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28 March 2024

UN chief to launch energy summit in Abu Dhabi

Published
By WAM

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will return to the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) 2012 to launch the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All. This will be Ban Ki-moon's second consecutive year addressing heads of state and international delegates at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi.
 
The secretary-general's return to Abu Dhabi underscores the importance he places on energy issues, most notably his new ‘Sustainable Energy for All’ initiative. The secretary-general has set three objectives for his initiative to be achieved by 2030: ensure universal access to modern energy services; double the rate of improvement in energy efficiency; and double the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
 
"I commend the UAE for hosting this important event," said the secretary-general. "The World Future Energy Summit brings together the key stakeholders needed to make both the initiative and the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All a success

"I expect this summit to bring forth serious commitments to the ‘Sustainable Energy for All’ initiative -- commitments that reduce energy poverty, foster economic dynamism, and protect our planet," the secretary-general said. "That is why I am here, and why this initiative is among my top priorities", he added.

Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, CEO of Masdar and the UAE’s Special Envoy for Energy and Climate Change, said, "We are honoured to welcome the secretary-general to Abu Dhabi and WFES. His return is a clear indication of the importance the UN places on sustainable energy. It also underscores that the UAE is being recognised across the world as a catalyst and hub for sustainability, green growth, innovation, and energy efficiency.

"Achieving energy security through renewable energy and energy efficiency are the core of our strategy towards diversifying our energy mix in the UAE. Launching the ‘International Year of Sustainable Energy for All’ from Abu Dhabi at the World Future Energy Summit presents a perfect fit. We are honoured that the Secretary-General chose Abu Dhabi," he added.

The UAE has prioritised the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency.
 
In the past five years, it has broadened its energy portfolio to deploy renewable energy projects locally and internationally, including the 10MW solar plant in Masdar City, the largest in the region, Shams1, a concentrated solar power plant capable of generating 100MW of power, Gemasolar, 19.9MW concentrated solar power plant, the first commercial-scale plant in the world to apply central tower receiver and molten salt heat storage technology, and London Array, a 1GW off-shore wind farm.

Alongside his keynote address at the World Future Energy Summit, the Secretary- General is scheduled to deliver remarks to the 2nd Session of the Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irema) also taking place in Abu Dhabi on January 14-15.

More than 26,000 attendees, including 3,000 delegates, 650 exhibiting companies and 20 national pavilions, are expected to participate in the summit.