GLOBAL PIONEERS FOCUS ON CLEAN ENERGY SOLUTIONS
We look forward to working with our partners to find solutions that will help achieve the happiness of the people.”
The UAE continues to play a leading role in stimulating various initiatives that serve humanity and achieve stability.”
Today, it is clear that the UAE has become a key convener of the global sustainability conversation.”
Our solutions enable water sustainability through total management of the water cycle.”
With the prize money, we will scale up our reach as we work towards the vision to end malnutrition in Africa.”
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed
175 Countries are represented at ADSW
UAE leaders on Monday inaugurated the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) that focuses on finding effective, clean and renewable energy solutions to create a better future for the world.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, attended the opening ceremony.
The event, considered the largest sustainability gathering in the Middle East,is focused on developing the world’s understanding of social, economic and environmental issues linked to sustainable development. It is set to run until January 19.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said on Twitter: “Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week is a platform that brings together experts from across the world to the UAE to discuss innovative ideas and find a sustainable approach aimed at building a sustainable world that will provide the future generations with clean energy, water and food.
“We look forward to working with our partners around the world to find suitable solutions that will help achieve happiness and comfort of the people to ensure their future and that of the future generations around the world.”
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed also tweeted: “The UAE, under the leadership of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, supports global efforts to achieve the goals of the ‘Global Sustainability Agenda’ and continues to play a leading role in stimulating various initiatives that serve humanity and achieve stability and prosperity for countries and societies. This is in line with the approach of the UAE founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.”
In his opening remarks, Dr Sultan bin Ahmad Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State and chairman of Masdar, said this year would be crucial for sustainable development globally.
“Over the last decade, the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week has developed in size, representing 175 countries. Today, it is clear that the UAE has become a key convener of the global sustainability conversation,” he said.
Al Jaber added: “The UAE has injected confidence in renewable energy and strengthened diversified solar energy projects within the region and beyond our borders. We are building bridges across borders after bringing the public and private sectors together around a single common cause.”
Message from China
Delivering a message from Chinese President Xi Jinping, his special representative Yang Jiechi said China and the Gulf states are allies in ensuring environmental protection and promoting sustainable development.
“Countries need to work together on global development and make it more sustainable. With combined efforts, we shall meet the 2030 sustainability goals set by the United Nations,” said Jiechi.
“China will always work with the UAE and others to ensure a clean and beautiful world.”
He added: “For today’s China, green, low-carbon sustainable development has taken greater strides and has become an important part of a successful economic transformation.”
According to Jiechi, the ADSW is an incubator of new developmental ideas that can drive global progress.
This year’s ADSW edition is held under the theme ‘Industry Convergence: Accelerating Sustainable Development’. It is set to explore how industries are responding to the digital transformation in the global economy, which in turn is giving rise to new opportunities to address sustainability challenges.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed presented awards to the 10 winners of the Zayed Sustainability Prize in five categories — health, food, water, energy and global high schools.
They will be given Dh2.2 million each to promote their sustainability projects.
Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State
For a clean earth
Marcus Lim, co-founder and CEO of ECOSOFTT
Felix Brooks Church, founder and CEO of Sanku