Global leaders in government and business are gathering for the official opening of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW)  in the UAE capital today (January 16).

Taking place on the theme “Practical steps towards a sustainable future”, this year’s ADSW is expected to receive 38,000 attendees representing 175 countries, including five heads of state, more than 80 government ministers, and 880 exhibiting companies from 40 countries.

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, hosted by Masdar, is a global platform addressing the interconnected challenges and opportunities of sustainable development, renewable energy and water security. Held every January under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the event is based on the key pillars of Policy, Leadership, Business, Academic Research, and Community Awareness.

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2017 began with two key policy events: the Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum on January 12 and13, held in partnership with the UAE Ministry of Energy, and the 5th General Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency, on January 14 and15.

As part of the week, the 10th World Future Energy Summit (WFES) opens tomorrow at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec). WFES drives the business case for sustainability, and is now firmly established as a leading global platform for turning renewable energy goals into business opportunities.

Held under the theme of ‘Sustaining the Clean Energy Consensus; Empowering New Players’, WFES 2017 will bring together the world’s leading technology providers, government delegations, innovators, and thought leaders.

Tomorrow’s ADSW opening ceremony is immediately followed by the Awards Ceremony of the 9th edition of the Zayed Future Energy Prize. The afternoon programme is dedicated to Abu Dhabi Global Action Day, a high-level conference aimed at turning the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development into practical and innovative solutions in policy, investment, technology and partnerships – with a focus on the steps to be taken by both government and business.

The opening ceremony, presidential keynotes and Global Action Day programme on January 16 will include five heads of state. Addressing delegates at the ceremony will be Nursultan Nazarbayev, President of Kazakhstan. Also in attendance will be Horacio Cartes, President of Paraguay and Maithripala Sirisena, President of Sri Lanka.

Keynotes will also be given by Luis Guillermo Solís, President of Costa Rica; Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Prime Minister of Nepal; and Filip Vujanović, President of Montenegro. Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment (MoCCE), will open Global Action Day.

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, chief executive officer of Masdar, said: “Having marked our 10th anniversary last year, we are proud to host ADSW as we embark on the next 10 years of our success in the UAE and international markets. ADSW 2017 is one of the first global platforms to debate the outcomes of COP22 in Marrakech, and to take further action to adopt renewable energy, clean technologies and sustainable development following the ratification of the Paris Agreement. It is also a gateway to the opportunities of the Middle East & North Africa, today one of the fastest growing and most cost-competitive markets for renewable energy and clean technology.”

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week hosts the World Future Energy Summit, which this year marks its 10th anniversary, the 5th International Water Summit, and EcoWaste.

More than half of the exhibiting companies are small and medium sized business (SMEs) from leading clean-tech nations including Germany, France, Japan, the United States and the UK, further illustrating the commercial dynamism and growing maturity of the sector.

“ADSW 2017 will shed light on the practical steps needed to unlock further expansion of the renewable energy and clean technologies sectors, and to deliver sustainable solutions in water and waste,” added Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi of Masdar.  - TradeArabia News Service