Abu Dhabi all set to host global green summit

Abu Dhabi - The event will address the inter-linked challenges of energy and water security, climate change and sustainable development.

Global policy and business leaders, including nine heads of states and governments, will attend in Abu Dhabi on Saturday the opening of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2016 (ADSW), the largest such gathering in the history of the Middle East.
ADSW, hosted by Masdar - Abu Dhabi's renewable energy company, will attract more than 33,000 delegates, including over 80 ministers and visitors from 170 countries.
The event will address the inter-linked challenges of energy and water security, climate change and sustainable development.
ADSW 2016, which runs till January 23, is anchored on four key pillars: policy, business, leadership and awareness/research.
The heads of states and governments who will attend the event, include Enrique Pena Nieto, President of Mexico; James Michel, President of Seychelles; Tommy Remengesau, President of Palau; Atifete Jahjaga, President of Kosovo; Tomislav Nikolie, President of Serbia; Muhammadu Buhari, President Nigeria; Henry Puna, Prime Minister of Cook Islands; and Abdelilah Benkirane, Prime Minister of Morocco.
The Mexican president will deliver the keynote address at the January 18 official opening ceremony.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will also address the summit.
"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," said Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, the UAE's Permanent Representative to the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena).
Dr Ahmad Belhoul, CEO of Masdar, said: "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."
The 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.
The event will also host the awards ceremony of the eighth edition of the Zayed Future Energy Prize and feature Abu Dhabi Global Action Day.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE