Leading experts, government officials and key industry players from the global energy industry will discuss environment, energy and sustainability issues at a major industry event to be held in Duai next month.

The second Dubai Global Energy Forum (DGEF 2013) is being organised by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy under the theme ‘Clean Energy for Sustainable Development.’

The event, which runs from April 15 to 17 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, promises to be a major platform for debate in the global clean energy sector.
 
Unveiling the details, Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, the vice chairman of the Supreme Council, said, "The objectives of the forum align with our leadership’s vision and support the national long term initiative of 'Green Economy for Sustainable Development,’ which aims to position the UAE as one of the pioneers in sustainability."

“Clean energy is a key driver for sustainable development, and we must therefore examine the issue and discuss its many aspects in an effort to reach the best possible solutions in supplying clean energy from across the different sources available. We must also consider our environment, which must be placed at the forefront of our priorities through reducing our carbon emissions from fossil fuels,” stated Al Tayer.

According to him, Dubai has been placing considerable emphasis on facilitating the global development of clean energy in order to promote sustainable development.

Last year Dubai became the first city to host the World Energy Forum (WEF) outside the United Nations headquarters in New York.

Under the theme ‘A Forum for World Leaders’, WEF 2012 had discussed the need for the development of safe, sustainable energy for the entire world as a means of driving continued socio-economic growth, said Al Tayer.

With energy supply an essential requirement for growth and progress, the forum concluded with the signing of the Dubai Declaration, which affirmed the commitment of world leaders and key decision makers to the cause of sustainable energy. It was also decided that 22 October will be the official World Energy Day, he added.

DGEF’s objectives are aligned with the recommendations of the Rio+20 United Nations conference, held under the theme ‘The Future We Want,’ which drew a roadmap for global sustainable development based on the principles of a Green Economy.

"Following the success of the first Forum held in 2011, which included keynote speeches from Dr Mohamed ElBaradei, former director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005 and Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, the former Indian President, DGEF 2013 will attract an even greater number of experts, government officials and key industry players, and promises to be a major platform for debate in the global clean energy sector," said Al Tayer.

According to him, the forum will facilitate discussion of key energy, environment and sustainability issues, alongside how to encourage investment in green projects, ways to reduce energy and water consumption through influencing consumer behaviour, current energy policies, and an outlook for this important sector.

The forum will also explore the latest solutions, technologies and investment opportunities for clean energy and sustainable development, he noted.

“We at the Supreme Council are focusing all our efforts on strengthening the capabilities of renewable energy sources at both a local and global level. In this regard, we have launched several renewable energy projects, such as the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park," remarked Al Tayer.
 
He pointed out that the initiative was in line with the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030, which seeks to diversify Dubai’s energy mix and make use of renewable energy sources to contribute a targeted 5 per cent of total energy generation by 2030, with nuclear energy providing a further 12 per cent, clean coal 12 per cent and the rest generated using gas.

"The Supreme Council also focuses on energy demand management, targeting a 30 per cent reduction in demand by 2030, which would result in a massive decrease in carbon emissions, another key topic to be discussed at the forum," he added.-TradeArabia News Service