By HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman of the World Green Economy Organization (WGEO)
DUBAI: Since its establishment, the United Arab Emirates has solidified its leading position in global climate action, a vision laid down by our Founding Father the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may his soul rest in peace. Guided by the forward-looking leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the UAE continues to champion the green economy and mobilise global efforts to enhance sustainability and address climate challenges. The UAE remains at the forefront of launching proactive and innovative initiatives and solutions, driven by research and a commitment to anticipating and making the future.
The World Green Economy Summit (WGES), held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, plays a crucial role in supporting the UAE’s relentless efforts to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability. The Summit fosters leading discussions and activities and yields significant outcomes that promote an economic ecosystem relying on the adoption of innovative green solutions and sustainable practices, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030. By prioritising the transition to a green economy, WGES underscores its commitment to shaping a sustainable future.
Since its launch in 2014, WGES has played a vital role in accelerating the journey towards climate neutrality and fostering sustainable economic and social development. WGES, which is organised by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), and the World Green Economy Organization (WGEO), has been instrumental in developing innovative and effective methods to address climate challenges, promote sustainable development, and enhance green investments. Additionally, the Summit has strengthened dialogue and cooperation among stakeholders worldwide. WGES serves as a significant platform for leaders, experts, and specialists in vital sectors to discuss and exchange experiences and best practices. The Summit supports the adoption of innovative policies, plans, and initiatives across various aspects of sustainability, the green economy, and the protection of the environment and natural resources. It aims to generate recommendations and solutions that strengthen global climate action and the transition to a green economy.
During the 2022 Summit, we launched the ‘Global Alliance on Green Economy’, which aims to build a coalition of countries, prioritising a green economy in the context of climate action and sustainable development, to enhance the capacity of developing countries, provide support for their green economy transition projects and exchange knowledge on implementation. So far, 86 countries have joined the Alliance.
As we prepare for the 10th World Green Economy Summit (WGES), scheduled for 2-3 October 2024 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, our focus is on a key goal: providing opportunities and enhancing collaborative efforts to advance sustainability and the green economy. Our aim is to find innovative and effective solutions to the most pressing global issues, as reflected by this year’s theme: ‘Empowering Global Action: Unlocking Opportunities and Advancing Progress.’
We are confident that the 10th WGES will play a pivotal role in mobilising local and global efforts to accelerate climate action, support the transition to a green economy, and increase the share of clean and renewable energy sources. The UAE’s leadership in this field inspires us, as evidenced by the country ranking second globally in energy transformation according to the Global Green Future Index (GFI) 2023. Additionally, the UAE is sixth in per capita solar energy consumption and has the fastest growing clean energy capacity globally since 2011, according to the Statistical Review of World Energy report issued recently by the UK-based Energy Institute. This achievement is a result of the UAE’s efforts and plans to establish highly efficient power plants.
The UAE has made a remarkable achievement by ranking among the top 10 countries in the world with the largest installed photovoltaic (PV) capacity per inhabitant in 2023, with a cumulative capacity of 708 Watt/capita. The UAE is the sole representative from the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region on this list, according to the ‘SolarPower Europe 2024: Global Market Outlook for Solar Power 2024-2028’ issued by Solar Power Europe. The UAE’s unwavering commitment to sustainability is showcased in the leading strategies launched by our wise leadership, including the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 Strategy, the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050.
The 10th WGES will focus on key thematic pillars, including Decarbonisation; Clean Energy Advancements including Green Hydrogen & Energy Storage; Climate Finance; Circular Economy; Using Technology to Tackle Climate Change; Youth in Climate Change, in addition to Food and Water. We seek to build on the outcomes of previous editions and continue our efforts to support the provision and sharing of innovative solutions, building partnerships, and enhancing international collaboration to achieve a sustainable green economy.
