UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon Commends to speak at World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi

• His Excellency Ban Ki-Moon Commends UAE and Masdar for Leadership in Addressing Global Energy Challenges
• Stresses Collaboration among Governments, Academia, Enterprise and Civil Society to Forge Path for Sustainability

His Excellency Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, today announced his participation and attendance at the fourth annual World Future Energy Summit (WFES), held in Abu Dhabi from 17-20 January 2011, and hosted by Masdar.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon will address Heads of State and international delegates at WFES, a forum that promotes collaboration, innovation and investment opportunities in renewable energy, environment and clean technology.

The visit by the UN Secretary-General underscores the growing role the UAE and Abu Dhabi are playing in driving the global adoption of renewable energy and clean technology innovation. Through Masdar, a multi-faceted initiative advancing the development and deployment of renewable and alternative energy technologies, Abu Dhabi has demonstrated its long-term commitment to discovering a viable roadmap for sustainability.

“The UAE is making considerable efforts to find solutions to the world’s energy challenges, in particular through the Masdar initiative and the World Future Energy Summit, which provides a platform for global cooperation in renewable energy and sustainability,” said HE Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary General, United Nations. “I am also grateful for the contributions of the UAE’s Minister for Foreign Affairs His Highness Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, as a member of my High-Level panel on Global Sustainability.

“Climate change is one of the defining challenges of our times,” added Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon.

“The world needs to find the renewable energy and clean technologies which can mitigate its effects and set the world on a path to more sustainable economic growth and prosperity. The search for these solutions requires collaboration between governments, academia, enterprise and civil society. The longer we delay, the more we will pay – in resources, economic competitiveness, and lives.”

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar and the UAE Special Envoy for Energy and Climate Change, said “We are honored to welcome Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon to the World Future Energy Summit. His presence is a testament to Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates’ growing contribution to the global energy and climate change dialogue.

“The Secretary General’s leadership in ensuring climate change is addressed within a global framework and at the highest level of international cooperation has lead to significant progress,” added Dr. Al Jaber. “His enthusiasm and personal dedication, is one shared by the UAE’s leadership who have placed significant emphasis in ensuring the advancement of renewable energy and climate change mitigation are core elements of our economic development.”

The fourth World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi will be the world’s largest conference and exhibition on renewable and future energy solutions, innovations, investments, policy and vision. WFES, held at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, ADNEC, expects more than 25,000 attendees from around the world. The Summit that will cover a wide range of themes including energy policy, investment and funding, green buildings, clean transport, solar, wind and biofuels.