Second Edition of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week Kicks Off

The second edition of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) gets underway today, welcoming global leaders to the UAE capital for a week of high-level dialogue to address the interconnected challenges affecting renewable energy, water scarcity and sustainable development. Taking place January 18-25, ADSW is the Middle East’s largest gathering on sustainability.

The official opening ceremony of ADSW will be held January 20. Attending ADSW is the Crown Prince of Denmark, six presidents, three prime ministers, 67 ministers and the heads of 144 international delegations.

Notable attendees include: His Royal Highness Frederik André Henrik Christian, Crown Prince of Denmark; His Excellency Ernest Bai Koroma, President of Sierra Leone; His Excellency Macky Sall, President of Senegal; His Excellency Thomas Yayi Boni, President of Benin; His Excellency James Alix Michel, President of the Republic of Seychelles; Her Excellency Joyce Hilda Banda, President of Malawi; His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka; His Excellency Hailemariam Desalegn, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia; His Excellency Sialeʻataongo Tuʻivakanō, Prime Minister of Tonga; His Excellency Henry Tuakeu Puna, Prime Minister of the Cook Islands. 

Hosted by Masdar, the week-long series of events will attract policy makers, thought leaders, private sector experts and scientific scholars from more than 150 countries to advance the global deployment of renewable energy and discuss the evolving energy landscape, together with issues related to water scarcity, sustainable economic growth and waste management. 

“Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week is one of the world’s most important gatherings focused on renewable energy, water and sustainability. Its growth, year after year, demonstrates ADSW’s success in uniting policy makers, scholars and business leaders as we find solutions to the world’s most pressing sustainability challenges,” said H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE minister of state and CEO of Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company.

“ADSW reinforces the UAE’s commitment to sustainable economic growth,” added Dr. Al Jaber. “Through clean energy projects both at home and abroad, we are helping improve energy access and security – vital elements to achieving sustainable economic development.” 

ADSW will begin with the fourth assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). The world's first intergovernmental organisation dedicated to renewable energy, IRENA is headquartered in Abu Dhabi and counts 163 states among its members. The assembly occurs January 18-19.

The World Future Energy Summit (WFES), International Water Summit (IWS) and EcoWASTE exhibition will take place January 20 - 22 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

WFES, now in its seventh year, is the world’s foremost event dedicated to the advancement of renewable energy, energy efficiency and clean technology. The conference programme and exhibition will engage political, business, finance, academic and industry figures on the deployment of renewable energy, the business opportunities within the renewables sector and the need to continue to drive innovation and investment in order to diversify the global energy mix. More than 860 exhibiting companies have already registered. 

The second edition of IWS will address water scarcity, sustainable strategies and emerging water technologies in arid regions, the future challenges of water availability and promote international collaboration on water governance to address the water-energy nexus. 

EcoWASTE, taking place during ADSW for the first time in partnership with Abu Dhabi’s Centre of Waste Management, will highlight progress in waste-to-energy technology and discuss its widespread adoption as a viable long-term contributor to a balanced energy approach.

Winners of the Zayed Future Energy Prize will also be announced during ADSW, at an awards ceremony on January 20. The US$4 million prize was established by the UAE leadership to recognise and reward excellence in renewable energy and sustainability.

Other notable events scheduled during ADSW include:

IRENA Renewable Energy Jobs Conference will address how the renewable energy sector has become a significant employer with the potential for adding millions of jobs worldwide in the coming years.

The Blue Economy Summit aims to identify the key components needed for the sustainable development of oceans and coastal regions, framing the financing and policy priorities for both the international community and national governments.

The First Indian Ocean Renewable Energy Ministerial Forum, at which 26 member and partner countries of the Indian Ocean Rim Association will discuss resource assessment, cost analysis and capacity-building.

The Festival @ Masdar City, one of ADSW’s key community engagement activities and hosted in Masdar City, is designed to inspire UAE residents to adopt more sustainable habits through fun-filled activities.