ID :
101104
Tue, 01/19/2010 - 14:56
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/101104
The shortlink copeid
World Future Energy Summit 2010 kicks off in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, Jan 19, 2010 (WAM)- The 3rd edition of the World Future Energy Summit was inaugurated yesterday at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre by HH General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
More than 3,000 people attended the opening ceremony today, with speeches being delivered by President of Greece Karolos Papoulias, President of the Maldives Mohammad Nasheed, Prime Minister of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato' Sri Mohamad Najib Tun Abdul Razak, Crown Prince of Spain Felipe De Borbon Y Grecia, and Crown Prince Frederik Andr Henrik Christian of Denmark.
The summit, hosted by Abu Dhabi's Masdar, has also brought together a large number of policy makers, experts and investors from 100 countries to identify and explore real and future solutions for today's climate change and energy challenges.
Along with the summit, over 600 exhibitors from 50 countries are exhibiting innovative technologies in renewable, alternative and sustainable energies at the World Future Energy and Environment Exhibitions on a total space of 40,000sqm offering an unrivalled business and networking opportunities to over 20,000 attendees that organizers of the event expect to visit the summit and the exhibition.
In his keynote speech, Sultan Al Jaber, CEO of Masdar, said this high-profile presence the 3rd World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi is a testament to the Summit's ongoing success and the continued global importance renewable energy and energy efficiency in mitigating climate change.
"Over the past year, we all have faced the challenges of the economic downturn. Nonetheless, renewable energy maintains its relevance and continues to make absolute sense," Al-Jaber said.
He noted the establishment of the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) as the world's first inter-governmental agency fully dedicated to renewable energy.
Through the efforts of the wise and visionary leadership of the UAE and the ongoing support of the IRENA member states, we are privileged to have been selected to host the IRENA headquarters in Abu Dhabi.
"As the host country, we (in the UAE) are fully committed to facilitating the establishment of IRENA and help it achieve its objectives." With 142 member states, IRENA is a true reflection of the global commitment to ensuring the widespread adoption of renewable energy across developed and developing nations, he remarked.
He noted that estimates put the total investments in the renewable energy sector, US$ 155 billion, and a fourfold increase from 2004.
He also noted significant strides were made at local, regional levels with the development of policies to promote renewable energy generation. In Abu Dhabi, Al-Jaber said, Masdar continued its steady progress in developing various projects.
He warned that with the world population going to 9 billion by 2050, the world's energy doubling, CO2 emissions rising and the planet's temperature increasing, "we cannot afford to falter." This, he stressed, we must urgently make progress on the renewable energy solutions and the implementation of energy efficiency measures to help meet our energy requirements and to address the threats posed by global climate change.
He urged governments to policies to set and regulations and the academia to focus its efforts to developing and improving renewable energy technologies while cultivating the required human capital to initiate a meaningful action.
He also urged for mutual-benefit collaborations between the private and public sectors.
"Governments should establish policies and frameworks that encourage the private sector to develop new ideas and solutions." "The time is now.. It is our responsibility and duty to shape out energy future and the future of energy lies in the combined efforts of the governments, academia and the private sector." Abu Dhabi provides an open global platform for relevant cooperation and dialogue.
In his speech, President of Greece Karolos Papoulias urged for more global efforts to fight climate change, boost energy security and combat inequality stressing that the adoption of renewables is set to play a significant social role and contribute to making energy more "democratic".
Democratisation of energy, he added, will give smaller countries a wider role and a stronger say for medium sized businesses which drive the competiveness of Europe's economies.
Papoulias stressed that renewables are the only credible solution to the issue of depleting traditional energy sources. He noted that Greece is turning its direction towards green and clean energy, calling for global concerted and joint action to face energy issues.
For his part, President of the Maldives Mohammad Nasheed cited the possible disappearance of coral reefs in his country and the rising sea levels as dangers that call for immediate action to limit the dire consequences of climate change on the environment of Earth.
He further said climate change is different from other changes such as trade and disarmament in that "we don't have enough time to face it.
Nasheed also criticised the outcome of the Climate Change Conference Copenhagen 2009 as not enough and unsatisfactory, expressing regret that the world still does not have all the technologies needed to face climate change. He also expressed belief that there are certain powers which have interest in impeding such global efforts.
However, he expressed belief that "smart money is green money".
Prime Minister of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan` focused on the critical and sensitive issue of energy security which has become even more visible with the rising world's population. He stressed that global security could be boosted by increasing energy efficiency and bigger investments in clean energy.
Erdogan stressed that politicians are obliged now to provide a "liveable world" for future generations where all countries should play a role in minimizing gas and CO2 emissions.
The Turkish leader urged for making energy a tool for cooperation and not competition. He noted that Turkey is already involved in current and planned gas pipelines to carry gas to Turkey, Greece and Europe from Qatar and the Caspian Sea, projects that he believes will provide historic opportunities in the future.
Turkey, he noted, has succeeded in making renewables account for 20% of its total energy intake and has plans to double the percentage to 40% by the year 2023.
Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato' Sri Mohamad Najib Tun Abdul Razak, lambasted the failure of the Copenhagen climate summit late last year to see opportunities. He cited a famous quote by Mahatma Gandhi: "Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed".
He further said that the world can do better to ensure the health and safety of the Earth, warning that without changing to current governmental energy policies could lead to reliance on fossil fuel and therefore to dire consequences, energy-wise and climate-wise..
Abdul Razak called for making energy efficiency a culture and a way of life, citing, as a jumpstart, efficient lighting bulbs which could save around 40 terawatt per year around the world and prevent the emission of around 25 million tonnes of CO2 per year into the air.
He further noted that Malaysia is planning to generate 2000 mega watt of electricity from renewables, compared with the current capacity of a mere 50 mega watt.
More than 3,000 people attended the opening ceremony today, with speeches being delivered by President of Greece Karolos Papoulias, President of the Maldives Mohammad Nasheed, Prime Minister of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato' Sri Mohamad Najib Tun Abdul Razak, Crown Prince of Spain Felipe De Borbon Y Grecia, and Crown Prince Frederik Andr Henrik Christian of Denmark.
The summit, hosted by Abu Dhabi's Masdar, has also brought together a large number of policy makers, experts and investors from 100 countries to identify and explore real and future solutions for today's climate change and energy challenges.
Along with the summit, over 600 exhibitors from 50 countries are exhibiting innovative technologies in renewable, alternative and sustainable energies at the World Future Energy and Environment Exhibitions on a total space of 40,000sqm offering an unrivalled business and networking opportunities to over 20,000 attendees that organizers of the event expect to visit the summit and the exhibition.
In his keynote speech, Sultan Al Jaber, CEO of Masdar, said this high-profile presence the 3rd World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi is a testament to the Summit's ongoing success and the continued global importance renewable energy and energy efficiency in mitigating climate change.
"Over the past year, we all have faced the challenges of the economic downturn. Nonetheless, renewable energy maintains its relevance and continues to make absolute sense," Al-Jaber said.
He noted the establishment of the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) as the world's first inter-governmental agency fully dedicated to renewable energy.
Through the efforts of the wise and visionary leadership of the UAE and the ongoing support of the IRENA member states, we are privileged to have been selected to host the IRENA headquarters in Abu Dhabi.
"As the host country, we (in the UAE) are fully committed to facilitating the establishment of IRENA and help it achieve its objectives." With 142 member states, IRENA is a true reflection of the global commitment to ensuring the widespread adoption of renewable energy across developed and developing nations, he remarked.
He noted that estimates put the total investments in the renewable energy sector, US$ 155 billion, and a fourfold increase from 2004.
He also noted significant strides were made at local, regional levels with the development of policies to promote renewable energy generation. In Abu Dhabi, Al-Jaber said, Masdar continued its steady progress in developing various projects.
He warned that with the world population going to 9 billion by 2050, the world's energy doubling, CO2 emissions rising and the planet's temperature increasing, "we cannot afford to falter." This, he stressed, we must urgently make progress on the renewable energy solutions and the implementation of energy efficiency measures to help meet our energy requirements and to address the threats posed by global climate change.
He urged governments to policies to set and regulations and the academia to focus its efforts to developing and improving renewable energy technologies while cultivating the required human capital to initiate a meaningful action.
He also urged for mutual-benefit collaborations between the private and public sectors.
"Governments should establish policies and frameworks that encourage the private sector to develop new ideas and solutions." "The time is now.. It is our responsibility and duty to shape out energy future and the future of energy lies in the combined efforts of the governments, academia and the private sector." Abu Dhabi provides an open global platform for relevant cooperation and dialogue.
In his speech, President of Greece Karolos Papoulias urged for more global efforts to fight climate change, boost energy security and combat inequality stressing that the adoption of renewables is set to play a significant social role and contribute to making energy more "democratic".
Democratisation of energy, he added, will give smaller countries a wider role and a stronger say for medium sized businesses which drive the competiveness of Europe's economies.
Papoulias stressed that renewables are the only credible solution to the issue of depleting traditional energy sources. He noted that Greece is turning its direction towards green and clean energy, calling for global concerted and joint action to face energy issues.
For his part, President of the Maldives Mohammad Nasheed cited the possible disappearance of coral reefs in his country and the rising sea levels as dangers that call for immediate action to limit the dire consequences of climate change on the environment of Earth.
He further said climate change is different from other changes such as trade and disarmament in that "we don't have enough time to face it.
Nasheed also criticised the outcome of the Climate Change Conference Copenhagen 2009 as not enough and unsatisfactory, expressing regret that the world still does not have all the technologies needed to face climate change. He also expressed belief that there are certain powers which have interest in impeding such global efforts.
However, he expressed belief that "smart money is green money".
Prime Minister of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan` focused on the critical and sensitive issue of energy security which has become even more visible with the rising world's population. He stressed that global security could be boosted by increasing energy efficiency and bigger investments in clean energy.
Erdogan stressed that politicians are obliged now to provide a "liveable world" for future generations where all countries should play a role in minimizing gas and CO2 emissions.
The Turkish leader urged for making energy a tool for cooperation and not competition. He noted that Turkey is already involved in current and planned gas pipelines to carry gas to Turkey, Greece and Europe from Qatar and the Caspian Sea, projects that he believes will provide historic opportunities in the future.
Turkey, he noted, has succeeded in making renewables account for 20% of its total energy intake and has plans to double the percentage to 40% by the year 2023.
Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato' Sri Mohamad Najib Tun Abdul Razak, lambasted the failure of the Copenhagen climate summit late last year to see opportunities. He cited a famous quote by Mahatma Gandhi: "Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed".
He further said that the world can do better to ensure the health and safety of the Earth, warning that without changing to current governmental energy policies could lead to reliance on fossil fuel and therefore to dire consequences, energy-wise and climate-wise..
Abdul Razak called for making energy efficiency a culture and a way of life, citing, as a jumpstart, efficient lighting bulbs which could save around 40 terawatt per year around the world and prevent the emission of around 25 million tonnes of CO2 per year into the air.
He further noted that Malaysia is planning to generate 2000 mega watt of electricity from renewables, compared with the current capacity of a mere 50 mega watt.
