WGES to present Dubai’s global achievements in sustainability

The World Green Economy Summit (WGES) 2019 will be held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on 20th-21st October at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre with the theme ‘Innovative Technologies for a Sustainable Economy’, in conjunction with the 21st Water, Energy, Technology, and Environment Exhibition (WETEX) and the 4th Dubai Solar Show as part of the sixth Green Week. 

The summit will focus on three pillars: global international cooperation in a green economy; cooperation and international partnership to overcome global challenges, and achieving sustainable development goals.

WGES is organised in Dubai to support its efforts to become the global capital of green economy and sustainable development. Dubai has received the Platinum Rating in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Cities certification awarded by the US Green Building Council (USGBC). This makes Dubai the first city in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to receive this accolade, as well as achieve a remarkable reduction in net CO2 emissions of Dubai of 19% by the end of 2018, ahead of the Carbon Abatement Strategy 2021 target to reduce the carbon emissions by 16% by 2021.

“We work to achieve the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai to achieve sustainable developments in all aspects including UAE Vision 2021, UAE Centennial 2071, Dubai Plan 2021, and Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 for Dubai to become a city with least carbon footprint in the world by 2050,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, Managing Director and CEO of the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), and Chairman of WGES,

“This remarkable decrease in net CO2 emissions represents our latest efforts to move into a pioneering global model in green economy covering all vital sectors in Dubai. We will highlight this achievement in the forthcoming summit to encourage all stakeholders and motivate them to intensify their collaboration to continue our successful progress towards sustainable growth in various sectors,” said Al Tayer.

The Dubai Declaration is delivered by the summit every year is aligned with the long-term vision of establishing the Emirate as the global capital of the green economy. Dubai Declaration 2018 has included some recommendations from participants to encourage green investments in smart cities, as well as green initiatives through empowering youth entrepreneurs who have the potential to generate innovative and sustainable solutions; and support global cooperation in sustainability through the World Green Economy Organisation.

Dubai has always been a pioneer in implementing solutions to enable it to have the lowest carbon footprint in the world by 2050. DEWA has sent a request for proposal (RFP) for consultants to study, develop and construct floating solar photovoltaic plants in the Arabian Gulf. This is an innovative initiative to use solar power supports the objectives of the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 to diversify the energy mix in Dubai, to make the Emirate a global hub for clean energy and green economy, and provide 75% of Dubai's total power output from clean energy by 2050.

The summit this year will be attended key policymakers, government officials, international business leaders, and world-renowned experts to tackle strategies for global collaboration and drive dialogue and action amongst industry stakeholders. 

This year’s WGES will also discuss policies designed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while showing innovative solutions and leading practices to inspire change and transition towards a green economy.