Sultan Al Jaber: ADSW is an excellent opportunity for economic diversification and building sustainable and competitiveness capabilities

ABU DHABI, 28th January, 2016 (WAM) -- Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State and Chairman of Masdar, has confirmed that the meeting of the leaders and experts of the world during the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, ADSW, in the UAE, represents an unprecedented international consensus, especially in the in the wake of the adoption of the global Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Convention on Climate Change. Dr. Al Jaber noted that ADSW provided the first specialised international platform for decision-makers and private sector leaders to build on the successes achieved in 2015 in order to begin to translate this political consensus into concrete and tangible actions. He added, "In light of the close integration that we are witnessing today between market forces and political will, available economic opportunities now become obvious and clear to the whole world." He went on to say, "For us in the Gulf region we will continue in taking up our role as a trusted global provider of hydrocarbon resources of oil and gas for many years to come, as well as achieving our objectives in the field of renewable energy and providing more job opportunities, contributing to the creation of a flexible economy able to cope with the vagaries of the market and will support economic diversification efforts." Dr. Al Jaber stressed that sustainable development is a key factor to achieving economic prosperity and social development along with its role in reducing the consequences of climate change. He noted that the UAE has so far taken a leading and advanced role in the field of sustainable development and it is necessary to continue to play this role to strengthen its position as a role model for other countries to follow, pointing out, in this context, the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, which highlighted the importance that is attached by our wise leadership to the efforts of economic diversification and building sustainable and competitiveness capabilities. He said that the UAE has already made great strides in terms of economic diversification, as the non-oil sectors contribute about two-thirds of the GDP of the state, making the country a leader in many other sectors, besides the energy sector. The UAE has established its position in the fields of financial services, urban development, infrastructure, logistics and aviation and industry, tourism and many others, noting that the common factor for success in all of these sectors is innovation and research. He said, highlighting the importance of innovation as a catalyst for entrepreneurship and enhancing the competitiveness, that the "Year of Innovation" initiative has been launched and also the "Innovation Week" has been approved officially encompassing events pertaining to culture and business events in the state. Dr. Al Jaber said, "We will continue in the UAE to build on the achievements accomplished through Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, motivating and empowering decision-makers and private sector leaders to open horizons towards a more sustainable future. – Emirates News Agency, WAM -http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395290795306.html