The World Future Energy Summit (WFES) 2024, of which ESG Mena is a proud media partner, opens this week at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).
The 16th edition, hosted by Masdar, will focus on advancing the agenda that was outlined at COP28 in Dubai last November, with a comprehensive knowledge-sharing programme featuring more than 350 of the energy sector’s leading international experts, policymakers, academics, and future shapers.
The Summit will feature six conferences focusing on Solar, EcoWaste, Water, Clean Energy, Smart Cities, and Climate & Environment, a dedicated “Pathway to 1.5C” forum centred on the outcomes from COP28 and two forums addressing Green Finance and e-Mobility.
The speakers will explore ways to unlock investment and find innovative instruments to close the climate finance gap, how to further private sector engagement with regulators and governments, integrate carbon into decision-making and asset valuation, and increase adaptation and resilience financing.
They will also explore how certain industries and sectors can contribute to tripling renewable power generation capacity to 11,000 GW, tripling nuclear energy by 2050, doubling energy efficiency this decade, reaching near zero-methane emissions by 2030, and cutting fossil fuels from the world’s energy production plans.
“The combined speaker platform represents a high-density gathering of the industry’s foremost minds, each of whom will discuss and suggest potential pathways to achieving sustainability and renewable energy goals based on technology, changing policies, and evolving economics,” commented Leen AlSebai, General Manager of RX Middle East and Head of the World Future Energy Summit.
“With a keen focus on the theme ‘The Energy To Lead’, this year’s Summit has emerged as a global think tank. Empowered by innovation, these experts and sector pioneers will bring to light solutions to our most crucial problems and cutting-edge solutions, which will inform the blueprints for a sustainable future. It will also firmly underline the UAE’s robust commitment to global sustainability and environmental cooperation.”
Her Highness Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, President & CEO of the UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators will deliver the opening address on guiding nations to a 1.5°C climate pathway, followed by Francesco La Camera, Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency.
The Pathways to 1.5°C conference will also see Simon Birkebaek, Partner at BCG, discuss clean energy outcomes from COP28 and the road ahead, alongside a presentation by Mary Burce Warlick, Deputy Executive Director, International Energy Agency on delivering energy commitments and what actions are needed to meet Troika: Mission 1.5.
Other panel discussions will feature H.E. Eng. Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, Group CEO, Emirates Steel Arkan; Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, CEO, Emirates Global Aluminium; and Eng. Ali Al Dhaheri, MD and CEO, Tadweer Group discuss how to meet a 1.5°C climate threshold.
The Solar & Clean Energy Conference, also opening on day one, will see H.E. Eng Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at the UAE Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure (MoEI) open proceedings, with H.E. Ahmed Alkaabi, Undersecretary Assistant for Electricity, Water & Future Energy Sector at MoEI delivering the keynote address at the Water Conference.
This year’s knowledge programme features its largest female participation and will host a dedicated panel discussion on female entrepreneurs leading decarbonisation innovation, and a dedicated area for its Climate Innovations Exchange (CLIX) initiative – a curated platform where female-led, run, or founded startups, SMEs and innovators, can demonstrate products and solutions to a global audience.