6th World Future Energy Summit opens in Abu Dhabi with 30,000 attendees from 150 countries expected

More than 30,000 people from 150 countries including world leaders, government ministers, official delegations C-level business executives, academics, scientists, engineers, developers, global companies and entrepreneurs will converge on the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) to discuss, debate and display the latest thinking in renewable and cleantech energy.

The French president, Francois Hollande, will deliver a keynote speech at today�'s official inauguration of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week which will take place at the opening ceremony of the World Future Energy Summit, and will stress the strong ties between both countries and the mutual interest in clean energy.

Also delivering keynote speeches at the official opening ceremony are Argentinian President Cristina Fernandez and HRH Queen Rania of Jordan.

Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Masdar, host of the World Future Energy Summit and the International Water Summit, will present a welcome speech and Siemens will present an industry perspective.

The participation of a large number of international energy ministers in the Ministerial Panels on today�'s opening day of the World Future Energy Summit shows the seriousness with which governments are taking the renewable energy challenges. Ministers from India, China, Australia, Peru, Morocco, Qatar and Saudi Arabia will be among the contributors to the debate after the gala Official Opening Ceremony.

Leaders from some of the world�'s most influential economic development and environment organizations will deliver keynote speeches during the Ministerial Panels including Wu Hongbo, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations; Todd Stern, USA�'s Special Envoy for Climate Change; Connie Hedegaard, EU Commissioner Climate Action in the European Commission; and Jeffrey Sachs, Director of The Earth Institute at Columbia University and Special Advisor to the United Nations Secretary�]General on the Millennium Development Goals.

Mr Naji El Haddad, WFES Show Director for event organizer Reed Exhibitions, is encouraged by the increased numbers participating in the sixth edition of the World Future Energy Summit, hosted by Masdar.

�gWe are expecting the most successful WFES since its inception in 2008 as global awareness of the need for renewable energy continues to grow.�h
�gOur pre-registered numbers are 20 per cent higher than this time last year. There will be ten more official delegations than 2012, and the number of conference delegates has increased significantly,�h said Mr El Haddad.

Aside from the high-powered programme of the prestigious biennial International Renewable Energy Conference in Abu Dhabi (ADIREC), being held for the first time in the Middle East, the exhibition area at WFES 2013 promises to be the focus of attention with an increased number of side events and several features making their debut.

�gExhibitor numbers are up by 10% on 2012�'s event, and these global companies will be launching over 70 new products, 20 more than last year,�h said Mr El Haddad. �gWe are also introducing exciting new features such as the Technology Exchange Platform, the Green Ideas Fair in conjunction with the International Water Summit, the Green Jobs Fair and the Sustainable Living area which includes a full-size Estidama-compliant energy efficient home.�h

�gThe Zero Tracer, a futuristic electric motorcycle which can reach speeds of up to 300 kilometres per hour, is sure to be one of the star attractions,�h said Mr El Haddad.

One of the most successful WFES features, the Project & Finance Village, returns for its third year, with more and bigger projects seeking investment totalling more than $8bn.

The sixth World Future Energy Summit, which starts today until Thursday, hosted by Masdar, Abu Dhabi�fs renewable energy company, is the centerpiece of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week and will be co-located with the inaugural International Water Summit, also hosted by Masdar.

The World Future Energy Summit 2013 will also be the host venue for the prestigious biennial International Renewable Energy Conference. The Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week will open with the third session of the Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).