In pictures: Sheikh Mohammed opens Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - - - January 15, 2013 --- Opening day of the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) was held at ADNEC in Abu Dhabi. A number of VIPs including Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, the French president, Francois Hollande, Argentinian President Cristina Fernandez and HRH Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan. ( DELORES JOHNSON / The National )

Throughout the week, government leaders, clean-energy investors, scientists and advocates will convene in Abu Dhabi, with thirty-thousand delegates expected. Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, the chief executive and managing director of Masdar was among those who???

Francois Hollande, the France president, pictured here in the centre, and president of Argentina, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, were among those listening, along with with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and the Ruler of Dubai, and Queen Rani???

Mr Hollande said governments needed to unite in cutting greenhouse emissions to avoid climate change.

“No one can predict the future, but this much is true: energy requirements will play a vital role in determining it," said Queen Rania of Jordan. Karim Sahib / AFP Photo

Mr Hollande reiterated France’s offer to host the 21st Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Paris in 2015. This is the deadline set for world governments to sign a new global treaty on reducing emissi???

Yesterday’s ceremony also opened the World Future Energy Summit, the International Renewable Energy Conference, and the first International Water Summit. Delores Johnson / The National

Scientists say failure to act by then could mean catastrophic climate change is unavoidable. Delores Johnson / The National