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President Attends Energy Renewable Conference
January 20, 2014
President John Dramani Mahama today joined other world leaders
to participate in the Abu Dhabi sustainability week in a
renewable energy conference.
President Mahama, who was the Guest of Honour at the opening
session of the conference focused on Africa as the next frontier
in water, environment and energy, was joined by the leaders of
Ethiopia, Senegal and Sierra Leone.
Also in attendance were Hamdam bin Mohammed Al- Maktoum, Crown
Prince of Abu Dhabi, Ghana's Energy and Petroleum Minister,
Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, among other dignitaries.
The opening session focused on the rise of the United Arab
Emirates in the areas of culture, construction, education,
sustainable access to water and job creation and how those
measures could be implemented in Africa to enhance the
continent's socio-economic development.
It is estimated that the world population would rise to 8
billion by 2030 and this would call for 30 per cent increase in
potable water, 50 per cent demand for energy and 50 per cent
demand for food.
As a result, Africa is seen as the next growth pole in these
commodities on account of her endowment in those natural
resources, giving the indication that the world would focus on
the continent for survival and growth.
The conference would therefore give the UAE the opportunity to
share its expertise and experience with developing African
countries to take advantage to develop their resources.
As the host of the international Renewable Energy Agency
(IRENA), the UAE has been actively involved in encouraging the
widespread adoption of renewable energy.
The first sustainability conference held last year attracted
30,000 participants from 150 countries.
The main agenda of the conference is to tackle the world's
pressing issues in energy, water and environment, accelerate the
global adoption of renewable energy and sustainable development.
It is also expected to address water challenges in the arid
regions of the world. At the end of the three- day conference,
participants would be expected to stimulate investment in water,
energy and environment projects and to empower young generations
and entrepreneurs.
President Mahama is expected to attend the Zayed Future Energy
Prize ceremony later today evening.
The Zayed future energy prize is another commitment from Abu
Dhabi in the field of renewable energy and sustainability.
The annual $4 million prize was created to honour the legacy of
His Holiness Sheik Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, late founding
father of the UAE and to inspire the next generation of Global
energy innovators to create solutions for the future.
Source: GNA
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