The organising committee of the fourth edition of the World Green Economy Summit, WGES 2017, organised a press conference on Thursday at Emirates Towers Hotel to announce the completion of preparations for holding the summit as part of affirming the UAE’s efforts in sustainable development and supporting Dubai’s position as the global capital of green economy.

Held under the patronage of Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the fourth edition of WGES 2017 is set to be held on 24th and 25th October at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre under the theme ‘Driving Innovation, Leading Change.’ The press conference was attended by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al-Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment , and Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy in Dubai, Managing Director and CEO of DEWA, and Chairman of WGES.

It also witnessed the presence of Ahmed Buti Al Muhairbi, Secretary-General of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, Ahmad bin Shafar, Chief Executive Officer of the Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation, and some government officials.

During the press conference, Dr. Al-Zeyoudi affirmed that the WGES has established itself as a major annual event, locally and internationally, to manage the global dialogue on a green economy. This is thanks to the support of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, and the efforts being made by DEWA and its partners to transform Dubai into a global capital for a green economy in line with His Highness' vision, he said.

He further added that this global event represents an ideal platform that attracts business leaders, policy-makers and decision-makers in different sectors each year to crystallise visions and ideas that would further enhance exerted efforts to accelerate the transformation of the global economy into a sustainable and low-carbon economy.

He noted that since the adoption of the green economy-approach under the UAE Green Growth Strategy 2012, the country has made significant progress towards achieving a green economy. This is best reflected by the growing and widespread interest of the public and private sectors in this strategy, including finance and investment sectors and the academic community.

"Now, we have an advanced implementation mechanism for the strategy and national green agenda up to 2030, which through its national programmes and initiatives, represents a roadmap for the transformation process. This strategy has become a key pillar and an important tool in our future initiatives and strategies, in particular, the UAE National Climate Change Plan adopted by the Cabinet last June," Al-Zeyoudi added.

He expressed confidence that this summit, like previous editions, would give additional momentum to the national and international efforts being made to transform the global economy into a sustainable, low-carbon green economy.

"This laudable initiative event, first held in 2014, is aimed at promoting sustainable development and building a green society. In the past few years, the World Green Economy Summit has served as an indispensable element in driving the green economy for a better future for us and for generations to come. We will continue our efforts to further boost our achievements and success.

"The World Green Economy Summit is well in line with the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum , to boost sustainable development in the country and reaffirm Dubai’s position as a global capital of green economy," Al Tayer added.

Source: Wam