Global policy and business leaders, today will convene in the capital of the UAE for the first official day of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2016 (ADSW), the largest gathering on sustainability in the history of the Middle East. 

Attracting more than 33,000 delegates, including over 80 government ministers and visitors from 170 countries, ADSW – hosted by Masdar, Abu Dhabi's renewable energy company – addresses the interconnected challenges of energy and water security, climate change and sustainable development. ADSW 2016 is anchored on four key pillars: policy, business, leadership and awareness/research. 

The week officially begins Saturday (16 January) with the 6th General Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), a key event in the policy pillar. Permanent Representative of the UAE to IRENA Dr Thani Al-Zeyoudi, said, "The global community took important steps in 2015 to advance sustainability issues with the adoption of the Sustainable Development Agenda and the Paris Agreement on climate change. Today, global leaders arrive in the UAE for Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week to take the next step in moving the sustainable development agenda forward." 

Today, IRENA hosted the Legislators Forum 2016 as the first event of its kind. It facilitated dialogue between legislators on the deployment of renewables and critical elements of the energy transformation underway in countries around the world. 

ADSW will host its Joint Opening Ceremony, followed immediately by the Awards Ceremony of the 8th edition of the Zayed Future Energy Prize. Monday will also feature Abu Dhabi Global Action Day. This conference is aimed at turning the ambitious goals of the Paris Climate Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development into practical and innovative policy, investment, technology and partnership solutions, with a focus on identifying actions that can be taken by both the public and private sectors. 

Dr Ahmad Belhoul, CEO of Masdar, commented, "Masdar is proud to once again host Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. While there is no silver bullet to the challenges of sustainable development, these challenges represent a compelling economic opportunity – leading to more jobs, innovation and prosperity. 

ADSW 2016 will represent an important platform for the business community to cement the partnerships and collaborative initiatives that will promote sustainable development and the adoption of renewable energy." 

Source: WAM