WETEX 2013 highlighted issues and developments on water, energy, environment and sustainability

The Water, Energy, Technology, and Environment Exhibition (WETEX) 2013, organised by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), was held on the 15th through the 17th of April, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. The three-day exhibition, themed ‘Sustainable Development for All’, provided a platform to present and discuss relevant issues and the latest developments in the areas of water, energy, environment and sustainability. WETEX 2013 also served as an opportunity for companies to display and offer the latest technologies and solutions used in electricity and water conservation. In addition, more than 34 specialised workshops and seminars were held on the sidelines of the exhibition.

Held alongside WETEX 2013 was the second edition of the Dubai Global Energy Forum (DGEF 2013), organised by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, which provided a venue for energy leaders to discuss local and regional issues related to energy policies, trends, practices and challenges. Themed ‘Clean Energy for Sustainable Development’, the inauguration of the event was attended by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council and H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai.

In his inauguration speech at DGEF 2013, H.E. Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman, Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, said: “The United Arab Emirates has realised many great achievements in various developing areas. These achievements have confirmed the UAE Vision 2021 that achieving sustainable development and building a competitive economy that is less reliant on fossil fuel resources must be done by optimising sustainable energy.”

DGEF 2013 saw key speeches and presentations, as well as panel discussions involving a selection of energy experts. Some of the speakers at the event were Dr Awadh Al Barasi, Deputy Prime Minister of Libya; John Burton, former Irish Prime Minister and European Union Ambassador to the US; Dr Michael Fubi, CEO of RWE Technology; Mustafa Dundar, President of the Union of Municipalities of the Turkish City of Bursa; H.E. Suhail Al Mazroui, UAE Minister of Energy; H.E. Dr Rashid Ahmad bin Fahad, UAE Minister of Environment and Water; H.E. Jose Manuel Soria, Spanish Minister of Industry, Energy and Tourism and H.E. Ahmed Buti Al Muhairbi, Secretary General of the Supreme Council.