MD & CEO of DEWA receives UN Secretary-General's Envoy on South-South Cooperation

Dubai, UAE, 5 April 2016: HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has received Jorge Chediek, United Nations Secretary-General’s Envoy on South-South Cooperation.

Al Tayer highlighted DEWA’s fruitful cooperation with different UN programmes and organisations. This cooperation is key to establishing the sustainable development and exchanging expertise and best practices with others to achieve the shared aspirations for a better tomorrow.

“DEWA cooperates with the United Nations in different programmes and initiatives. These include the Carbon Ambassadors Programme, launched by the Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence and supported by DEWA and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It raises awareness among citizens and residents on sustainability and the importance of conserving resources and using them efficiently to enhance the green economy. The cooperation supports our efforts to achieve the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, to transform Dubai into an global hub for green economy, and a role model for energy efficiency, to support the UAE Vision 2021, and the Dubai Plan 2021,” said Al Tayer.

Al Tayer talked about the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, to produce 75% of Dubai’s energy from clean sources by 2050. He reviewed a number of DEWA’s mega projects including the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which is the largest single-site solar energy project in the world. The solar park will produce 5,000 MW by 2030, and will help reduce 6.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually, supporting Dubai Government’s green initiatives and programmes to reduce carbon emissions.

Al Tayer also highlighted the expansion of the M-Station power and desalination plant, the Hassyan clean coal power plant, and DEWA’s smart initiatives that contribute to the Smart Dubai initiative to transform Dubai into the smartest city in the world.

Al Tayer commended the strategic partnership between DEWA and UNDP, especially in preparing the State of Green Economy and the State of Sustainability reports. He highlighted DEWA’s competitive results and achievements as a result of adopting the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) across all its development projects.

Chediek commended DEWA’s efforts in promoting sustainability and green growth by diversifying the energy mix and increasing the share of clean and renewable energy. These efforts contribute to protecting the environment by reducing carbon emissions, and encourage green economy to achieve the sustainable development and create a business environment that encourages innovation and builds a knowledge-based economy.