ABU DHABI // Thousands of delegates from around the world gathered in the capital on Monday to discuss ways to tackle climate change through the adoption of sustainable energy.
The eighth World Future Energy Summit began with a plea from Egyptian president Abdel Fattah El Sisi for global action to address climate change.
“Addressing these challenges requires a conscious partnership with the international community,” Mr El Sisi told delegates at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. “Look after your nations. It is change, not destruction, that is needed.”
The summit, a leading feature of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, will include talks and workshops, and display efforts towards the development of sustainable energy and eco-friendly models of living.
Mr El Sisi said the summit should provide vital discussions on challenges facing energy, water and sustainable development.
He said Egypt planned to lift the use of renewables to 20 per cent of its total energy needs by 2020, as part of its long-term solution.
That would be achieved through a comprehensive strategy that includes the adoption of all sources of energy, Mr El Sisi said.
“As part of the strategy, Egypt plans to build a 4,300 megawatt source of solar and wind power over the next three years,” he said.
He said the World Future Energy Summit was an essential forum to debate the challenges facing sustainable development and renewable resources.
Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State and chairman of the green future energy company Masdar, said Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week would help to attract investment and cultivate partnerships to accelerate technologies that can benefit the UAE.
“Renewable energy is a critical component for building a sustainable future and has today graduated from an expensive alternative to a competitive technology of choice,” Dr Al Jaber said in his opening address.
He said there had been a sharp decline in the cost of sustainable energy infrastructure, which has led to renewables becoming the fastest-growing source of energy.
Investments in renewables in the UAE increased 16 per cent last year and resulted in more than US$310 billion (Dh1.13 trillion) being dedicated to the sector.
“This is a historic year for the UAE,” Dr Al Jaber said.
“As the country embarks on its ‘Year of Innovation’, the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week will help to attract investment and cultivate partnership to accelerate technologies that can benefit our country.”
nalwasmi@thenational.ae
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
Tonight's Chat on The National
Tonight's Chat is a series of online conversations on The National. The series features a diverse range of celebrities, politicians and business leaders from around the Arab world.
Tonight’s Chat host Ricardo Karam is a renowned author and broadcaster who has previously interviewed Bill Gates, Carlos Ghosn, Andre Agassi and the late Zaha Hadid, among others.
Intellectually curious and thought-provoking, Tonight’s Chat moves the conversation forward.
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