UAE signs agreement with World Economic Forum

Abu Dhabi, Jan 27, 2013 (WAM) - The United Arab Emirates will host the Summit on Global Agenda Councils until 2018 in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai under a strategic agreement with the World Economic Forum (WEF) during Davos Annual Meeting 2013 in Switzerland , signed by the UAE Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, and the Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, Professor Klaus Schwab. Al Gergawi said the term of the agreement with the WEF has been extended for the next five years in line with the directives of Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to enhance the UAE's position as a key player in encouraging intellectual dialogue, and proposing recommendations to resolve pressing global issues. "The strategic role played by the UAE in discussions on global challenges and efforts to find ideal solutions to critical issues emphasise the esteemed international position the country has attained under the wise leadership. The agreement to host this prestigious event until 2018 reflects the success of the UAE in organising such an important event which brings together several experts in a number of fields from across the world," he added. "The Network of Global Agenda Councils has flourished over the past five years since its association with the United Arab Emirates began. The UAE not only provides a supportive physical environment for Council members during their Annual Summit, it has provided the momentum for the Network to help drive crucial Council ideas and initiatives forward. This has helped the Summit on the Global Agenda to truly become the world's foremost meeting of thought leaders and I look forward working with our partners to continue this trajectory by finding new and innovative ways of helping address the world's toughest challenges," Professor Klaus Schwab, said. The Summit on the Global Agenda Councils, being hosted by the UAE every year, has been expanding the scope of participation to include all segments of society. According to the agreement, the Regional Organisations Forum to discuss the common challenges, will be held on the sidelines of the Summit. The agreement will ensure greater participation for Emarati experts by raising the formal representation of the UAE in the meetings of the Davos Summit organised annually by WEF. It will also aim to increase the number of the candidates from the UAE government participating in the meeting of the Summit on Global Agenda, held in the country. The Summit includes 85 sessions covering various topics held in the presence of over 1,000 experts and decision makers from around the world. Chairman of the Department of Economic Development-Abu Dhabi, Nasser Ahmed Al Suwaidi, said that Abu Dhabi Government believed in the importance of successful partnerships locally to enhance the position of the country internationally in terms of hosting global events. He asserted the readiness of Abu Dhabi to host the Summit, indicating the events of the sixth round of the Summit will be held in Abu Dhabi during 18-20 November 2013. "The continued hosting of the Summit on the Global Agenda Councils in the UAE reflects the esteemed position of the country as a global hub for economic events and important conferences, which contributes to enhancing the capabilities of the country, in general, and Dubai, in particular, to host the EXPO 2020. The participation of the UAE in the Summit strengthens the efforts to build the national cadres and competencies, as well as improves the position of the country globally," the Director General of Dubai Economic Department, Sami Daen Al Qamzi, said. The Summit on the Global Agenda Council brings together world class thinkers and thought leaders to meet, capture the best knowledge and challenge prevailing assumptions on topics such as financing and capitalism, climate change, food and water security, protection of intellectual property, organised crime, and other socio-economic, environmental and educational issues. The Summit will also present excellent opportunities for leading UAE innovators and thinkers to engage with their global peers from over the world. The UAE has been hosting the Summit since 2008 in association with the WEF. - Emirates News Agency, WAM Dewa says all infrastructure’s requirements have been delivered Saeed Mohammad Al Tayer, CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority said all the emirates infrastructure’s requirements for its ambitious development, economic, social, and construction plans are being delivered and implemented. Al Tayer said that Dewa works according to a strategic plan which leads towards the future as directed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Al Tayer explained that the authority’s electricity production capacity has been stepped up from 8721 Megawatts at the end of 2011 to 9646 Megawatts by the end of 2012, with an increase of 10,6 per cent. He also pointed out that the desalinated water production capacity increased from 400 million gallons daily in December 2011 to 470 million gallons daily by the end of 2012, with an increase of 17,5 per cent. He also said that the number of main transfer stations with a capacity of 132 kilovolts reached 184 station by the end of 2012 in comparison to 165 stations in 2011 with a growth rate of 11,5 per cent. The number of main transfer stations with a capacity of 400 kilovolts reached 18 stations by the end of 2012 in comparison to 17 stations in 2011, he added. In the context of water transfer networks, Al Tayer pointed out that the length of networks’ with radiuses between 1200 mm and 550 mm reached 2059 kilometres by the end of 2012 with a growth rate of 4 per cent. He also reiterated that the authority’s expansion plan on all levels takes into consideration the future increase of demand on both electricity and water for all development projects.