Industry leaders gather to tackle energy efficiency at EEES 2016

Dubai, UAE; February 4, 2016: Cutting straight to the heart of the Middle East’s energy efficiency challenges, the inaugural Emirates Energy Efficiency Summit (EEES 2016) has brought together some of the industry’s most influential thinkers this week, to tackle the biggest issues facing the region today.

Hosted by founding partners GE and The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the invitation-only summit comes following a year of continued global energy crises and renewed volatility in the crude oil market – making the informative program of roundtable discussions and expert presentations more relevant and vital than ever before.

Combining business and social interests with government action in order to drive progress on energy saving and climate change projects, the summit aimed to foster enhanced communication, while educating participants about key energy efficiency issues and trends.  With high-level delegates spanning the worlds of business, government and the media, the event provided a thought-provoking platform for two-way dialogue – with numerous takeaways that will go on to deliver real action.  

Held at the American University in Dubai, delegates were welcomed by partners Dalya Al Muthanna, President & CEO of GE Gulf; HE Mr. Bernard Fautrier, Vice-President & CEO of The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation; Dr. Lance E. de Masi, President of AUD and Dr. Mohamed Ahmed Bin Fahad, Chairman of the Zayed International Foundation for the Environment.

HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco attended the inaugural Emirates Energy Efficiency Summit and shared his own insights into the discussion.  His Serene Highness commented: “As a follow up to the Euro Mediterranean meetings organized in Monaco over the past five years, the Emirates Energy Efficiency Summit offers a global approach to energy issues, due both to the questions raised and the eminent figures who provide answers. How can we mobilize individuals, companies and states for fundamental change, which is not cost neutral and whose results are sometimes distant? This question is I believe at the heart of any environmental commitment.”

Welcoming the guests to the university, Dr. Lance de Masi, President of AUD, commented: “Any role that AUD or its constituencies can play in facilitating discussion of this topic and the steps that need to be taken to improve awareness and provoke action by government and/or the private sector assists in the university's mission to contribute to society, both locally and worldwide. In that respect, I am pleased that attendees had the chance to hear directly from AUD students on this subject. And I would be remiss if I didn't mention the wider national context of responsiveness circumscribed by the UAE's many achievements in the field of energy efficiency. Let us not forget the position of renewable and clean energy as a pillar of the UAE National Innovation Strategy.”   

Dalya Al Muthanna observed: “The Summit is a path-breaking event as it mobilizes definitive action on energy efficiency, which is a key pillar of sustainable development and an imperative in today’s economic environment.  The UAE is taking the lead in this with the government’s focus on promoting clean energy initiatives, and nurturing a culture of innovation and localization. GE’s Industrial Internet solutions that promote the operational efficiency and productivity of our partners, and our Ecomagination commitment complement the UAE Vision 2021 and the Smart City initiative announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, which are led by the pillars of digitization, innovation and sustainability.”

Among the prestigious speakers that took to the stage were HE Ahmad Buti Al Muhairbi, Secretary General, Supreme Council of Energy; Dr. Meshgan Al Awar Secretary General Zayed International Prize for the Environment, Dubai and Mr Abdulla Alshahyari, Acting Director of the Conservation and Efficiency Department at the UAE Ministry of Energy, who shared case studies and examples of best practice, as well as showcasing existing and future initiatives.

Erdem Soyal, Project Sales General Manager for GE Middle East, Africa and Turkey (MEAT), commented: “Sharing knowledge and insights is an important part of the process towards creating tangible and lasting change. This first event has been a real success and a major step forward in achieving our energy efficiency goals.  Our hope is that the Emirates Energy Efficiency Summit will create an annual space for motivated organizations and individuals to come together and debate the real issues and problems – through which we can find true solutions to the energy challenges we face today.”