Argentinian President to deliver keynote speech at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week

Taking place from January 13-17, ADSW will be the largest sustainability gathering 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.

President Kirchner's keynote address, combined with the first energy ministerial of South American and Arab countries taking place one day later, underscores the growing ties between the Middle East and South America, particularly in the field of renewable energy.

"Argentina, like the UAE, is committed to addressing the adoption of renewable energy to address the global energy challenge," said Ruben Eduardo Caro, Argentinian ambassador to the UAE. "The World Future Energy Summit, as part of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, will be a platform that enables Argentina to establish a dialogue and work with political and business leaders in order to identify how they can further develop renewable energy and sustainable development solutions."

Argentina, the third-largest energy market in Latin America, has approximately 1GW of installed renewable energy capacity, and is taking significant steps to bolster its renewable energy sector. The government aims for the country to generate 8% of its power from renewables by 2016, roughly equivalent to 2GW capacity, and has set a target of generating 3.3GW of solar power by 2020. It is also planning to build the largest wind power project in Latin America, which will begin producing power in 2015.

"It is an honor to have President Kirchner deliver a keynote address at the World Future Energy Summit and the inaugural Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week," said Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, CEO of Masdar. "The United Arab Emirates and Argentina hold a deep rooted relationship and we look forward to strengthening those bonds across the fields of renewable energy and sustainability.

"Abu Dhabi has emerged as an international energy hub," added Dr. Al Jaber. "Through global platforms like the World Future Energy Summit, the International Water Summit and the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, we encourage meaningful dialogue and opportunities for public and private sectors to work together. Collaboration is fundamental to advancing the development and deployment of renewable energy around the world."

ADSW will convene more than 30,000 participants from 150 countries, including leaders from academia, industry and government, to tackle the business, technology and financial challenges required for sustainable development and renewable energy adoption. ADSW will include five integrated events: the third general assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency; the sixth World Future Energy Summit; the International Renewable Energy Conference; the International Water Summit; and the fifth Zayed Future Energy Prize Awards Ceremony.

"To seriously address global sustainability, the relationship between economic development, energy security, water scarcity and climate change cannot be overlooked," added Dr. Al Jaber. "Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week will address these interconnected challenges and promote tangible ways to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy, improve water access and ensure sustainable development."

President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner will join Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan, French President François Hollande and other keynote speakers at the inauguration of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. An industry perspective will also be given by Siemens CEO Peter Löscher at the opening ceremony. Among the attendees are His Majesty King Juan Carlos of Spain, the President of Iceland Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, Prime Minister of Serbia Ivica Daèiæ, Prime Minister of Montenegro Milo Djukanovic, and President of Mauritania Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz.