DEWA Confirms Key Summit Partners & Launches “Dubai Green Week”

• WGES & IRENA ink partnership agreement
• Expo 2020 Chair and UNPD Director among key note speakers

29 January, 2014, Dubai, United Arab Emirates: The “World Green Economy Summit” (WGES) planned to be held in Dubai in April 15 and 16th, has confirmed a  prestigious list of  global partners and influential speakers according to HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA). “The global interest that we witnessed following the announcement of organizing the “World Green Economy Summit” is demonstrated in the prominent global organizations contributing to the program and the speakers being leaders of finance, business, thinkers and policy makers who have achieved remarkable success all over the world”. Said Al Tayer in a press conference held yesterday in Dubai to announce new global partners and speakers.

H.E. Dr. Thani Al – Zeyoudi, Director, Directorate of Energy and Climate Change at Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sayed Aqa, UNDP Resident Representative in the United Arab Emirates and Adnan Amin, Director-General International Renewable Energy Agency – IRENA, delivered short speeches in support of the WGES 2014 and the later signed a partnership agreement with Al Tayer putting IRENA among other global organizations like UNDP, State of Green and Regions 20, supporting the summit.

Amongst those due to speak at the two day event are; His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and Her Excellency Helen Clark, Director of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Former Prime Minister of New Zealand. “I'm pleased to announce new partnerships that support the “World Green Economy Summit” and look to this leading initiative in the Middle East and North Africa region as a demonstration of the leadership and excellence of Dubai, which seeks not only to become a smart and green city but also to become an incubator of innovation to enhance the efficient use of resources and pave the way for youth to effectively participate in the transition to a green economy.” Said Al Tayer as he listed Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and the Global Buildings Performance Network as new partners. He also reiterated that hosting the World Green Economy Summit, is in line with the UAE national strategy “Green Economy
for Sustainable Development” launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, Ruler of Dubai, with the aim to make the UAE a world leader in the field of green economy and a global hub for the export and re- export of green products and technologies.

Al Tayer also highlighted the announced a new initiative by DEWA, to organize one week of green events in Dubai under the theme “Dubai Green Week” from 13th to 17th April 2014, to be held annually and coincide with both WETEX and the “World Green Economy Summit.“ Specialized forums and events will be held with the aim to increase participation from all segments of society, particularly young entrepreneurs, university students and the media among others. The activities and events of “Dubai Green Week” will be announced in the coming weeks” said Al Tayer.

Pointing out that the summit program is co-developed with a high profile advisory board, Waleed Salman, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the organizing committee stated that leading executives and leaders are engaged in putting together a comprehensive program that will address the entire green economy framework. “ The WGES 2014 program has five pillars , namely : Green Regulation,  Green Finance,  Green Innovation, Green Partnerships and Green Marketplace. We aim to raise and find innovative solutions for all  fundamental questions” said Salman.  ‘The summit platform will drive collaboration and partnerships to accelerate the transition to a green economy and create a Green Economy Market Place in the region” He added.