The Clean Energy & Sustainability Summit for a Cleaner Gulf and a Greener Future

Qatar, one of the energy-richest countries in the world, currently presents major energy conservation challenges. This country, representing the largest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG), is currently working on numerous “megaprojects” under construction, including one of the world’s largest new airports, huge residential complexes, a bridge to Bahrain, and many large commercial buildings. All of these activities require large amounts of electricity, fuel and other materials, as well as a large labor force, also responsible for considerable indirect energy consumption for housing and transportation.

In the same context, a large number of countries in the GCC region are currently facing the same challenge. In fact, according to the ‘2010 International Energy Outlook’ issued by the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), the per capita electricity consumption during the period 2007-2035 in the GCC is likely to increase at an annual rate of 2.5%, given that a large part of this rate will be attributed to a growing population, as opposed to 0.8% in the US. 

Recognizing these circumstances, many of the GCC countries, including Qatar, have set a large number of incentives and compelling national motives to reduce energy use and adopt new renewable sources by rethinking of the currently deployed energy policies, as well as conducting  a thorough analysis of electricity consumption patterns, and implementing a more detailed examination of supply side efficiencies. 

Proceeding from these facts, the Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting (GOIC), in association with the Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah Foundation for Energy and Sustainable Development will be organizing this year the Clean Energy & Sustainability Summit (GCESS) which will be managed by IFP Qatar and which will take place on 14 – 15 November 2016 in Westin Hotel – Doha.

The summit represents an ultimate opportunity for Qatar as well as the other GCC states to highlight the latest research efforts that are being implemented as part of their commitment to support the international efforts in producing more clean energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

His Excellency the Secretary General of GOIC first thanked His Excellency Mr. Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, former Deputy Prime Minister, former Minister of Energy and Industry in the State of Qatar and the Chairman of the Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah Foundation for Energy and Sustainable Development for his patronage of the World Summit for Clean Energy and Sustainability and its exhibition which will take place in The Westin Doha Hotel on 14 and 15 November 2016.

Commenting on the Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting (GOIC) role in this summit, His Excellency Mr. Abdulaziz Bin Hamad Al-Ageel, Secretary General of the Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting (GOIC) stated: “One of the most important challenges that GCC countries and the entire world face today is providing clean energy for people and guaranteeing its sustainability in light of climate change and its negative environmental repercussions.”

Al Ageel said that GOIC is organizing this summit to reiterate its commitment to environment and GCC people and its endeavors to develop clean energy in the Gulf and guarantee sustainable resources by taking a series of measures to protect Gulf environment.

The Secretary General also underlined the importance of cooperation between GCC countries to promote sustainable economic and social development by adopting renewable energy solutions. He mentioned “A Green Economy for Sustainable Development”, an initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, which has become a vision and a platform for action for various green economy activities in order to make UAE one of the world’s leaders in this field and an international hub for exporting and re-exporting green products and technologies. Mr. Al-Ageel wished to see this experience disseminated throughout the Gulf to benefit from its great accomplishments.

From his side, His Excellency Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah is the Chairman of Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah International Foundation for Energy & Sustainable Development stated: “the Clean Energy & Sustainability Summit (GCESS), as organized by the Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting (GOIC), in association with our Foundation, will be a platform to discuss further the energy issues that relate to GHS emissions and climate change. Technical advantages in clean energy, mitigation of GHS emissions and the energy efficiency improvement will be demonstrated and presented during this Summit to further improve the cooperation in fighting the climate changes.”

“As a focus, the Summit, will be an opportunity for Qatar and other GCC states to demonstrate the effort’s that they are implementing or planning to implements as part of their commitment to support the international efforts in making the production and supply of energy more environment and health friendly. We, at the Foundation, are basically concerned with energy and will be extending our hand to region and international community to further making human life and the environment are the targets of our economic development”, he added.

Georges Ayache, General Manager of IFP Qatar, said: “IFP Qatar, one of the leading event organizers in the GCC region has always been eager to provide its clients with the best means to reach professionals and decision makers from around the world to network and exchange knowledge.”

“Energy plays an essential role in our daily lives today. Given the growing need to new renewable sources,  it has become essential to develop new energy plans for the GCC region to reduce energy use and minimize the environmental impacts of high energy use. We at IFP Qatar, are working in collaboration with the Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting (GOIC) and the Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah International Foundation for Energy & Sustainable Development to raise awareness to the environmental and ecological effects of high energy production and consumption which will result in an increase of the average temperature of the planet as well as regional and global and climatic changes.”

The Clean Energy & Sustainability Summit (GCESS) will represent the ideal destination for leading innovators and policy makers in the Sustainability, Sustainable Energy and Technologies and Green Technologies sectors, to network and discuss the most effective alternative clean energy in the GCC region, especially in Qatar, as well as the challenges faced by the environment due to greenhouse gases on the international, regional and local level.