January 14, 2011WFES to attract world leaders
Ban, seven heads of state and royals to grace event
Abu Dhabi: World leaders, along with the United Nations Secretary-General — Ban Ki-moon — are expected to be in Abu Dhabi this Monday for the opening ceremony of the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) 2011.
Guillaume, Crown Prince of Luxembourg and Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden, are confirmed to be among those who will attend the opening ceremony alongside presidents and prime ministers of seven nations.
The opening address for the programme will be delivered by Sultan Al Jaber, CEO of Masdar, the wholly-owned subsidiary of the Mubadala Development Company and host of WFES 2011.
The secretary-general of the UN will also be speaking at the event.
Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, President of Iceland, Asif Ali Zardari, President of Pakistan, Jose Socrates Carvalho Pinto de Sousa, Prime Minister of Portugal, Shaikha Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh, and Nikoloz Gilauri, Prime Minister of Georgia, will also be present in Abu Dhabi for the event.
Solutions
Titled ‘Enabling Future Energy Solutions,' the four-day programme, to be held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec), is expected to attract more than 25,000 visitors, according to REED, the organisers of WFES 2011.
In addition to the summit, two exhibitions focused on energy and environment will have more than 600 companies from over 20 countries taking part in the event.
More than 150 speakers at the forums, round table discussions and presentations will cover a wide range of themes including energy policy, investment and funding, green buildings, clean transport, solar, wind and biofuels.
Held under the patronage of General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed forces, the event will attract global attention on the UAE capital as the emirate continues to emphasise its commitment to the development of renewable energy.
Incredible investment
The WFES has received several messages of support internationally.
One such message recently came from the US during Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's visit to Abu Dhabi.
"We are betting that this incredible investment, represented by Masdar, is going to pay off," Clinton had said.
"And when it pays off, it will not only mean a better life for the people in this country and in this region, it will have ripple effects throughout the world," Clinton added.
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