UAE provides insight on "Black Gold and the Green Economy" at Rio+20 Summit

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - June 24. 2012 (WAM) - The United Arab Emirates, in partnership with the Kingdom of Norway, tonight will host the official United Nations side event, "Black Gold and the Green Economy: Hydrocarbon Exporters' Perspectives," at the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development. Both the UAE and Norway have emerged as vocal champions of clean energy and green growth through national policy and overseas development assistance, while remaining two of the world's largest and most reliable hydrocarbon exporters. Drawing on diverse views from the public and private sectors, the event examines the sustainability rationale in hydrocarbon-exporting countries, as well as their role in the global transition to sustainable development. The event marks the summit's only direct discussion of oil and gas in the Rio+20 agenda. Opening remarks by Dr. Rashid bin Fahad, UAE Minister of Environment, and Audun Garberg, Norwegian Undersecretary of the Environment, addressed both the drivers and barriers that shape long-term economic, social, and environmental health and performance in their countries. Jose Maria Figueres, president of the Carbon War Room and former president of Costa Rica, moderated the interactive, frank conversation about hydrocarbon exporters' motivations for pursuing green growth measures and the likely sustainability efforts in energy-exporting countries over the next decade given the direction of world energy markets. Confirmed panelists include: Bader Al-Lamki, Director of Clean Energy and Carbon, Masdar Phillipe Benoit, Head of Energy Efficiency and Environment, IEA Michael Liebreich, CEO, Bloomberg New Energy Finance Hege Marie Norheim, SVP of Climate, Statoil Samantha Smith, Global Head of Climate, World Wildlife Fund Nejib Zaafrani, CEO, Dubai Supreme Council of Energy "The national experiences unique to the UAE and Norway show that there is a robust rationale for diversifying and evolving our energy markets, leveraging our historic expertise. We are in the vanguard of clean energy deployment at home and abroad because we understand the costs of resource inefficiency and the importance of having a diversified energy mix," said Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, The UAE Special Envoy for Energy '&' Climate Change, and Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, the UAE's pioneering clean energy and sustainable development company. Reflecting this outlook, the UAE has made unprecedented multi-billion-dollar investments in renewable energy, urban sustainability, and carbon and environmental management in the last decade. Domestically, the UAE has committed to over 2500MW of solar and wind projects, while abroad its portfolio includes the London Array, the world's largest wind farm, and the pioneering Gemasolar in Spain, which can supply solar power around the clock. The UAE is also a major supporter of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Sustainable Energy for All initiative, implementing grant-based renewable energy projects in the Seychelles, Tonga, Afghanistan, and Mauritania. The UAE has moreover developed as a global hub for cooperation on clean energy and sustainability. It hosts the 157-country International Renewable Energy Agency, as well as the regional office of the Global Green Growth Institute, and each year brings over 25,000 leading business and government representatives to the World Future Energy Summit, the premier conference on the clean energy sector. Masdar City, a global incubator for cutting-edge sustainable urban technologies, and Masdar Institute, a research university developed with MIT, furthermore foster continual partnership with leading global sustainability innovators. "Collaboration between governments and the NGO sector is imperative to illuminating the right approach to protecting the environment while supporting efforts that will build a green economy," said Dr. Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahad, UAE Minister of Environment and Water. "The UAE has emerged as a hub for international sustainability cooperation, as demonstrated by its role as host to the International Renewable Energy Agency, as well as its development of Masdar City and the Masdar Institute, the Middle East's most renowned research Centre that incubates and disseminates clean technology in partnership with leading global innovators." "Black Gold and the Green Economy" will take place on 20 June 2012 at 7:00 pm, at Rio Centro, Pavilion 3. Seating is limited to 100 guests. About The United Arab Emirates at the Rio+20 UN Conference for Sustainable Development The UAE is innovating and empowering others to build a sustainable future for all, building on the legacy of its founding fathers to deliver on promises today. Through advanced thinking and technology, the UAE is bringing to life action-oriented ideas and innovation that lead to a sustainable economy, environment and society. As part of a growing international movement, the country is collaborating with like-minded nations to continuously learn best practices, build upon progress, and create a sustainable future for all. The UN Conference on Sustainable Development Rio+20 is organised by the United Nations in coordination with the Brazilian government, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the original Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. More than 130 heads of state and government will attend, joined by over 50,000 representatives of business, NGOs, government, and civil society. – Emirates News Agency, WAM