Queen Rania for Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week

Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan will deliver a keynote speech during the launch of the inaugural Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) at the opening ceremony of the sixth annual World Future Energy Summit and first International Water Summit on January 15, Masdar, Abu Dhabi's renewable energy company, announced.

Queen Rania will join French President Francois Hollande as a keynote speaker at the inauguration of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week during the opening ceremony of the World Future Energy Summit and the International Water Summit on January 15.

Among the attendees are King Juan Carlos of Spain, the President of Iceland Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, Prime Minister of Serbia Ivica Dacic, Prime Minister of Montenegro Milo Djukanovic, and President of Mauritania Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, Masdar said in a press release.

Taking place January 13-17, ADSW is the largest gathering on sustainability in the history of the Middle East and will address the interconnected challenges that affect the global adoption of renewable energy, water security and sustainable development.

Queen Rania's participation at ADSW underscores the growing commitment to renewable energy and sustainable development by Jordan and other countries throughout the Middle East. Most recently, Jordan announced the region's first feed-in tariff to support domestic renewable energy production and growth in the sector. This innovative policy supports Jordan's National Energy Strategy, which calls for seven per cent of its electricity to come from renewable sources by 2015, rising to 10 percent by 2020.

The new strategy is expected to attract around $1.4 - $2.1 billion in investments through 2020. One of the first signs of this spur in investments is the "Let it Shine" project, which will see the installation of 1,000 homes with solar panels in the Tafila governorate as part of a public-private partnership.

Jordan is also taking steps to address its water challenge and create a sustainable economy. The government of Jordan has implemented a $8.3 billion national water strategy to sustainably manage its water resources and preserve water quality while pursuing economic growth. This year, three Jordanian companies are showcasing their energy and environmental projects at the World Future Energy Summit.

"It is an honour to have Queen Rania as a featured speaker at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week," CEO of Masdar, Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, said.

"Queen Rania is an influential voice and a strong advocate for sustainable development throughout the region. The Middle East, through a collaborative effort, has an opportunity to capitalise on the sustainable growth opportunities that renewable energy and clean technology have to offer."

 Uniting more than 30,000 participants from 150 countries, ADSW will gather leaders from academia, industry and government to tackle the business, technology and financial challenges required for sustainable development, renewable energy adoption as well as water and energy security.

ADSW will include five integrated events: the third general assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency; the sixth World Future Energy Summit; the International Renewable Energy Conference; the International Water Summit; and the fifth Zayed Future Energy Prize Awards Ceremony. A number of other events will also be taking place on the sidelines of ADSW, including the first energy ministerial of South American and Arab countries (ASPA).

ADSW positions the AE as a global hub for driving partnership, innovation and investment in the fields of water, energy and sustainability. Topics that will be addressed at ADSW include the challenges and opportunities facing renewable energy, the role of water and energy in economic growth, and the interplay between energy efficiency and renewable energy.

 

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