World Future Energy Summit 2010 set to reach three-year high

• More than 50 countries confirm participation in pivotal gathering in UAE capital
• Summit conference anticipates 3,000 delegates and 100 high-level speakers
• Exhibition space at WFES 2010 increases 51 per cent to 45,000 square metres

Abu Dhabi, the emerging global hub for renewable energy, will be the venue for the largest and most diverse gathering of world leaders, investors, policy makers, researchers, financial institutions and experts dedicated to the sector from January 18-21, 2010, organisers of the World Future Energy Summit (WFES), announced today.

Held under the patronage of His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, the third edition of WFES will be hosted by Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s multi-faceted renewable energy and sustainability initiative.

The anticipation surrounding WFES 2010 is set to increase following the decision in June to base the global headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi.

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, said the expansion of WFES reflected the growing international profile of Abu Dhabi in renewable energy and the summit’s vital contribution to the sector.
“Abu Dhabi has always strived to be an open global platform for collaboration to promote the adoption of renewable energy and climate change mitigation,” said Dr. Al Jaber. “With the growing success of the World Future Energy Summit and the International Renewable Energy Agency in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi is quickly becoming the renewable energy hub for both businesses and governments.”

More than 50 countries have already confirmed their attendance at the summit, including for the first time Australia, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Greece, Turkey, Czech Republic and South Africa.
Frederic Theux, President of WFES organisers Reed Exhibitions Middle East, said: “The World Future Energy Summit is creating a new spirit of cooperation in the renewable and advanced energy sector by bringing together more and more countries from the developed and developing worlds. The fact that we are expecting more delegates, exhibition visitors and high-profile speakers than ever before shows that WFES is emerging as an important bridge between East and West in this critical debate.”

WFES 2010 comprises a conference and two exhibitions held alongside: the World Future Energy Exhibition, focused on advanced and renewable energy, and the World Future Environment Exhibition, dedicated to air, water and waste management technologies and solutions.

Underlining the scale of the business opportunities on offer at WFES 2010, the third edition of the summit will host the widest ever range of experts in the future energy community, including senior decision makers in government and business, prominent investors, and leading scientists and academic figures.
The WFES conference expects to receive 100 high-level speakers, including heads of state, and 3,000 delegates.
Among the confirmed conference keynote speakers are Karolos Papoulias, President of Greece; Mohamed Nasheed, President of the Maldives; and the Honourable Dato’ Sri Mohammed Najib Bin Tun Abdul Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia. Helene Pelosse, Director General of IRENA, will also address the WFES 2010 conference.
Frederic Theux of Reed Exhibitions said: “Conference participants can look forward to the most engaging and scientifically rigorous programme yet. Discussions will explore the most pressing issues and industry developments of the day, covering everything from sustainable transport to green architecture, to clean fuel and engine technology, to green jobs and recruitment trends in the renewable and advanced energy industry.”

Leading science publisher Elsevier, have designed the WFES conference programme. Elsevier publishes more than 65 books, periodicals and archives in future energy, serving an estimated audience of 30 million scientists worldwide.
Deutsche Bank Climate Change Advisors is principal sponsor of WFES 2010. Emirates Aluminium is Associate sponsor and Platinum sponsors include BP Alternative Energy, Standard Chartered, Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority, Oxy and the Abu Dhabi Department of Municipality Affairs.

Kevin E. Parker, Global Head of Deutsche Asset Management, said: “WFES has established itself as one of the world’s most important events in the renewable and advanced energy field. We are privileged to be a principal sponsor and to support Abu Dhabi, Masdar and the summit in reaching their noble goals. The 2010 World Future Energy Summit is the biggest summit to date, and the participation of so many experts from across the future energy community makes it an unmissable event.”

The World Future Energy Summit 2010 takes place from January 18-21, 2010 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Centre.

WFES Background:

The World Future Energy Summit is held annually in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, under the patronage of H.H. General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. The summit is hosted by Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s multi-faceted future energy initiative, and organised by Reed Exhibitions, the world’s largest events organiser, together with Elsevier, the leading publishers of science information.

The World Future Energy Summit is one of the main events on the global future energy calendar, offering outstanding networking and business opportunities across the value chain of renewable and advanced energy.

WFES 2009 attracted more than 600 exhibitors, 144 official delegations, more than 18,000 visitors from 84 countries, and 1,124 conference delegates.