Abu Dhabi's bold vision for sustainable energy is transforming this nation and inspiring our region: Queen Rania

Abu Dhabi, Jan 16, 2013 (WAM) - Abu Dhabi's bold vision for sustainable energy is transforming this nation and inspiring our region .at a time when the Arab world is at a critical juncture, said Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan. ''No one can predict the future, but this much is true: energy requirements will play a vital role in determining it,'' she told the World Future Energy Summit which opened yesterday in Abu Dhabi by His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, in the attendance of a distinguished and talented audience: politicians, business leaders, innovators, scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs Speaking through the theme ''Where there is power, there is development'', Queen Rania said 'By being here today, you're already part of the solution to the global energy crisis. Fuelling our future with innovation and humanity. Bringing power, and with it, empowerment, to millions around the world. So, thank you Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Abu Dhabi, and Masdar for bringing us together. ''The Arab world includes some of the richest and the poorest countries in terms of energy resources. This stark disparity is evident even in countries that share borders. Despite neighbouring some of the most oil rich countries, my country, Jordan, relies on imports to cover 96 per cent of our energy needs,'' she added. ''Our region hosts yet another contradiction. We're rich in the energy of our overwhelmingly young population, but poor in the opportunities we can offer them. ''But in the absence of long-term, sustainable solutions to our energy needs, progress will be slow and uneven. Not just in this region, but everywhere. Today 1.4 billion people, 1 in 5 in the world, still cannot access grid electricity. For a billion more, access is unreliable. And without sustainable energy, there can be no sustainable development,'' she noted. ''Energy is humanity's lifeblood; where it flows, prosperity burgeons. Where it stalls, the impoverished and disadvantaged languish burdened by multiple challenges. ''With capital investment and political will, we could light up schools for children power health clinics for mothers and their babies and pump clean water for families. ''With new energy we could fuel a solar revolution bring about a boom in the science, engineering and manufacturing fields build green industries and green jobs and open new markets for aspiring entrepreneurs. Proven, innovative solutions exist. And I'm proud that many of them are coming from the Arab World. ''I'm proud of Abu Dhabi of its global leadership role in sustainable development. And Masdar City a test-bed for renewable energy and technology. ''And, I'm pleased that, for the first time, this conference is engaging and encouraging high school students to find innovative energy solutions, through the Zayed Future Energy Prize. ''But while there are many examples of new energy technologies, they are still too few and far between. They must be streamlined and scaled up. Made cheaper and more efficient. ''Ladies and gentlemen, there is an industry waiting to be tapped. And the Arab world is perfectly positioned not only to tap it but to lead it,'' she said. ''In so doing, we would be addressing one of the key fundamentals to a more corrective course for the region, using the potent energy of our people to chart the way forward,'' Queen Rania concluded. - Emirates News Agency, WAM