‘Sustainable Arabia: Clean Energy 2012’ in Dubai Develops Common Stand for Arab Countries Attending Rio+20 Summit in Brazil
Abu Dhabi-UAE: 07 May, 2012 – Two members of the Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) program, an outreach initiative of Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, highlighted the role of youth groups in managing future economies at the Sustainable Arabia: Clean Energy 2012 conference in Dubai.
Organized under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the event was held from 2-3 May in Dubai. Hosted by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in cooperation with the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy (DCSE), and International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the event served as a preparatory meeting for Arab countries attending the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20 Summit) in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, in June.
Sustainable Arabia: Clean Energy 2012 aimed to address various issues and work toward reaching a common understanding of the need to transition to a green economy and what is needed to make such transition. Policy experts, representatives of global and regional development organizations and various practitioners and relevant stakeholders from across the Arab region attended the event.
The YFEL members’ participation was part of YFEL’s mandate to bring together students and promising young professionals from the UAE and around the world in a series of networking, skill development and idea sharing global forums with international political, business and sustainability leaders.
The two YEFL 2012 members who participated in the session titled ‘Public Engagement & Awareness’ – Who should be aware, of what? by whom? and How?’ included Iman Ustadi and Mohamed Al Sharhan, Research Assistants, Engineering Systems and Management program, Masdar Institute.
Dr Lamya Fawwaz, Executive Director, Public Affairs, Masdar Institute, said: “YFEL is one of the most dynamic platforms for youth to engage and interact with international leaders in the energy sector. By highlighting and specifying their role in tomorrow’s green economies at Sustainable Arabia: Clean Energy 2012, the YFEL members have demonstrated their capabilities and strengths in preparation to become tomorrow’s leaders in this field. The event proved to be not only an appropriate knowledge-sharing forum for YFEL members, but an occasion to gauge insights from current energy industry leaders. We thank the wise leadership of the UAE for their guidance and support, enabling YFEL to continue being a meaningful and relevant program for the country’s youth.”
The session focused on how to engage stakeholders and reach a buy-in from all segments of societies in the Arab world – from policy makers to market developers and through to the average citizen. During the discussions, the YFEL members analyzed the best role for the youth groups’ engagement to ensure a green economy in which they will have the highest stake, the potential ways to mobilize the energy of the youth and the right combination to effectively use the youthful energy.
Zainab Al Ali, Senior Outreach Officer and Coordinator of the YFEL Program, said: “YFEL members are given opportunities to engage with global industry leaders and gain exposure to the expertise-sharing forums and policy-making processes. Several additional activities and courses have been lined up for the rest of the year for the YFEL members to proactively participate and benefit from these programs.”
The regional dialogue at Sustainable Arabia: Clean Energy 2012 helped open the doors for the Arab countries to share experiences, knowledge, and best practices, as well as to reach a common stand, while taking into account the previous work done on this issue. It also helped to promote public and private partnership within the regulatory framework and environmental policies, develop high-level but practical recommendations for policies, regulations, institutions, and practices, as well as develop recommendations for regional cooperation.
YFEL offers participants exceptional and unmatched access to top global leaders, senior business executives and academics engaged in alternative energy and sustainability through events such as World Future Energy Summit (WFES) in Abu Dhabi and other major events held globally. It is mandated to educate, inspire and empower students and young professionals to become future leaders capable of solving the world’s most pressing challenges in advanced energy and sustainability.
