Unveiled on World Energy Day and Expo 2020 Theme Symposium

The Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence (DCCE) unveiled the first edition of the State of the Energy Report 2014. Announcing this, The Dubai Supreme Council of Energy said that the report supported the Green Economy for Sustainable Development initiative launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the UAE Vision 2021.

The publication was reportedly launched at a press conference by HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of both the Supreme Council of Energy and the Expo 2020 Higher Bid Committee, including HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice-Chairman of the Supreme Council of Energy, HE Helal Al Marri, Chairman of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Executive Director of the Dubai World Trade Centre, and Member of the Expo 2020 Higher Bid Committee, HE Ahmad Al Muhairbi, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Energy, Waleed Salman, Chairman of the DCCE, and Dr Kishan Khoday, Regional Practice Leader for Energy and Environment with the UNDP and dignitaries from the Supreme Council of Energy and the report’s supporters and sponsors.

The publication was reportedly unveiled on World Energy Day, which was endorsed by HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and adopted by 54 other countries around the world, as also representatives from the United Nations, the Arab League and the African Union, when the Dubai Declaration of Energy for All codified on October 22, 2012 that the date would be observed annually as World Energy Day. It also coincided with the EXPO 2020 Theme Symposium, a major milestone in the bid to host the World Expo 2020 in Dubai, the announcement said.

On the occasion, HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum said: “Energy is one of the main components for sustainable development and the foundation for a positive environment that encourages collaboration, partnership, creativity, and innovation. Today, we are pleased to launch the first edition of the State of Energy Report 2014, which describes our way forward to build a green future for generations to come. First and foremost, this report is a reference for all the necessary knowledge and best practices for the energy sector, produced by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, the United Nations Development Programme and in cooperation with the Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence. This report provides the basis for a knowledge economy, which will be one of the main factors for the successful achievement of the vision of our wise leadership to transform Dubai into a Smart City, which imbues the characteristics of creativity and strong partnerships between the public and private sectors through new ideas that accompany the rapid and continuous changes that affect the entire world.”

Reaffirming that the report supported the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Al Tayer called it an action plan and a guidebook comprising relevant details for the energy sector, with special focus on green initiatives pursuant to the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030.

While Al Muhairbi reiterated that the report was an outlook for Dubai’s energy sector, which included views by energy experts from local, regional and global perspectives, Salman claimed it was the Emirate’s effort in benchmarking its own achievements against best practices driving renewable energy, energy diversification and efficiency worldwide. “The report will be published every year to enable us to document Dubai’s progress and share repeatable success stories across the region on an annual basis,” he informed.

Dr Khoday added: “The expansion of sustainable energy in the Arab region can be a vital part of the region’s drive to achieve sustainable development. The UNDP is pleased to be a partner to partners across the Arab region as they seek to lead innovation in policy and technology and create the foundations for a sustainable energy future.”