World Future Energy Summit
The World Future Energy Summit (WFES) is an annual event, dedicated to advancing future energy, energy efficiency and clean technologies. Held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, WFES includes a summit, an exhibition, the Project Village, Round Table Discussions, the Young Future Energy Leaders program, corporate meetings and social events.[1]
The Summit attracts world leaders, international policy makers, industry leaders, investors, experts, academia, intellectuals and journalists to discuss practical and sustainable solutions to future energy challenges.[2]
The Summit, hosted by Masdar, Abu Dhabi's renewable energy company and staged at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, represents a business platform bringing together project owners and solution providers with investors and buyers from both the public and private sectors. The Summit is also an opportunity for everyone with an interest in addressing climate change to come together to share solutions, reach agreements and continue to make progress.[3]
Facts and figures
WFES has been running in the UAE for four years. In 2011, WFES brought together more than 35 official delegations, over 26,000 attendees, 600 exhibitors, 200 speakers and 3150 delegates from 112 countries.[4]
The 2011 Summit was attended by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon; Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, President of Iceland; Asif Ali Zardari, the President of Pakistan; Jose Socrates Carvalho Pinto de Sousa, Prime Minister of Portugal; Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh; Nikoloz Gilauri, Prime Minister of Georgia; HRH Crown Princess Victoria, Princess of Sweden; HRH Prince Guillaume, Crown Prince of Luxembourg.[5]
Young Future Energy Leaders
The Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) is an element of the annual World Future Energy Summit (WFES). A program of the Masdar Institute, it is committed to raising awareness and engaging students and young professionals in the renewable energy and sustainability fields.[6]
Zayed Future Energy Prize
The Zayed Future Energy Prize is an energy award that was announced by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the 2008 World Future Energy Summit.[7] The two sectors dominating the 2012 competition will be energy-efficiency and CO2 emissions reduction. The 2012 award also highlights three new categories fundamental to solving our future energy challenges -- small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) & non-governmental organizations (NGOs); individuals; and large corporations. Winners will walk away with $4 million prize.[8]