Sharjah – The urgent need for change and development in energy systems in the region was underlined today at the opening of the Annual Conference of the Arab forum for Environment and Development (AFED) which took place at the American University of Sharjah (AUS).
The two-day conference which was opened under the patronage of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, was also attended by over 800 delegates from 52 countries including ministers, parliamentarians, diplomats, government agencies, private sector, research centres, and international and regional organisations.
Dr Mohammad Al Ashry, AFED’s report’s co-editor and vice-president of AFED’s Board of Trustees, pointed out that while 60 million Arab people are without access to modern energy services, mainly electricity, energy intensity and per capita carbon emissions in the Arab world are among the highest in the world.
The 2013 AFED annual report on sustainable energy in Arab countries found that energy systems in the Arab region, which are dominated by fossil fuels, are not sustainable in economic, environmental or social terms.
The first day of the conference concluded with a long-term commitment to the right policies and investments, along with enhanced energy efficiency and cleaner technologies, and renewable sources for a more sustainable future in the Arab world.
The changes would create high-paying jobs and allow the export of renewable energy in addition to oil and gas.
Discussing a path towards a future of more sustainable energy, Al Ashry emphasised the need to be prepared for environmental changes and their impacts. “We need to take into account all the factors from climate change to the increase in sea level to energy resources,” said Al Ashry. He added that climate change concerns would potentially lead to major policy shifts in global energy markets impacting hydropower and solar energy.
Najeeb Saab, AFED’s secretary general, who presented AFED’s 2013 work report, also referred to the political instability in the Arab world as another challenge when trying to implement an environmental agenda in the region. “But after all the conflicts, people will still need to protect the natural capital, because revolutions do not substitute sustainable development,” he added.
Green Middle East Exhibition
Taking place simultaneously, the third Green Middle East environment management and technology exhibition at Expo Centre Sharjah was also opened today by Dr Shaikh Sultan.
Running until October 30, the exhibition gathered key global players in the technology industry in line with the UAE’s efforts to achieve the maximum in climate change and environmental sustainability regionally and globally, said Dr Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahd, UAE Minister of Environment and Water.
With several green projects under way in the region, the latest green project, which is the world’s largest concentrated solar power plant, was the highlight of the exhibition. The Mohammad Bin Rashid Solar Park project was launched last week.
“The growth of the green technology sector is unstoppable. New technology and innovations are in constant demand due to rising population, increasing consumption of natural resources and looming water scarcity,” said Saif Mohammad Al Midfa, CEO of Expo Centre Sharjah.
The three-day exhibition is open daily from 10am to 6pm. Admission is restricted to trade and professional visitors only.
