- First Minister of Scotland urges young innovators in the Middle East to seize energy challenge
- Salmond invites world’s energy talent to visit Scotland
The First Minister of Scotland, Mr Alex Salmond, has invited a gathering of the world’s most talented innovators to visit Scotland to see the world-class energy research being undertaken here.
The First Minister extended the invitation to attend the Scottish Low Carbon Investment Conference while addressing the World’s Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi. He told the gathering of over 150 students from UAE universities, international universities, and young professionals from local companies that they should experience the world class related energy research, development and industry taking place in Scotland.
The Scottish Low Carbon Investment Conference, which will take place in October this year in Edinburgh, brings together government, finance, utilities and developers to engage directly on the opportunities and challenges presented by the global shift to low carbon economies. It will be an ideal forum for the group to mix with outstanding students studying renewables at Scotland’s leading Universities, senior business leaders, Ministers and policy makers and to contribute to discussions on the future of the European/Scottish renewables industry.
The First Minister said: “It is clear that nations can no longer consider the challenge of energy security as something for the next generation to tackle and solve.
“As the next generation, you have the tools and you know the challenge. But we do not have the lifetime to realise the dream of a secure global future.
“We must start from today with our young future energy leaders using your talent and enthusiasm to turn vision into reality. This is a global challenge and therefore one which demands collaboration across nations. That is why I would like you – some of the best renewables minds in the world – to visit Scotland – the best location for developing renewables in the world.”
The First Minister also told the highly influential gathering that 2012, the year of the climate discussions in Rio and a year the FM has declared a Year of Climate Justice that they have the power and foresight to put the journey to a low carbon future on the global map.
Commenting on the First Minister’s invitation Lena Wilson, chief executive of Scottish Enterprise, said: “Scotland is globally recognised as a world-leader in the low carbon industry and it’s vital for Scotland’s long term economic future that we continue to build on this and find new ways of working and developing our expertise to improve our success.
“The Scottish Low Carbon Investment Conference is the ideal opportunity for Scottish-based companies to meet and share ideas and experiences with like-minded organisations and to network with key players from across the industry.
“Scottish Enterprise would welcome the opportunity to meet with professionals, local companies and universities from the Middle East at events like these – creating possibilities for invaluable collaborative projects and future joint working.”
Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, said: “We express our sincere appreciation and thanks to His Excellency Alex Salmond, First Minister of Scotland, for his participation in the YFEL conference. His interaction with YFEL members, sharing of experience and words of encouragement will help motivate the youth in their commitment to become responsible energy industry leaders of tomorrow. It also provided YFEL members an opportunity to share their innovative ideas in advanced energy and sustainability with the Scottish leader.
“The Scottish First Minister’s participation strongly reflects the importance of Masdar Institute’s outreach initiative that aims to inspire, educate and position students and young professionals for obtaining solutions to the world’s most pressing environmental issues. We thank the UAE’s wise leadership for their guidance and support that ensured this knowledge exchange during WFES 2012.”
The young innovators are part of the outreach initiative created and run by the Masdar Institute of Science of Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university and part of Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s multi-faceted renewable energy company.
The members for 2012 were selected out of 400 applicants, after a stringent vetting process that ensured only the most eligible candidates are chosen for the exclusive YFEL programme.
Mr Salmond is in Abu Dhabi to attend the opening ceremony of the World Future Energy Summit. The opening ceremony will be performed by Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, chief executive of Masdar, and the conference will also be addressed by Ban Ki Moon, UN Secretary General, and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. He will also sign an agreement with Masdar, one of the world’s leading renewables innovators, to work together to deliver tangible clean energy projects.
