UAE | Environment

Shaikha Lubna makes strong case for UAE to host Irena

UAE Foreign Trade Minister Shaikha Lubna Al Qasimi, made a strong case for the UAE to host the seat of the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) at the second preparatory meeting of the, which was held on Monday in Egyptian city of Sharm El Sheikh.

  • WAM
  • Published: 00:14 June 30, 2009
  • Gulf News

Sharm El Sheikh,Egypt: UAE Foreign Trade Minister Shaikha Lubna Al Qasimi, made a strong case for the UAE to host the seat of the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) at the second preparatory meeting of the, which was held on Monday in Egyptian city of Sharm El Sheikh.

"It gives me great pleasure to see all of you here today and to be part of this historic conference. And to see so many united in the idea of a future built on the foundations of renewable, sustainable and clean energy", the UAE minister said.

She added that "We have important issues to address in this conference, including the location of Irena's new Headquarters and the selection of the Agency's first Director General. However, a far greater task awaits us as we jointly commit ourselves to transforming Irena from an abstract idea to a tangible reality."

She underscored statistics clearly demonstrate that access to energy is a powerful indicator of human development, and that without such access, large portions of the world's population will remain vulnerable to poverty and sickness. However, statistics also clearly show that traditional forms of energy are unsustainable and will ultimately lead to global crisis.

The full speech:

Your Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,
"It gives me great pleasure to see all of you here today and to be part of this historic conference ...And to see so many united in the idea of a future built on the foundations of renewable, sustainable and clean energy.

This day marks a new era in which all countries, developed and developing, will begin our work together, under the rubric of the International Renewable Energy Agency.

We have important issues to address in this conference, including the location of Irena's new Headquarters and the selection of the Agency's first Director General. However, a far greater task awaits us as we jointly commit ourselves to transforming Irena from an abstract idea to a tangible reality.

To accomplish this task, we need to develop a shared vision of what Irena will represent and how we can support it in meeting the challenges that lie ahead. And it is in that spirit that I would like to share a UAE perspective on both of these points.

Statistics clearly demonstrate that access to energy is a powerful indicator of human development, and that without such access, large portions of the world's population will remain vulnerable to poverty and sickness. However, statistics also clearly show that traditional forms of energy are unsustainable and will ultimately lead to global crisis.

Without energy our societies face chaos and uncertainty. With finite energy, we face the threat of resource depletion, environmental deterioration, and devastating climate change.

We are all here today because we share the belief that a global commitment to developing and deploying renewable energy resources will help us satisfy the urgent need for more energy and the parallel and equally urgent need to eliminate the negative consequences of traditional forms of energy production and consumption.

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