The sixteenth session of the World Future Energy Summit, the most prominent annual forum in the field of future energy and sustainability, concluded on Thursday, hosted by the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar), where the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center attracted the most prominent experts in sustainability, energy, transportation and urban planning. To discuss future plans and solutions in the fields of electric mobility and smart cities.
The working hours of the final day of the summit were extended, after the return of favorable weather conditions, and after the summit in the past two days addressed the topics of green financing and limiting temperatures from exceeding the threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius, the focus on the closing day was on electric mobility and smart cities.
The sessions of the Electric Mobility Forum discussed plans to prepare for the adoption of autonomous transportation, by developing the design of cities differently and enhancing the flexibility of infrastructure, with an emphasis on the importance of cooperation between stakeholders at all levels of the green transportation sector. The forum highlighted the UAE’s efforts to raise the proportion of its sales of new energy vehicles to 50% of total car sales by 2030.
Naveen Ahmed, advisor and transaction coordinator at the Pakistan Private Finance Advisory Network, explained how Pakistan, which has the second largest road network in the world, is prioritizing the adoption of electric vehicles to mitigate pollution and climate concerns.
Meanwhile, Chris Wan, Deputy Director of Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility at Masdar City, explained the importance of sustainable planning centering around people first before starting to develop designs, infrastructure and functions for future cities and communities.
Wan said: “Masdar, as an investment company, is making every effort with regard to sustainable urban planning to prove the economic feasibility of environmental sustainability, as it is not possible to induce a change in thinking mechanisms and encourage investment with the possibility of losing money.”
A new project in clean energy and climate action was announced in cooperation between the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries on the green transition, which revealed the establishment of a joint platform to exchange best practices and experiences between actors in both directions.
The summit included a number of areas dedicated to supporting innovation and startup companies, in addition to an area designated for the “Climate Innovation Exchange Forum – Clix” initiative, which supports 22 startup companies, founded, led and managed by women, as well as small and medium enterprises, where they can showcase their products and solutions. Revolutionary vision for stakeholders in the sector on a broader scale.
Susan Payne, Chief Operating Officer of Sustainable Plant, expressed her happiness at returning to Abu Dhabi. Her company, which specializes in agricultural food technology, is participating in the sixteenth session of the summit.
In the Masdar Innovation Zone, dozens of startup companies showcased a variety of products and solutions that focus on sustainability, and the UAE-based Food to Fertilizer Company highlighted a group of customized machines that use state-of-the-art drying technology. Patented for converting food waste and other organic materials into nutrient-rich fertilizer.
Speaking on the last day of the event, Lynn Al-Sibai, General Manager of RX Middle East and Chair of the World Future Energy Summit, said: “She topped the discussions centered on the mechanism for fulfilling the COP28 pledges, including efforts to limit temperatures exceeding the 1.5 threshold.” Celsius Discussions Over the past three days, we witnessed the conclusion of some important partnerships at this event that will support the world’s journey towards tripling renewable energy sources by 2030 and beyond. We are pleased to reveal that international participation has increased by 55% compared to last year.”