HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Supreme Council of Energy, has confirmed at a press conference held at the Grand Hyatt hotel in Dubai, that the arrangements to host the World Energy Forum 2012 have now been finalized. The objective of hosting this forum accords with the directives of the wise leadership of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and his brother, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, and support his long-term initiative, Green Economy for Sustainable Development, in which the UAE aims to become a global leader in sustainability, and in alignment with the United Nations’ move to name 2012 the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All. The World Energy Forum 2012 will be held in for the first time outside the UN headquarters in New York, at the Dubai World Trade Centre between October 22 and 24 under the theme A Forum for World Leaders

Al Tayer revealed at the press conference attended by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Supreme Council of Energy, His Excellency Dr. Rashid Ahmed bin Fahad, Minister of Environment and Water, and Dr. Harold Hyun-Suk Oh, President of the World Energy Forum, that the Forum will be attended by more than 20 heads of state, more than 40 ministers , many officials and government delegations and more than 2,500 attendees, who will make this forum the most important global sustainability gathering this year. Attendees will discuss the need for safer and more sustainable energy for all the nations of the world, especially as energy is a crucial factor in driving sustainable development.

“The World Energy Forum intends to tackle the issues of achieving social equity and face the challenges that face the world, including poverty, the lack of electricity for 1.5 billion people, and the effects of this on all aspects of development –like education, health and infrastructure,” said Al Tayer.

“In order to commemorate this historic event taking place in Dubai, the Supreme Council of Energy, in collaboration with the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates, has issued a special series of commemorative coins minted in gold and in silver. Also, the Supreme Council has worked with Emirates Post to issue 200,000 limited-edition stamps to mark this event. Furthermore, a luxury-edition book has been published, called ‘Emirates: Story of a Nation’ that will be distributed to the heads of state and high-ranking dignitaries attending the Forum. The book comprises 140 pages illustrating the history of the UAE and the achievements of its government in energy and sustainability, with visualizations of the major energy projects of the UAE,” he added.

During the conference, Al Tayer outlined the latest developments and arrangements put in place by the organizing committees, the security plans in place to receive high-profile delegations from all over the world and thanked Dubai’s wise leadership for the unwavering commitment to making the Forum a success by all standards, in order to further establish Dubai as a global hub for finance, business, trade, energy and tourism.

The Forum’s agenda was unveiled at the press conference, including planned activities and discussion areas that will focus on central energy and sustainability issues such as energy policies, thought leadership in the energy sector, traditional and renewable energy, oil, gas, clean coal, nuclear energy, sustainable development, water and urban development, public health, energy security, justice, energy and water, the role of women in sustainable development, innovation and financing energy projects.

The first day will witness the opening ceremony in the presence of world leaders who will share their vision of energy-sustainable world that enhances global economic and social development.

Day one of the WEF will also witness the launch of World Energy Day, which will be celebrated annually on 22 October with the blessing of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. This global initiative will be ratified by participating presidents during the first day, and it is meant to strengthen the commitment of governments and decision-makers to establish a roadmap for energy sustainability for all. Like World Environment Day, World Energy Day will be celebrated annually.

The day will be concluded with a dinner banquet hosted by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and a ceremony to distribute the World Energy Awards and awards for the winners of the International Energy Essay Contest 2012 contest.

Day two will witness a number of discussions at a ministerial level on oil and natural gas, coal, nuclear energy, solar power, wind power, hydroelectric applications, bio-fuels, water, urban development, architecture, energy and climate change. It will also witness the First Ladies’ Summit under the patronage of Her Highness Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The summit will discuss the most important energy and water issues in relation to women, and the role they can play in sustainable development. The summit will also have an integrated hospitality program for First Ladies.

The African Energy Summit will also take place during the second day of the forum and will be attended by African leaders and energy and environment ministers to shed light on energy, water and sustainable development for everyone in Africa.

During the third day of the forum, world business leaders will discuss a number of relevant topics including green economy, energy and its various traditional and alternative sources, water, sustainable development energy infrastructure, financing energy projects, building capabilities in energy efficiency and demand management. Sessions will also focus on a vision for sustainability and efforts to chart a roadmap for achieving it for the peoples of the world.

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