Ragheb Alama to attend opening ceremony of WFES as UN Climate Change Ambassador

Alama is attending the first two days of WFES in his capacity as the United Nations Environment Programme's (UNEP) Climate Change Ambassador in the Arab world, a position he has held since 2009.

The sixth edition of the summit expects to receive more than 30,000 attendees from 150 countries and will host 630 exhibitors from 40 countries.

Adopting the cause of environmental awareness, Alama has enjoyed chart success for more than 30 years.

Regarded as one of the Arab world's most commercially successful artists, he is the first Arab singer to produce a music video and enjoys significant cross-over appeal, having collaborated with Western pop luminaries such as Shakira.

He has received two Murex d'Or awards and is now a judge on the Middle East equivalent of hit talent show 'American Idol'.

"We are all responsible for working towards a more sustainable and more energy efficient future for ourselves and our children. Events like the World Future Energy Summit are key to spreading the message and learning about new ways we can all play our part," said Ragheb Alama, who is building on his presence at Doha's COP18 meeting at the end of last year.

Hosted by Masdar, Abu Dhabi's multi-faceted renewable energy company, WFES will be held from January 15-17 and is the centrepiece of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. WFES 2013 is co-located with the inaugural International Water Summit and also hosts the biennial International Renewable Energy Conference.

"Raghab Alama is a great role model for people across the Middle East and by lending his support to WFES, he will help raise awareness of the key challenges surrounding renewable energy and sustainability. We're delighted to have Ragheb on board," said Naji Haddad, Show Director for WFES 2013.