The Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit (GMIS) kicked off in Dubai with two pivotal announcements - World Industrial Day and Climate Action Initiative - in collaboration with UAE-based venture capital firm,VentureSouq.

 

The announcement was made at the GMIS Special Event held at the UAE Pavilion within the Blue Zone of COP28 to lead talks to decarbonise industries and advance climate action.

 

Namir Hourani, Managing Director of the GMIS, opened the day with two pivotal announcements of World Industrial Day and Climate Action Initiative, in the presence of Gerd Müller, Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and Omar Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology.

 

Emphasising the significance of these initiatives, Hourani said: "The summit has been a committed advocate for harnessing the power of innovation to accelerate the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs) and promote global good. World Industrial Day and Climate Action Initiative, mark a significant step towards building a better future during this critical decade that demands bold climate action."

 

"As we navigate COP28, let us unite in our commitment to turn ambitions into action, pledges into purposeful progress, and innovation into scalable solutions. And together let’s build a greener and sustainable future for all," he stated.

 

The GMIS Special Event drew the participation of high-profile delegates from the Blue Zone including leaders, from governments, the private sector, academia, and international organistaion. 

 

Held under COP28 UAE’s thematic day for Energy and Industry, Just Transition, and Indigenous People, the event was held on December 5 at the UAE Pavilion within the Blue Zone of COP28 UAE. 

 

The Climate Action Initiative aims to create an ecosystem that fosters innovation, delivering sustainable impact at scale. 

Unido will play a crucial role in identifying overarching global challenges while the GMIS will invite start-ups from around the world to find innovative and sustainable solutions to these challenges. 

 

In collaboration with incubators and accelerators, the summit will provide mentorship and support to the most promising innovators, while Venture Souq will aid in the development, scaling and deployment of these solutions. 

Furthermore, the UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology and the UNIDO International Technology and Promotion Offices will help commercialise and deploy these solutions where they are needed most.

 

Sonia Weymuller, Founding Partner at VentureSouq, said: "Our collaboration with the Climate Action Initiative alongside the GMIS underscores the transformative power of innovation and the critical role of startups in driving climate action. 

"By collaborating on this groundbreaking endeavour, we aim to empower these startups to scale their impactful solutions, paving the way for a sustainable future that addresses global challenges," he noted. 

 

The GMIS Special Event featured insightful discussions with Dorothy McAuliffe, Special Representative for Global Partnerships at the United States Department of State, highlighting the pivotal role of public-private partnerships in driving sustainable industrial development during a fireside chat with Danny Sebright, President of the US-UAE Business Council.

 

Special Representative McAuliffe said: "Governments need the private sector's expertise, technological innovation and resources. Similarly, the private sector needs the government's ability to implement relevant policies that catalyse sustainable manufacturing and development and facilitate collaboration to bring private and public financing instruments together."

 

Roger Martella, Chief Sustainability Officer of General Electric and Michael Train, Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer of Emerson, was joined by Lorena Dellagiovanna, Senior Vice President, Chief Sustainability Officer and CDEIO of Hitachi and Jillian Evanlko, President, CEO and Director of Chart Industries on a panel titled Powering the Future: Innovations in Renewable Energy to explore the challenges and opportunities of integrating renewable energy into the manufacturing sector.

 

Speaking on behalf of Dr. Sidi Ould Tah, President of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), Fatima Elsheikh, Strategic Advisor of BADEA, kicked off the second panel on Advancing the Climate Agenda: The Role of the 5IR in Transforming Industries, with a keynote speech. 

 

Moderated by Mattie Yeta, Chief Sustainability Officer of CGI, the session analysed the potential of the 5th Industrial Revolution to transform hard-to-abate sectors, featuring insights from Alessandro Bresciani, Senior Vice President for Climate Technology Solutions at Baker Hughes; James Dorris, CEO of Odys Aviation, Omar Al Mahmoud, Chief Executive Officer of ICT Fund; and Prof. Dr. Estelle L.A. Herlyn, Member of the Board for Global Energy Solutions.

 

Weixi Gong, Chief, Division of Investment and Technology Promotion Offices & Institutional Partnerships for UNIDO, delivered closing remarks, wrapping up a high-impact event supporting COP28’s Climate Action Agenda.-TradeArabia News Service