World Green Economy Summit 2016 Opening Ceremony

Today third edition of world Green Economy Summit was launched by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Al bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed opening WGES 2016 and Helen Clark

In his speech during the opening ceremony, H.E. Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister for Climate Change and the Environment in the UAE emphasized that in order to transform the national economy to a green, sustainable and low-carbon economy, the responsibility must rest not only with the government, but also with the various segments of society and the concerned areas of development within the public and private sectors.

H.E. Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi

H.E. 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 said in his speech “This year’s Summit is held under the theme “Driving Global Green Economy” to promote Dubai’s leading position as a global capital of green economy and a model to follow in terms of achieving the highest standards of energy efficiency and increasing the renewable energy share for the common good of all nations of the world, and to keep pace with the best global sustainable practices.

He also provided data regarding Clean Energy Strategy which aims to provide 7% of Dubai’s energy from clean energy sources by 2020, 25% by 2030 and 75% by 2050. The strategy is underpinned by a fore casted investment of more than USD 13 billion in the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which is the largest single-site solar park in the world, with a planned capacity of 5,00MW by 2030.

Donald Thomas

Donald Thomas a former astronaut of Nasa, a scientist and educator delivered a powerful speech and his point of view looking at our planet earth from outside our world. He highlighted how seeing beautiful things like Himalayas or great barrier reef or even Palm developments in Dubai. But at the same time seeing events like smoke coming out of amazon's rain forest after deforestation is concerning. In very simple words he pointed out 'What we do in one part of world it affects whole planet'

Akon

International Musician Akon talked about his journey fro entertainment to sustainability. He is involved in renewable energy work in Africa through his Lighting Africa project, which provide accessible, solar, clean energy solutions in African countries.


Helen Clark, Administrator, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), thanked H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashed Al Maktoum for his visionary leadership. We need leadership like this in every country in the world.

Keynote Speakers at WGES 2016 opening ceremony with Solar Decathlon 2018 participant universities

Dubai was announced as the host of the first two rounds of the Solar Decathlon in 2018, and again in 2020, to coincide with World Expo in Dubai, and preparations are already well underway. The Solar Decathlon’s Director, Richard King, then addressed audiences before the competition teams were welcomed on stage: “Since we started in 2002, the Solar Decathlon has helped educate 130 collegiate teams involving nearly 20,000 students and faculty. It has expanded to Europe, China, and Latin America to involve an additional 94 teams and 12,000 participants, and now the Middle East – right here in Dubai! We are honoured to be a part of this important Summit, and we will do our part to help ‘Drive the Global Green Economy’.”