Abu Dhabi hosts world’s largest specialised conference and exhibition to encourage global cooperation on future energy issues

More than 80 heads of state, ministers, business, science and environment leaders from the global renewable energy community will speak at the inaugural World Future Energy Summit taking place on January 21 to 23, 2008, in Abu Dhabi, establishing the event as one of the most important on the international calendar.

Hosted by Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s multi-billion dollar, multi-faceted response to the need for a global focus on alternative energy and sustainability, WFES 08 will be held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre under the patronage of HH General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

The World Future Energy Summit consists of a high-level global leadership conference expected to attract 1,000 delegates, and an industry exhibition featuring more than 200 exhibitors. The summit will welcome more than 5,000 international visitors. Masdar CEO Dr. Sultan Al Jaber said WFES08 is part of Masdar’s aim to provide a platform for global cooperation on issues of energy demand and energy sustainability. “For almost half a century, Abu Dhabi has been a world leader in energy production. In keeping with our leadership responsibility, we have chosen to direct our resources towards the development and implementation of alternative sources of energy, and the World Future Energy Summit is one means towards that end,” he said. “The Summit will help diverse audiences in our region and around the world explore the full potential of renewable energy, and will hopefully move the world one step closer to a new understanding of energy.”

WFES08 will be a critical forum to openly address some of the most pressing challenges of our times – energy conservation, energy security, the environment and sustainable development – and engage new audiences in the search for solutions, Dr. Al Jaber added. “Advanced energy technologies are not just the domain of scientists and researchers, but present vast new business opportunities,” Dr. Al Jaber said. “WFES08 will help boost knowledge and capability by involving these and other diverse stakeholders.”

The WFES08 conference is designed to drive the interface between research, academia, policy and business in the commercialization of new energy technologies, and includes sessions focused on technology and commerce, finance and investment, research and education, policy and strategy, carbon management, clean transport and energy efficiency, green property and sustainable communities, biofuels, geo-thermal, wind and solar power.

The conference and exhibition will be hosted at the new Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, with over 25,000sqm housing feature areas such as the Credit Suisse Innovation Zone, the Standard Chartered Future Theatre, the Total VIP Lounge, Shell Meet at the Globe and the Dolphin Energy Time Out Pavilion. Conference organizer and Chairman of Turret Middle East Richard Hease, said response to the summit has been overwhelming. “This exceptional event has surpassed all expectations and we are confident that WFES and Abu Dhabi will become an important catalyst for global change and thinking in this critical field of future and sustainable energy,” he said.

WFES will see over 200 international exhibitors including pavilions from Japan, China, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, India and France. Entrance is free to visitors who pre-register and open to all. Ahmad Humaid Al Mazrouie, Managing Director of Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company, said: “We are proud to play our part in delivering Abu Dhabi’s vision to be the global hub of renewable energy via the visionary Masdar Initiative. Ours is a winning combination: the most modern exhibition venue in the world at the service of one of the boldest, most far-sighted initiatives to emerge from the region.” The World Future Energy Summit 2008 is hosted and presented by Masdar, with principal sponsor Credit Suisse, platinum sponsors BP, Shell and Standard Chartered and gold sponsors International Power, Total, Dolphin Energy and Occidental.