UAE Announces Four New Renewable Energy Projects in the Pacific under $50m Fund

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) today signed partnership agreements with four new Pacific island countries to deploy renewable energy projects under the US$50 million UAE-Pacific Partnership Fund. Grant funding is provided by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs managing the initiative and Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, leading implementation. The solar-powered projects – in the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, and the Solomon Islands – are expected to be completed in 2016. The announcement brings the total number of projects under the fund to date to 10.

Mohammad bin Rashed, Mohammad bin Zayed and Egypt’s President Sisi Award ZFEP 2015 Winners

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashed al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, His Excellency Abdulfattah El Sisi, President of the Republic of Egypt and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Awarded the 7th Zayed Future Energy Prize winners at an awards ceremony today during the opening of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.

Women in Sustainability Unite at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week

Young Emirati to Join Solar Impulse team on Historic Round-the-World Flight

Hasan Al Redaini will join the Solar Impulse 2 (Si2) team on its round-the-world journey set to take-off this March from Abu Dhabi. Si2 is the first solar-powered plane able to fly day and night without a drop of fuel.

‘Blue Economy Summit’ Highlights Importance of Marine Ecosystems in Achieving Global Sustainability

The ‘Blue Economy Summit’ was held today in Abu Dhabi to address the unique climate and sustainably challenges facing Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and marine ecosystems. With over 70 percent of the world’s surface covered by oceans, protecting the health of marine environments is fundamental to protecting the world’s interconnected economies and long-term sustainability.

Masdar Announces Winner of Second International Blogging Contest

Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, today announced the winner of its annual Engage Blogging Contest. Masdar initiated the competition to drive international discussion about the role cities can have on sustainable development across the world. The contest received 117 entries from six continents and motivated thousands of readers to share their ideas about sustainability across Masdar’s web site, blogs and social media platforms in advance of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), the largest gathering on sustainability in the Middle East.

GE Unveils Ecomagination Center in Masdar City

GE today unveiled its ecomagination Center in Masdar City to develop innovative solutions for driving sustainable growth. Masdar City, located in Abu Dhabi, UAE is one of the world’s most sustainable cities and is on a mission to discover a “greenprint” for how cities can accommodate for denser populations, while reducing energy, water and waste.

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.

Masdar Announces Winner of its International Blogging Contest Focused on Water and Energy Challenges

Masdar announced the winner of its international blogging contest. Masdar initiated the competition to drive international discussion about the interconnected water and energy challenges facing communities around the world. The contest received more than 70 entries and engaged thousands of readers as it sparked worldwide discussion of sustainability issues in advance of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), the largest gathering on sustainability in the history of the Middle East.

First Eco-Friendly Credit Card Launched in the UAE

Major leading UAE financial institution, First Gulf Bank (FGB), will launch the UAE’s first green Visa Credit Card next week in association with Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, at the sixth World Future Energy Summit during the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. The First Gulf Bank Masdar Card allows members of the community to become more involved in different environmentally sustainable initiatives. The product falls in line within a series of socially geared products that FGB has developed recently.

Queen Rania of Jordan to Speak at Opening Ceremony of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week

Taking place January 13-17, ADSW is the largest gathering on sustainability in the history of the Middle East and will address the interconnected challenges that affect the global adoption of renewable energy, water security and sustainable development.

Crown Prince Inaugurates Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week

Attracting over 30,000 participants from 150 countries, including world leaders, policy makers, thought leaders, decision-makers, experts, scientists, business leaders and academics, the significant platform for international dialogue and cooperation will tackle the world's pressing issues in energy, water and environment, accelerate the global adoption of renewable energy, address water challenges in arid regions, elevate the water - energy nexus topics on the global agenda, and encourage the dialogue between broad industry stakeholders to strengthen strategic partnerships as well as stimulate investment in water, energy and environment projects and empower the young generations and entrepreneurs.

5,000 Students Attend WFES and International Water Summit in Abu Dhabi

More than 5,000 school and university students from across the UAE experienced how world leaders are addressing the challenges of energy, climate change, sustainable development and water conservation during this year’s World Future Energy Summit (WFES) and International Water Summit (IWS) in Abu Dhabi. The students, representing more than 800 schools and universities from all seven emirates, were hosted by Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company.

Zayed Future Energy Prize Jury Members Visit Masdar’s Shams 1 Solar Power Station

The largest CSP plant in the Middle East and North Africa when commissioned later this year, Shams 1 will offset nearly 175,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year, which is equivalent to planting 1.5 million trees or taking 15,000 cars off the road.

Masdar Sponsors Two “Green” Films at 6th Annual Abu Dhabi Film Festival

In addition to sponsoring the films, Masdar will host a private screening of Trashed, a documentary film about the ever-increasing global problem of waste and overflowing landfills. The private screening will be joined by the movie’s director Candida Brady, and will be held at the Emirates Palace. The event will also include a question and answer session between the director and students and faculty from the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology – the Middle East’s first graduate research institution dedicated to renewable energy and clean technologies. The movie features Academy Award-winning actor Jeremy Irons.

Construction Begins on Masdar and International Renewable Energy Agency Headquarters Complex

Masdar today announced the awarding of the design and construction contract for its new headquarters complex, which will also house the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). The headquarters will be one of the most advanced, sustainable multi-use complexes in the United Arab Emirates. It will be the cornerstone of Masdar City – the special economic zone, clean-technology cluster and low-carbon city in Abu Dhabi. Completion is set for summer of 2014.

Abu Dhabi Named Host City For The First Round-The-World Solar Flight By Solar Impulse 2

Abu Dhabi, capital city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), will be the start and finish of the first solar-powered flight around the world, which co-founders and pilots, Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg are planning to undertake in March 2015 with Solar Impulse 2.

Solar Impulse 2 Arrives in Abu Dhabi

Solar Impulse 2 (Si2), the world’s first solar-powered plane able to fly day and night without a drop of fuel, arrived in Abu Dhabi by cargo plane from Switzerland. Si2’s crew of 80 technicians, engineers and a communications team will spend the next week re-assembling the giant plane and readying it for public display this month at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) in advance of its March take-off on its round-the-world flight.

German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel Visits Masdar

Sigmar Gabriel, German vice chancellor and minister for economic affairs and energy, and a delegation of senior officials yesterday visited Masdar. The delegation also toured Masdar City, one of the world’s most sustainable urban developments, and the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology in a visit that underscores the alignment between the UAE and Germany on the importance of developing and adopting clean technology and renewable energy.

Tony Blair addresses UAE-UK Hosted Climate Finance Roundtable in New York City

“The finance sector is an indispensable partner in the future success of clean energy,” said Mr. Tony Blair, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. “During the time that I have worked to advance solutions to climate change I have seen an important shift from high level policy discussions to practical solutions on the ground.” He pointed to the UAE as one of the leaders in this transition.