Sharif Al Olama, Under-Secretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI), underscored the importance of international collaboration to achieve a robust and sustainable energy transition during his inauguration of the Solar and Clean Energy Conference at the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) 2024. Held in Abu Dhabi, WFES is a leading annual event that focuses on future energy and sustainability solutions.
Al Olama emphasized the urgency of accelerating the shift towards clean energy sources. "The world is prioritizing a sustainable energy transition," he remarked, "but we need to ramp up our efforts considerably. While significant progress has been made, there's still a long way to go."
A key challenge highlighted by Al Olama is energy poverty, which disproportionately affects developing nations. "It's unacceptable that many parts of the world still lack access to basic energy sources," he said. "This isn't just a humanitarian issue; it's essential for collective prosperity and long-term sustainability." Al Olama expressed confidence that the solutions already exist, and that broader access to these technologies can be achieved through international cooperation.
The Solar and Clean Energy Conference is a key platform for stakeholders from around the world to exchange ideas and solutions on advancing renewable energy technologies. This year's conference program features presentations by leading experts on a wide range of topics, including solar energy innovation, energy storage solutions, and clean energy integration into national grids.
The World Future Energy Summit, which runs for three days, brings together industry leaders, policymakers, and researchers to discuss the entire spectrum of clean energy and sustainability challenges. The summit features five key conferences alongside the Solar and Clean Energy Conference, including ones focused on water desalination, energy efficiency, and future mobility. This year's edition has placed a particular emphasis on implementing the action plans outlined at the COP28 climate change conference held in Dubai last November.
WFES 2024 is expected to attract over 350 international experts who will share their insights on navigating the frameworks established at COP28. The summit will also feature the largest-ever participation of women speakers, who will offer critical perspectives on a variety of topics including climate change mitigation strategies, the development of sustainable smart cities, and achieving diversity in the clean energy workforce.