Abu Dhabi, UAE; January 15,2014: Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) will welcome an estimated 30,000 attendees at more than 30 events from January 18-25, making it one of the largest global gatherings to datededicated to the wider adoption of renewable energies and sustainable development.
Over seven days in the UAE capital, decision makers from government, industry, academia and civil society will address some of the world’s most urgent energy and sustainability challenges, including the economics of renewable energies, the effects of water scarcity, and the impact on the environment and natural resources of population growth and our ever expanding cities.
Further raising Abu Dhabi’s profile as a global platform to address issues at the heart of the energy-water-and-waste nexus, ADSW 2014 is expected to attract attendees from 172 countries, up from 155 nations last year.
“With the World Future Energy Summit as its cornerstone, Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week will set a new benchmark both for attendee numbers – 30,000 up from 26,000 last year – and new initiatives launched,” said Naji El Haddad, WFES Show Director. “Crucially, the more than 30 events over the seven days of January 18-25 will open doors to the substantial commercial opportunities of sustainable development and renewable energy, as well as debate the necessary progress in policy and technology to achieve a sustainable future.”
Once again the World Future Energy Summit, now in its seventh year, will be the centerpiece of ADSW. Hosted by Masdarfrom January 20-22, WFES 2014 will stage a three-day conference and large-scale exhibition, with new and expanded features including the Sustainable Living Expo, the Project and Finance Village, and the Green Careers Fair.
Co-located with WFES and also hosted by Masdar will be the 2nd International Water Summit and the inaugural EcoWASTE exhibition. An original global forum advocating water sustainability in arid regions, IWS 2014 will feature the Sustainable Water Solutions Village, aimed at raising awareness of more sustainable agricultural practices and the available funding to help adopt them.
The first EcoWASTE exhibition is a specialised event for the sustainable waste management and recycling sector, and is set to host 50 local and international suppliers and 2,000 industry professionals, including buyers and technical experts.
Around 125 speakers will address this year’s WFES conference programme, which begins with the Global Leaders’ Summit on Day One, followed by global and Middle East perspective on the present and future landscape for renewable energies on Day Two, and a final day session dedicated to next-generation sustainable energy technologies.
Notable speakers include Jeffrey Sachs, director of the Earth Institute, Columbia University; ChristofRühl, Chief Economist of BP Global; Marie-Jose Nadeau, President, World Energy Council; Santiago Seage, Chairman and CEO of Abengoa Solar; Jos Verbeek, Lead Economist, Development Prospects Group at the World Bank; James Cameron, Founder and Executive Chairman of Climate Change Capital; and Bernard Clement, Senior Vice President for New Energies & Operations, Total.
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week will include more than 30 events across a variety of platforms, from high-level discussions to public awareness campaigns. New this year will be the Renewable Energy Jobs Conference, hosted on Jan 21 by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), which will gather private and public sector experts to share knowledge, experience and best practice on converting renewable energy investment into secure employment opportunities.
Also on January 21, China Day will celebrate China’s recent membership of IRENA and growing status in the renewable energies sector, encouraging greater collaboration in renewable energy projects in MENA and international markets.
ADSW 2014 will also stagethe first Blue Economy Summit, organised by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Republic of Seychelles, to focus attention on policy frameworks for the conservation of oceans and the sustainable development of ocean-linked communities.
Outside the exhibitions halls, The Festival @ Masdar City from January 24-25will take the sustainability message into the community, with food stands, market stalls and family entertainment promoting sustainable living to UAE residents.
The 7th annual World Future Energy Summit, the 2nd International Water Summit and the inaugural EcoWASTE exhibition, all hosted by Masdar, take place from January 20-22 at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.
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About Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW)
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week is an annual platform that addresses the interconnected challenges impacting the widespread adoption of renewable energy and the acceleration of sustainable development. It is the largest gathering on sustainability in the Middle East, which this year will attract more than 30,000 attendees from 172 countries. For more information, visit www.abudhabisustainabilityweek.com
About Masdar
Masdar is Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company advancing the development, commercialisation and deployment of clean energy technologies and solutions. The company serves as a link between today’s fossil fuel economy and the energy economy of the future. Wholly owned by the Mubadala Development Company PJSC, the strategic investment company of the Government of Abu Dhabi, Masdar is dedicated to the Emirate’s long-term vision for the future of energy. For more information, visit www.masdar.ae
World Future Energy Summit
Held under the patronage of H.H General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the 7th edition of the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) runs from January 20-22, 2014 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre onthe theme of ‘Powering the Future of Energy Innovation and Investment’.
Since its inception in 2008, WFES has grown to become the leading discussion platform for renewable energy, clean technology and sustainability, and it is now considered the preeminent international event for government and industry decision makers to find viable, sustainable solutions to the world’s growing energy challenges.
Hosted by Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, WFES 2014 is the centrepiece of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, the largest ever gathering on sustainability in the Middle East. The event comprises a world-class conference that offers an unparalleled forum for political, business and intellectual debate and a large-scale exhibition which promotes networking and transactions between manufacturers, suppliers and customers across both the public and private sectors. For more information, visit www.worldfutureenergysummit.com
Organised by Reed Exhibitions, WFES 2014 is co-located with 2nd International Water Summit (www.iwsabudhabi.com) and the first EcoWASTE exhibition (www.ecowaste.ae).
For further information on WFES please contact:
Naji El Haddad
Show Director – WFES
Email: naji.haddad@reedexpo.ae
T: (+971) 2 4090 499
