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• Held under the patronage of UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, ADSW 2023 opening ceremony was attended by His Highness and 13 heads of state and prime ministers
• Across six days, a series of landmark agreements were signed, positioning the UAE as a leader on climate action
• Anchor event, ADSW Summit, covered the upcoming COP28, pathway to net zero, transformative tech, financing climate action, and food and energy security 
• ADSW’s first Green Hydrogen Summit convened global leaders to discuss the development of the UAE hydrogen economy, green energy in Africa and hydrogen’s value chain 
• ADSW 2023 hosted 36,000 participants from 170 countries, including 13 heads of state and more than 600 global speakers 

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), successfully concluded its fifteenth edition, with a resounding show of commitment to climate action ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), to be held in the UAE later this year.

Under the theme of ‘United on Climate Action Towards COP28,’ the six-day event was the first global sustainability gathering of a critical year, and it served as the first official platform for the recently announced COP28 leadership team, led by H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, COP28 President-Designate, and Chairman of Masdar. In his keynote at the Opening Ceremony, H.E. Dr. Al Jaber called for the world to come together around COP28 to cooperate and collaborate and turn rhetoric into tangible results.

Global dignitaries, including 13 heads of state and a record number of attendees, convened to progress dialogue on the transition to a net-zero future. The event was held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE who attended the opening ceremony with Yoon Suk Yeol, President of the Republic of Korea, and Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan delivering keynote speeches. 

Championed by the UAE and its clean energy powerhouse, Masdar, ADSW 2023, also welcomed world leaders including: Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Wavel Ramkalawan, President of the Republic of Seychelles; João Manuel Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola; Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia; Nana Akufo-Addo, President of Ghana; Yoweri Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda; Surangel Whipps Jr., President of the Republic of Palau; Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, President of the Republic of Mozambique; Aziz Akhannouch, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Morocco; Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of Ethiopia; and Tiemoko Meyliet, Vice President of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire.

During the opening ceremony, 10 winners of the Zayed Sustainability Prize from five continents were recognized for their achievements in driving innovative and scalable sustainability solutions. 
Other major events that took place throughout the week included the 13th IRENA Assembly, the supreme decision-making body of the International Renewable Energy Agency. IRENA members confirmed their readiness to support the UAE’s COP28 presidency and committed to leveraging international cooperation through the Agency’s global platform.

The Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum, which annually convenes the world’s top energy and foreign policy decisionmakers hosted its seventh meeting at ADSW. Guests including H.E. Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, the Rt. Hon. Grant Shapps MP, Secretary of State for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy for the UK, John Kerry, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, and Bernard Mensah, President of International for Bank of America discussed the geopolitical and geo-economic implications of the energy transition.

The flagship ADSW Summit brought together global decision-makers and thought leaders in sustainability to discuss innovative pathways to net zero, practical solutions to finance climate action, and transformative tech for food and energy security. The event featured past and present leaders of COP, including H.E. Razan Al Mubarak, the UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, H.E. Laurent Fabius, President of France’s Constitutional Council, H.E. Sameh Shoukry, Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and COP27 President, and Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC. Collectively they highlighted the need to build on past successes and leverage the COP process to deliver on the Paris Agreement, ahead of the UAE’s hosting of COP28 and the highly anticipated Global Stocktake. 

The inaugural Green Hydrogen Summit was also held during ADSW. Hosted by Masdar’s green hydrogen business, the Summit convened more than 50 leading global hydrogen players, gathering key representatives across regulation, policy and the green hydrogen value chain.

Masdar, the host of ADSW, announced multiple global projects and agreements showing it is on track to meet the target of 100 GW of clean energy by 2030. These included up to 5GW of renewable energy projects with three African nations under the Etihad 7 UAE-backed funding umbrella. 

Also announced were agreements with the Kyrgyz Republic’s Ministry of Energy to develop renewable projects with a capacity of up to 1 GW, an agreement with the Kazakhstan Investment Development Fund to develop a wind power plant with up to 1 GW capacity, and an agreement with Azerbaijan state oil company SOCCAR to develop up to 4 GW of renewable energy projects. 
A first wave of investment of US$20 billion was also announced as part of the US-UAE Partnership to Accelerate Clean Energy (PACE), with Masdar and a consortium of US private investors leading the funding and development of 15 GW of clean energy projects in the US by 2035. 

ADSW provided a platform for engaging and empowering young people and women in sustainability in the lead-up to COP28. The Youth 4 Sustainability (Y4S) Hub brought together more than 3,000 leaders, experts, entrepreneurs, and young delegates to discuss ways to advance youth engagement across climate action. The annual Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy (WiSER) Forum hosted influential figures from around the world for a roundtable discussion on ‘Empowering Women to Lead Climate Adaptation’. 

Returning to an in-person format this year, Abu Dhabi Global Market hosted the fifth edition of the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum to conclude the week’s events. It convened 50 global institutional investors, government leaders, regulators, and financial institutions.

ADSW was supported by the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, COP28 UAE, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, TAQA, Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, Mubadala Investment Company, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, General Electric, The Climate Pledge, Investcorp, Expo City Dubai, TotalEnergies, Abu Dhabi Convention & Exhibition Bureau, Schneider Electric, 1PointFive, Fertiglobe, PepsiCo, Emirates Development Bank, HSBC, Baker Hughes, BEEAH, UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Ne’ma, Emirates Water and Electricity Company, McKinsey and Etihad Airways.

President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and a number of world leaders today attended the opening ceremony of this year's Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), the global initiative championed by the UAE to accelerate sustainable development.

The inauguration, which was held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), was also attended by Yoon Suk Yeol, President of the Republic of Korea; Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan; Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Wavel Ramkalawan, President of the Republic of Seychelles; João Manuel Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola; Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia; Nana Akufo-Addo, President of Ghana; Yoweri Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda; Surangel Whipps Jr., President of the Republic of Palau; Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, President of the Republic of Mozambique; Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania; Aziz Akhannouch, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Morocco; and Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of Ethiopia; Tiemoko Meyliet, Vice President of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire.

H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior; H.H Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court; H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of Abu Dhabi Executive Council; H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Advisor for Special Affairs at the Ministry of Presidential Court; Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence; and a number of sheikhs and senior officials also attended the opening.

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed welcomed heads of state, policymakers, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs to ADSW 2023, which will explore issues and aim to find solutions to the challenges the world faces as it looks to a more sustainable future for future generations.

He stressed that ADSW is a global platform, reflecting the UAE's commitment to convening the international community and ensuring collaboration in driving sustainable economic and social development.

The UAE is making intensive efforts to find feasible and pragmatic solutions to climate change issues, His Highness said, stressing that its strategic initiative to achieve Net Zero by 2050 was a natural progression of the comprehensive approach to sustainability the company has followed since its inception, inspired by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s vision. The UAE’s Founding Father laid the groundwork for building a prosperous and sustainable future through this commitment to protecting nature and preserving the environment.

His Highness the President stated that ADSW this year is an essential step towards the UAE hosting the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28). The country’s selection to host COP28 reflected the UAE’s continued efforts to promote practical climate action, sustainable economic development, and progress towards desired global goal, he said.

The opening ceremony began with the national anthem of the UAE, followed by a film on the importance of effective climate action and the need for concerted global efforts. The film included statements from global leaders and officials calling for urgent and serious action to confront the problem of climate change and strengthen collective action, in order to achieve a sustainable future.

During his keynote speech, Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, expressed his deepest gratitude for His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed for inviting him to ADSW, and stressed the depth of the bilateral relations between the UAE and Azerbaijan. He also praised the UAE’s remarkable growth trajectory, particularly in the sustainability and renewable energy sectors.

President Aliyev highlighted his country’s ambition to strengthen its reliance on clean energy sources as an essential part of national development efforts, and to contribute to the global drive for a more environmentally friendly economy. He referred to the recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Masdar and the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) for the joint development of renewable energy sources, which aim to produce 10 GW of renewable energy in the long term.

ADSW 2023, hosted by the UAE's clean energy powerhouse Masdar, features a series of key events throughout the week that seek to engage all sections of society. It will be held under the theme of ‘United on Climate Action Towards COP28’ and will convene heads of state, policymakers, industry leaders, investors, youth, and entrepreneurs for a series of high-level sessions focused on key priorities for sustainable development ahead of the UN conference. Hosted by the UAE from 30th November to 12th December, 2023, COP28 aims to leverage the country’s strategic position as a connector between north and south, east and west, and its global position to facilitate dialogue and conversations that enable a consensus for the most pressing climate challenges of our time.

Delegates at ADSW will look to set global climate agenda priorities for COP28 – which will cement the UAE’s position as a bridge connecting the global North, South, East and West – and will discuss the need for all groups across society to be engaged, and determine how to leverage outcomes from the first Global Stocktake of the Paris Agreement.

The ADSW Summit, the two-day flagship event of ADSW, focuses on a wide range of important topics, including food and water security, energy savings, decarbonisation of industries, health and climate adaptation.

ADSW 2023 will also see the arrival of a new platform for the global energy sector through the launch of the inaugural Green Hydrogen Summit, which will highlight green hydrogen’s role in the process of decarbonising key sectors and supporting countries' efforts in the journey to net zero.

ADSW 2023 seeks to involve young people in climate action through the Youth 4 Sustainability Forum and Hub, annually engaging 3,000 young men and women. ADSW will also include the annual forum of Masdar’s Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy platform (WiSER), aiming to give women more space to discuss sustainability, and ‘Innovate’ A Masdar City Initiative to showcase the latest global technologies. In addition, ADSW will focus on startups and SMEs, with more than 70 companies exhibiting, alongside Masdar’s ‘Innovate’ initiative which will showcase the latest groundbreaking technologies globally.

ADSW began with the General Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the Global Energy Forum of the Atlantic Council on 14th and 15th January. The ADSW Summit takes place on 16th and 17th January, and the World Future Energy Summit, the “Innovate” initiative, and the Youth Center for Sustainability takes place on 16th to 18th January.

The (WiSER) summit takes place on 17th January, the Green Hydrogen Summit on 18th January, and the Abu Dhabi Forum for Sustainable Finance on 19th January, with the week concluding with the festival in Masdar City.

• Anchor event of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2023 will gather world leaders, global CEOs, and international sustainability advocates to identify key sustainability issues for coming year 
• ADSW Summit speakers to include H.E. Mariam bint Mohammed Al Mheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, and UAE and Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary, UNFCCC
• Summit agenda will cover the upcoming COP28, pathway to net zero, transformative tech, financing climate action, and food and energy security 
• Other global speakers at ADSW 2023 will include John Kerry, US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; January 13, 2023: The ADSW Summit will take place on Monday and Tuesday, January 16 and 17, bringing together heads of state, policymakers, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs from around the world to discuss the most pressing issues and opportunities on the road to net zero.

The two-day summit is the flagship event of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) which runs from January 14 to 19. The summit will focus on how to scale up transformative technology, the importance of international partnerships, food security, how to shape the global financial architecture for climate action, and how to secure a stable energy pathway to net zero. It will ensure an ongoing dialogue between key stakeholders and provide opportunities to translate pledges into practical solutions.

The ADSW Summit 2023 also comes in a vital year of climate action for the UAE, with the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) being held in the country from November 30-December 12.  COP28, the Emirates Climate Conference, will see the conclusion of the first Global Stocktake of the Paris Agreement – assessing the progress made by countries on their national climate plans. Also speaking at ADSW will be COP28 President-Designate, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and Chairman of Masdar, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber.

Confirmed speakers at the event include H.E. Majid Al Suwaidi, Director General, COP28; H.E. Sameh Shoukry, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Egypt, COP27 President; H.E. Mariam bint Mohammed Al Mheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, UAE; H.E. Agnès Pannier-Runacher, Minister for Energy Transition, France; H.E. Khadheeja Naseem, Minister of State for Environment, Climate Change and Technology, Maldives; H.E. Sarah Ryglewski, Minister of State for Sustainable Development, Federal Government, Germany; Amb. Patricia Espinosa-Cantellano, Former Executive Secretary, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Founding & Managing Partner, Onepoint5; Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary, UNFCCC; Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organisation; Dr. Ing. Christian Bruch, CEO, Siemens Energy; Noel Quinn, Group Chief Executive Officer, HSBC; Dr. Andrew Steer, President and CEO, Bezos Earth Fund, among others.

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer, Masdar, said, “More than ever, it is critical that the world’s leaders across business, government, and civil society come together to address the most pressing issue of our time; climate change. That is why Masdar, as host of ADSW, is bringing together leaders from around the world at the ADSW Summit 2023. We look forward to hosting one of the most impactful and significant ADSW Summits to date, while marking the first physical ADSW since 2020.”

Hosted by the UAE’s clean energy powerhouse Masdar, in addition to the ADSW Summit, ADSW 2023 features a series of key events throughout the week that seek to engage all sections of society. 

These include the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Assembly; the Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum; the ADSW Opening Ceremony and Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony; the World Future Energy Summit Exhibition and forums; the inaugural Green Hydrogen Summit; the Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy (WiSER) Forum; Youth 4 Sustainability Forum and Hub; Innovate – A Masdar City Initiative; and the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum.

Since 2008, ADSW has educated and inspired tens of thousands of participants each year by enabling discussion, debate and action around some of the world's most pressing sustainability challenges. Last year alone 30,000 attendees came to ASDW, some 600 speakers, and representatives of 150 different countries. The event is rooted in the firm belief that global challenges can only be addressed through collaboration. 

Key dates for ADSW 2023 include: 
• 14 – 15 January: IRENA Assembly, Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum 
• 16 January: Opening Ceremony, COP28 Strategy Announcement and Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony 
• 16 – 17 January: ADSW Summit
• 16 – 18 January: World Future Energy Summit, Youth 4 Sustainability Hub, Innovate 
• 17 January: WiSER Forum 
• 18 January: Green Hydrogen Summit 
• 19 January: Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum 

• ‘United on Climate Action Towards COP28’ will be theme of ADSW 2023, taking place next week in UAE capital and hosted by Masdar 

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; January 11, 2023: The clock is ticking… on the countdown to a sustainable future. Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, the global platform for accelerating sustainable development hosted by Masdar, has responded to the need for immediate climate action with the launch of a campaign dedicated to uniting global leaders on the journey to net zero. 

The ‘#UnitedonClimateAction’ campaign kicks off with an impactful video, featuring calls to climate action from international leaders like His Majesty King Charles III, King of the United Kingdom, HE Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Special Envoy for Climate Change and Chairman of Masdar, and John Kerry, United States Special Presidential Envoy for Climate. The UAE will be hosting the United Nations Climate Change Conference 2023 (COP28) from November 30-December 12 this year. 

ADSW 2023, taking place from January 14 to 19, will convene heads of state, policymakers, industry leaders, investors, youth, and entrepreneurs, for impactful dialogues on the transition to a net-zero future. The Week will feature high-level sessions focused on the key priorities for sustainable development, and will drive discussion and debate around climate action in the run-up to COP28. 

• International experts and decision makers to highlight green hydrogen’s potential to support global net-zero goals ahead of UAE-hosted COP28 later this year
• Summit to be one of series of high-level events held at ADSW 2023 – highlighting UAE leadership’s commitment to practical, inclusive climate action

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, January 3, 2023: Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), the global initiative championed by the UAE and its clean energy powerhouse Masdar to accelerate sustainable development, will hold its first annual Green Hydrogen Summit this year, highlighting green hydrogen’s growing importance in the global drive toward net zero. 

The Green Hydrogen Summit 2023, taking place on January 18, will be one of the key events taking place at ADSW 2023, which will convene heads of state, policymakers, industry leaders, investors, youth, and entrepreneurs, for a series of impactful dialogues ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), to be held in the UAE from November 30-December 12. COP28, the Emirates Climate Conference, will see the conclusion of the first Global Stocktake of the Paris Agreement – assessing the progress made by countries on their national climate plans. 

H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Special Envoy for Climate Change, and Chairman of Masdar, said, “We stand at a critical moment as nations prepare to gather in the UAE to highlight progress on meeting climate objectives and to explore pathways to net zero. Ahead of COP28, ADSW2023 will provide a platform for vital dialogue between key stakeholders and decision makers, as we look to forge alliances and develop innovative solutions to deliver an inclusive energy transition. The UAE and Masdar have long believed that green hydrogen will play a key role in that energy transition and as we continue to explore low-carbon and zero-carbon energy solutions, the time is right for green hydrogen to take a more central role at ADSW.”  

The inaugural Green Hydrogen Summit at ADSW will cover topics including, developments in hydrogen production, conversion, transport, storage, and use. It will include high-level discussions focused on the development of the UAE hydrogen economy, the role of government and regulation, and panel sessions on a broad range of topics including innovation, sustainable finance, green energy in Africa, and hydrogen’s value chain. 

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer, Masdar, said, “As green hydrogen continues to show growing promise as a critical enabler of our net-zero future, we must unlock its full potential by accelerating research and development and investment in this vital sector. Masdar is excited to launch the ADSW Green Hydrogen Summit to support the development of the UAE’s green hydrogen economy and help realize the global energy transition. This inaugural Summit will also pave the way toward COP28 in the UAE, where we can expect green hydrogen to be a key component of a future low-carbon energy market.”

The Green Hydrogen Summit is held in partnership with the Hydrogen Council, Atlantic Council, International Renewable Energy Agency and Dii Desert Energy. 

ADSW host Masdar announced in December the formation of its new green hydrogen business to support the UAE’s green hydrogen economy. Masdar’s green hydrogen business aims to produce up to one million tonnes of green hydrogen per annum by 2030. Masdar is already actively involved in a number of projects related to green hydrogen production, including agreements with leading Egyptian state-backed organizations to cooperate on the development of green hydrogen production plants, targeting an electrolyzer capacity of 4 gigawatts by 2030, and output of up to 480,000 tonnes of green hydrogen per year.

The first international sustainability gathering of the year, ADSW 2023 will again feature the ADSW Summit, hosted by Masdar. Taking place on January 16, the Summit will focus on a wide range of critical topics including Food and Water Security, Energy Access, Industrial Decarbonization, Health, and Climate Adaptation.

As in previous years, ADSW 2023 will feature partner-led events and opportunities for international engagement on sustainability-related topics, including the International Renewable Energy Agency’s IRENA Assembly, the Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum, the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum, and the World Future Energy Summit.

ADSW 2023 will also mark the 15th anniversary of the Zayed Sustainability Prize – the UAE’s pioneering global award for recognizing excellence in sustainability. Masdar’s Youth for Sustainability platform will hold the Y4S Hub during the week, which aims to attract 3,000 young people, while the annual forum for Masdar’s Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy (WiSER) platform will also be held, giving women a greater voice in the sustainability debate.

Key dates for ADSW 2023 include:
• 14 – 15 January: IRENA Assembly, Atlantic Council Energy Forum
• 16 January: Opening Ceremony, COP28 Strategy Announcement and Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony, ADSW Summit
• 16 – 18 January: World Future Energy Summit, Youth 4 Sustainability Hub, Innovate
• 17 January: WiSER Forum WiSER Forum
• 18 January: Green Hydrogen Summit and Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum

• Held under the patronage of UAE President HH Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, ADSW will contribute to setting sustainability agenda ahead of COP28, the Emirates Climate Conference.
• Under theme of ‘United on Climate Action Toward COP28,’ ADSW 2023 will demonstrate UAE leadership’s commitment to practical, inclusive climate action
• ADSW will convene global sustainability decision makers and key stakeholders for impactful dialogue ahead of critical Global Stocktake that will take place at COP28<
• ADSW 2023 will also feature inaugural Green Hydrogen Summit

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2023, the global initiative championed by the UAE and its clean energy powerhouse Masdar to accelerate sustainable development, will feature a series of high-level sessions focused on the key priorities for sustainable development ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), to be held in the UAE from November 30-December 12.

The fifteenth edition of the annual event will be held under the patronage of UAE President HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan who has championed sustainability as a key pillar of the UAE’s economic and social progress and prosperity.

ADSW, taking place from January 14 to 19, under the theme of ‘United on Climate Action Toward COP28,’ will convene heads of state, policymakers, industry leaders, investors, youth, and entrepreneurs, for a series of impactful dialogues on the transition to a net-zero future. Key stakeholders will discuss priorities for the global climate agenda at COP28, the need for all stakeholders across society to be engaged and included, and how to leverage the assessments from the first Global Stocktake of the Paris Agreement to accelerate climate progress at COP28 and beyond.

H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Special Envoy for Climate Change, and Chairman of Masdar, said, “For over 15 years, ADSW has reinforced the UAE’s commitment to addressing global challenges as a responsible leader driving climate action and sustainable economic development. ADSW 2023 will help shape the sustainability agenda and drive momentum toward COP28 in the UAE by convening the global community and facilitating meaningful dialogue to foster consensus, groundbreaking partnerships and innovative solutions.

“The world needs a just and inclusive energy transition that supports the needs of developing nations while ensuring a more sustainable future for us all. ADSW can serve as an ideal platform to accelerate the adoption of clean technologies and put partnerships together that can take them to scale around the world, leaving no one behind.”

ADSW 2023 will feature for the first time a Green Hydrogen Summit, hosted by Masdar’s green hydrogen business, highlighting its potential to decarbonize key industries – helping countries to achieve their net-zero objectives.

Earlier this month, Masdar formally announced a new shareholding structure and the launch of its green hydrogen business – forming a clean energy powerhouse that will spearhead global decarbonization efforts. Masdar is now one of the largest clean energy companies of its kind and is well-positioned to lead the industry on a global scale, strengthening the UAE’s role as an energy leader.

The first international sustainability gathering of the year, ADSW 2023 will drive discussion and debate around climate action in the run-up to COP28. The ADSW Summit, hosted by Masdar and taking place on January 16, will focus on a wide range of critical topics including Food and Water Security, Energy Access, Industrial Decarbonization, Health, and Climate Adaptation.

ADSW 2023 will also seek to engage youth in climate action, with its Youth for Sustainability platform holding the Y4S Hub, which aims to attract 3,000 young people. ADSW 2023 will also feature the annual forum for Masdar’s Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy (WiSER) platform, giving women a greater voice in the sustainability debate.

As in previous years, ADSW 2023 will also feature partner-led events and opportunities for international engagement on sustainability-related topics, including the International Renewable Energy Agency’s IRENA Assembly, the Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum, the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum, and the World Future Energy Summit.

The 2023 ADSW will also mark the 15th anniversary of the Zayed Sustainability Prize – the UAE’s pioneering global award for recognizing excellence in sustainability. With 96 winners across its categories of Health, Food, Energy, Water, and Global High Schools, the Prize has positively impacted the lives of over 378 million people around the world, including in Vietnam, Nepal, Sudan, Ethiopia, Maldives and Tuvalu.

Over the years, the Prize has provided communities across the world with access to quality education, clean food and water, quality healthcare, energy, jobs, and improved community safety.

With small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) making up roughly 90 percent of businesses worldwide, ADSW 2023 will welcome over 70 SMEs and start-ups across several sectors, including Masdar City’s global initiative Innovate, which will showcase groundbreaking international technologies.

Key dates for ADSW 2023 include:

• 14 – 15 January: IRENA Assembly, Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum
• 16 January: Opening Ceremony, COP28 Strategy Announcement and Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony, ADSW Summit
• 16 – 18 January: World Future Energy Summit, Youth 4 Sustainability Hub, Innovate
• 17 January: WiSER Forum
• 18 January: Green Hydrogen Summit and Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), Masdar’s global platform for accelerating sustainable development, today announced that the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) has signed an agreement to return as Principal Partner of both ADSW 2023 and 2024. 

Signed by Undersecretary of the DoE, His Excellency Eng. Ahmed Mohammed Al Rumaithi, and Masdar Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, the agreement ensures that the DoE, a Principal Partner since 2019, will continue to support ADSW in its efforts to accelerate sustainable socioeconomic development and positive climate action, in line with the United Arab Emirates’ long-term sustainability vision and net-zero commitments.

Established in 2008 by Masdar, one of the world’s fastest-growing clean energy companies, and hosted every January, ADSW is the year’s first major sustainability gathering. ADSW 2023 will convene global stakeholders 14–21 January in Abu Dhabi to take stock of progress on commitments resulting from this year’s COP27, which concluded last week in Sharm Al-Sheikh, Egypt; and drive forward momentum to next November’s COP28 in the UAE. 

Undersecretary of the DoE, H. E. Eng. Ahmed Mohammed Al Rumaithi, said: “The Department of Energy is keen on promoting global dialogue on sustainability in order to stimulate all components of the energy sector. Dialogue and coordinated action will enable us to connect and exchange visions on the best ways to move the sector towards a carbon-neutral future. The Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week is an ideal platform to achieve this, as it continues to push efforts to combat climate change on the local and international stage, in line with our endeavor to help the UAE achieve its Net Zero 2050 goal. We are pleased to continue participating in this pioneering event and partner with ADSW for the next two editions to help consolidate Abu Dhabi’s leading position in energy transition and sustainability.”

“Climate action continues to top the agenda of policymakers, which increases the need for specialized events such as ADSW that bring together specialists in this field to find solutions to climate challenges posed by the increasing demand for energy around the world,” added H.E. Undersecretary Al Rumaithi.

Masdar CEO, Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, said: “Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week and the Department of Energy are united in our long-standing joint efforts to cement the UAE’s position as a pioneering leader of the global clean energy transition. As we look back on this year’s COP27 in Egypt, and ahead to next year’s COP28 in the UAE, ADSW will provide the ideal platform for global stakeholders to hold each other to account and continue to engage on bold climate action and practical innovation.” 

ADSW 2023 also aligns with the DoE’s mission to position Abu Dhabi as a global hub for clean-tech innovation to support the UAE’s economic diversification and decarbonization efforts, for the benefit of future generations. 

With the October 2021 launch of its Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative, the UAE became the first country in the Middle East and North African (MENA) region to commit to decarbonizing its energy grid by mid-century, in line with the Paris Agreement, which calls on countries to prepare long-term strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit the rise in global temperature to 1.5 C compared to pre-industrial levels.

• Africa could capture up to 10% of global green hydrogen market, helping to create up to 3.7 million jobs and adding as much as US$120bn to GDP by 2050, report released at COP27 shows
• Green hydrogen production on this scale would accelerate deployment of renewable energy across continent and increase electrification rate
• Report produced by Masdar and Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week with analytical support provided by McKinsey & Company 

Africa could capture as much as 10 percent of the global green hydrogen market, helping to create up to 3.7 million jobs and adding as much as US$120 billion to the continent’s gross domestic product (GDP), according to a landmark report issued jointly by Masdar and its Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) platform on the sidelines of the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27).  

Africa’s plentiful solar and wind resources could be leveraged to produce 30 to 60 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of green hydrogen by 2050, about 5 to 10 percent of global demand, according to the report, “Africa’s Green Energy Revolution: Hydrogen’s role in unlocking Africa’s untapped renewables,” produced with analytical support provided by McKinsey & Company.

An African hydrogen industry with that production capacity would likely create 1.9 to 3.7 million jobs and boost GDP by as much as US$60 to 120 billion by 2050, the report finds.

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Masdar Chief Executive Officer, said, “This report provides a blueprint for African nations to deliver sustainable, low-carbon growth while extending energy access across the continent. Green hydrogen has the potential to reduce emissions, unlock economic opportunities, and create new and valuable jobs for countries across the Middle East and North Africa region. Masdar has long recognized green hydrogen’s potential, with investments as far back as 2008. With several green hydrogen projects underway today around the world – including a number in Africa – we look forward to continuing to work closely with our African partners to maximize the many achievable benefits of green hydrogen highlighted in this report.”  

Africa could be among the most competitive sources for green hydrogen in the world, the report shows, with a cost of US$1.8 to 2.6 per kilogram (kg) in 2030, further decreasing to about US$1.2 to 1.6 per kg by 2050 as hydrogen production technology matures and renewable energy costs continue to decline. 

Proximity to demand centers in Europe and Asia also optimally positions the continent to build an export-oriented hydrogen sector, the report suggests, noting African energy exports via green hydrogen and derivatives would reach 20 to 40 mtpa by 2050.  

The remaining 10-20 mtpa would serve domestic hydrogen demand, helping to boost electrification of African communities and delivering other socioeconomic benefits, including a more sustainable energy grid, expanded clean energy access, and reduced reliance on fossil fuel imports.

Masdar Director of Asset Management and Technical Services, Mohammad Abdelqader El Ramahi, said: “Scaling up green hydrogen is an opportunity to not only build a robust global-export sector on the African continent, but also to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy overall. The grid-connected renewables used for green hydrogen production can feed energy into the grid to provide affordable clean energy to under-resourced areas – notably, in Sub-Saharan Africa, which has an average electrification rate of only 48 percent.” 

Enabling production on the scale of 30-60 mtpa would require between 1,500 and 3,000 terawatt hours (TWh) of renewable energy – equivalent to more than 50 times Africa’s current total production from solar and wind, the report states. The largest share of the investments (US$320- 610 billion) would go to the renewables needed to produce the hydrogen, followed by electrolysis plants (US$115-220 billion). For export projects, most of the needed capital is expected to come from foreign investors, according to the report.

Beyond investments, the report recommends six broad areas for action: development of an integrated master plan; governance, international coordination, and mobilization; establishment of regulatory frameworks for hydrogen exports; investments in infrastructure; sourcing and building a highly skilled workforce; and deployment of project de-risking mechanisms.

Masdar, one of the world’s leading clean energy companies, is actively involved in a number of projects related to green hydrogen production. In April, Masdar and Egypt’s Hassan Allam Utilities signed agreements with leading Egyptian state-backed organizations to cooperate on the development of green hydrogen production plants in the country, targeting an electrolyzer capacity of 4 gigawatts by 2030, and output of up to 480,000 tonnes of green hydrogen per year.

The Masdar-ADSW report on Africa’s green hydrogen potential can be found online  here

Over 120 world leaders and 35,000 delegates gathered in Sharm El-Shiekh, Egypt, for the COP27 climate summit in Nov 2022.

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) was there in full force too.

As a global initiative championed by the UAE and its clean energy powerhouse Masdar, ADSW is dedicated to engaging impactful dialogue between global stakeholders on practical, pro-climate, pro-growth solutions for a net-zero future.

At COP27, ADSW held a comprehensive suite of events that convened policymakers, clean energy experts, women, young people, inventors, and business leaders.

Events included bringing young people from the UAE, Africa and Europe together to talk about how to boost youth resilience in the face of the climate crisis. Panel discussions between young female professionals, who had spent time in rural Rwanda, explored how to increase access to clean energy in villages. ADSW also hosted speakers who shared sustainability success stories and discussed how to scale up net-zero buildings.

Africa’s potential to become a global leader in green hydrogen was also highlighted in a landmark report published by ADSW and Masdar. The continent could capture 10 percent of the world’s green hydrogen market, helping to create 3.7 million jobs by 2050, the report found.

Following on from the success of its events at COP27, ADSW 2023 will keep the vital climate conversation going. ADSW 2023 runs from Jan 14 to 19.

Download ADSW Agenda at COP27 program

Videos

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, the sustainability platform hosted by Masdar, has produced a white paper highlighting some of the key findings from the ADSW Summit 2022, held in January. The Journey to Net Zero reflects the key themes of the event: Global Collaboration & Leadership, Innovation and Technology, and Sustainable Finance.

Attended by more than 80 specialists, heads of states, policy makers, global CEOs and leaders of international organizations, the ADSW Summit 2022 tackled the vital energy conversation, as well as the transition to sustainable economies and societies. 

“Today, world leaders have a responsibility towards the global population to act on climate,” the white paper states in its conclusion. “This includes mitigation measures, phasing out coal, focusing on the energy mix to bring in green technologies and green jobs, and reducing emissions to set forth the net zero path. Investing in energy, connectivity, and food systems, while using the necessary resources to make the required sustainable changes and ensuring jobs are at the heart of it, will render such a path all-inclusive.” 

For more information on the ADSW Summit, its sessions and to download The Journey to Net Zero, please visit www.adsw.ae. 

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week will return from January 14-21, 2023. 

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, hosted by Masdar, partnered with Harvard Business Review to conduct survey-led research into issues around the adoption of environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices and try to understand just how businesses are implementing ESG strategies.

The report, Reaping Returns on Environmental, Social and Governance Investments, which surveyed 249 executives from global businesses across a range of industries, found that interest in ESG adoption is strong, with 83 percent of respondents indicating that their organization will increase investment in ESG initiatives over the next 12 months. While only 9 percent of respondents said they have already seen a financial return on their ESG investment, most organizations believe this will lead to future financial benefits, with 22 percent saying they will see this within a year, although 41 percent said it would take two to five years.

According to the report, “strong tailwinds of change are encouraging organizations to assume greater corporate responsibility for their impact on the world’s natural resources, the well-being of employees, and ethical decision making in the boardroom.” However, developing an ESG strategy, one that evaluates and addresses issues that affect an organization’s operations and practices – and potentially its value – is still proving challenging, with 27 percent of respondents indicating that they have yet to put a formal ESG strategy in place, and 10 percent saying they are not currently working on improving their ESG performance.

To support the research, Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week recently hosted Alex Clemente, Founding Managing Director of Harvard Business Review Analytic Services who examined the report findings and discussed ESG in more detail. Moderated by Zainab Al Ali, Head of Outreach and Stakeholder Relations at Masdar, the virtual session can be watched here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebzyckDlASk

More information on the topic of ESG, including the full Harvard Business Review report can be found at adsw.ae.

• Partnership between Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) and Emirates Water and Electricity Company represents first step on ADSW’s journey to  become carbon neutral; in alignment with UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), the global platform for accelerating sustainable development hosted by Masdar, has today announced that the World Future Energy Summit, a key event at ADSW 2022, was powered by clean energy, thanks to a partnership with Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC).

EWEC provided ADSW with Clean Energy Certificates covering the energy used by the event, reflecting the platform’s commitment to becoming carbon neutral. ADSW, which took place earlier this week, brought together heads of state, policy makers, and international business leaders, as the UAE aims to drive the global sustainability agenda forward and accelerate pathways to net zero
Othman Al Ali, Chief Executive Officer of EWEC, said "We are delighted to see Clean Energy Certificates used to offset the carbon footprint of WFES, continuing the rapid expansion of the CEC market to date, with the events sector joining the energy, real estate and healthcare sectors. We see the potential for many more sectors and entities looking to decarbonise to enter the market, as the UAE strives to meet the goals of the UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative and UAE Energy Strategy 2050"

EWEC is currently working on a range of clean energy projects, including  the Al Dhafra Solar PV IPP project, which will be the world’s largest single-site solar power plant, using around 4 million solar panels to generate enough electricity for 160,000 homes across the UAE. Upon full commercial operation, Al Dhafra Solar PV is expected to reduce Abu Dhabi’s CO2 emissions by more than 2.4 million tonnes per year, equivalent to removing approximately 470,000 cars from the road.

ADSW 2022, the first major sustainability event after the COP26 climate change conference, will act as a global catalyst for COP27, which will be held in Egypt this year, and COP28, which will be hosted by the UAE next year. Held annually since 2008, ADSW has become one of the latest sustainability platforms in the world, with more than 45,000 people from 175 countries participating in ADSW 2020. 

ADSW is a key component in the UAE’s positioning as a regional and global leader in sustainability and climate action. Last October, the UAE announced its Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, a national drive to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, the first such initiative in the MENA region. The UAE was also the first Arab country to set voluntary clean energy targets, and the first Gulf state to sign the Paris Agreement.

ADSW was supported by Abu Dhabi Department of Energy; Aramex, Bloomberg Media, Bee’ah, Crédit Agricole, Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation; Emirates Water and Electricity Company; Engie, Etihad Airways, General Electric, InvestCorp, McKinsey & Company, Mubadala Investment Company, PepsiCo, Power China; Tabreed, and the UAE Space Agency. 

ADSW took place from January 15 – 19, 2022.  Events and sessions from the week can be watched again on the platform’s new channel - ADSW Live - https://adsw.live/all-videos.html

• ADSW opening ceremony – held as part of Expo 2020 Dubai – attended by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai; HE Moon Jae-in, President of the Republic of Korea; HE Armen Sarkissian, President of the Republic of Armenia; HE Hussein Ali Mwinyi, President of Zanzibar; HE Wavel Ramkalawan, President of the Republic of Seychelles; and HE Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, President of the Republic of Maldives
• Throughout the week, ADSW hosted 30,000 participants from 150 countries, including eight country Presidents and Prime Ministers, over 50 government ministers and more than 600 global speakers 
• Over 300 international exhibiting companies; with country pavilions from China, India, Japan, South Korea, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Nigeria, and more

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), the global platform for accelerating sustainable development hosted by Masdar, has successfully concluded with a resounding commitment to accelerate climate action and net-zero efforts. 

As the first major sustainability event following the COP26 climate conference, ADSW 2022 brought together the global community, with participants including country presidents and prime ministers, policy makers, industry specialists, technology pioneers and young sustainability leaders.

Setting the tone for the year ahead, ADSW hosted a special COP session at the ADSW Summit, featuring: HE Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change and Chairman of Masdar; HE Sameh Shoukry, Minister of Foreign Affairs for Egypt and President Designate COP27; and Rt. Hon. Alok Sharma MP, COP26 President. During the session, the leaders discussed their ambitions to use these critical editions of COP to drive the global sustainability agenda forward by translating policies, strategies, and plans into real tangible results, and scaling up viable solutions around the world.   

The ADSW speaker program featured more than 600 global leaders and decision-makers, including: HE Iván Duqe Márguez, President of the Republic of Colombia; HE Halimah Yacob, President of the Republic of Singapore; HE Mark Rutte, Prime Minister of The Netherlands; HE Armen Sarkissian, the President of Armenia; HH Sheikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty the King for Humanitarian Works and Youth Affairs of Kingdom of Bahrain, President, Bahrain Olympic Committee; António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations; John Kerry, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate; Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization; H.E. Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Managing Director and Group CEO, Mubadala Investment Company; HE Ban Ki-moon, President of the Assembly and Chair of the Council of the Global Green Growth Institute, Eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations; and HE Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Al Mheiri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment.

Throughout the week – which acted as a countdown to COP27 in Egypt and COP28 in the UAE – ADSW hosted 30,000 participants from 150 countries, including eight country Presidents and Prime Ministers, and 50 government ministers. 

For more than a decade, ADSW has provided a sustainable platform for the global community that has grown through its initiatives and events to emerge as a thought leader and catalyst for sustainability. The week is aligned with the ‘Principles of the 50’, which charts the strategic roadmap for the UAE’s new era of economic, political and social growth.

The opening ceremony of ADSW, which took place at Expo 2020 Dubai – was attended by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, with the keynote speech delivered by His Excellency Moon Jae-in, President of the Republic of Korea. During his opening speech, HE Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber highlighted Masdar’s goal of delivering 100 gigawatts (GW) of clean energy projects around the world.

During the ceremony, the 10 winners of the Zayed Sustainability Prize were announced, recognizing sustainability pioneers from around the world. The Prize winners across its five categories included: Mamotest from Argentina (health), S4S Technologies from India (food), SOLshare from Bangladesh (energy) and Wateroam from Singapore (water). In the final category of global high schools, there were six winners from different regions across the world – with each school securing up to US$100,000 to start or further expand their project.

Other major events taking place at ADSW included the IRENA Assembly, the supreme decision-making body of the International Renewable Energy Agency, which took place virtually under the pertinent theme of ‘Energy Transition: From Commitments to Action.’ IRENA, which is headquartered in Abu Dhabi and has more than 170 member states, explores how renewable energy can alleviate climate change and increase sustainability. 

The World Future Energy Summit (WFES), which took place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, welcomed around 8,000 attendees and hosted over 300 exhibiting companies, alongside dedicated pavilions from nations including China, India, Japan, South Korea, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland and Nigeria. The exhibition was fully powered by clean energy through a partnership with Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC).

Innovate, a new global Masdar City initiative, provided a platform at WFES for innovation-focused companies to showcase their technologies to international investors. With a focus on the key areas of urban mobility, clean energy, artificial intelligence, and agritech and food security, Innovate grants exclusive access to the dynamic Abu Dhabi technology ecosystem for companies. 

On the concluding day of ADSW, the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum – a flagship initiative by Abu Dhabi Global Market – was held under the theme ‘Plotting the Path to Meet Net-Zero Targets: Energizing Efforts for Action’. The event is representative of the UAE financial sector’s commitment to assisting the nation in delivering on its national climate goals and programs – notably the Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, the first national net-zero target in the Middle East and North Africa region.

ADSW also hosted a series of Masdar led strategic initiatives, aimed at engaging young people and women at a grassroots level. The Youth 4 Sustainability Forum held inspiring and thought-provoking sessions around a variety of topics, including reimagining and futureproofing education, accelerating social entrepreneurship and innovation, and youth inclusion in climate solutions.

The annual 'Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy' (WiSER) Forum was held under the banner ‘Energy Access for All: Empowering Women to Accelerate Sustainable Development’. The Forum examined how improving women’s access to energy has the potential to supercharge the global economy and accelerate action to combat climate change.

ADSW welcomed a series of high-level commercial agreements, including Etihad 7, a multi-billion dollar strategic program launched by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) aimed at securing funding for renewable energy projects across Africa. The Etihad 7 program aims to supply clean electricity to 100 million people by 2035.

During the World Future Energy Summit, a series of multi-million dollar projects and partnership agreements were signed. These included Aldar, the real estate development, management and investment company, launching a new global program to reduce its energy consumption by 20% across 80 of its assets worldwide, realizing more than US$10 million in cost savings per year. During the exhibition, TAQA also reiterated its commitment to invest over US$10 billion in infrastructure development as it focuses on expanding its renewable energy portfolio.

As the host of ADSW, Masdar further demonstrated its global leadership in the sustainability sector by announcing a series of global projects and agreements. These included a collaboration agreement between Masdar, ENGIE and Fertiglobe to explore the development of a green hydrogen facility in the UAE, with a capacity of as much as 200 megawatts (MW) to support the production of green ammonia.

Masdar also announced an agreement with Cosmo Energy Holdings Co., one of Japan’s largest energy companies, to explore the development of renewable energy initiatives, including offshore wind projects, in the Far East nation. Masdar also formed a joint venture with Indonesia’s Mitrabara to target commercial and industrial customers in the island nation, and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Singapore’s Tuas Power, France’s EDF Renewables, and PT Indonesia Power, around the development of renewable energy within Indonesia for export to Singapore.

At part of its Real Estate Investment Trust (Reit), Masdar City signed a financing deal worth US$200 million with First Abu Dhabi Bank to expand its sustainable real estate portfolio through additional property acquisitions in Masdar City.

ADSW was supported by Abu Dhabi Department of Energy; Aramex, Bloomberg Media, Bee’ah, Crédit Agricole, Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation; Emirates Water and Electricity Company; Engie, Etihad Airways, General Electric, InvestCorp, McKinsey & Company, Mubadala Investment Company, PepsiCo, Power China; Tabreed, and the UAE Space Agency. 

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, today attended the opening ceremony of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), the global platform for accelerating sustainability hosted by Masdar – Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company.

The opening event was also attended by H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum welcomed the leaders and experts meeting in the UAE to discuss issues related to sustainability and intensify collaborative efforts to find solutions for moving the world towards a more sustainable future.

Highlighting the importance of ADSW, the first global gathering of its kind after COP26, Sheikh Mohammed said, "Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week lays a pathway for COP28 when the UAE will welcome the world in 2023. The continued success of ADSW, which every year sets the sustainability agenda for the year to come, fully reflects our nation’s leadership in the field of climate action. This year’s convening of ADSW as part of Expo 2020 Dubai provides an opportunity for the convergence of global expertise to stimulate constructive dialogue and push efforts towards implementing innovative solutions."

"The UAE, guided by the vision of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, was and continues to be one of the pioneering countries in the fields of climate action, energy transformation and the adoption of renewable energy as a solution for addressing environmental issues and their impact on people's lives and the health of the planet. The UAE has continued to express this commitment by developing a group of the world’s largest and most innovative clean energy projects. These efforts culminated in the launch of the Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative, which reflects our commitment to create a future free of emissions," His Highness added.

The opening ceremony, held at the Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo 2020 Dubai, was also attended by H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior; H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs; H.H. Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council; Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, and a number of senior officials.

The opening ceremony began with the UAE National Anthem followed by a short film centred on international cooperation to confront global challenges, especially those related to climate change and sustainable development.

Moon Jae-in, President of the Republic of Korea, thanked the UAE for welcoming him to the country and inviting him to participate in the opening ceremony of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. In his keynote speech, he said, "As the first event of its kind since COP26, Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week is a kick start to carbon neutrality this year, offering strength through unity. This event holds great significance with the UAE hosting COP28 in 2023 - a milestone for the country’s journey over the next 50 years. The UAE is a powerhouse of sustainable development for the Middle East and beyond, with pathways showing the way for the rest of the world."

He continued, "Last year, the UAE became the first one in the Middle East to commit to carbon neutrality by 2050. Korea too in 2020 declared its commitment to carbon neutrality. And the UAE and Korea both committed to cutting methane by 30 percent by 2030. The UAE and Korea, as special strategic partners, have been working together in the fields of construction, oil field development, national defence, agriculture, health, and much more. This demonstrates the robust relations between our two nations. For our sustainable future, Korea hopes to hold hands together with the UAE even more tightly. Now our two countries are working together to build an economy based on hydrogen - a potential new source of energy in the age of carbon neutrality."

In his keynote address, Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change and Chairman of Masdar, addressed the challenge of maintaining economic progress, while turning back the clock on emissions.

He said, "Finding the answers to these questions has been the mission of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week and the Zayed Sustainability Prize. A mission that builds on the UAE’s position as a pioneer in clean energy. When we began investing in the renewables space more than 15 years ago, our leadership had a theory of the future that has been proven right over time. Today, the UAE is home to the largest and lowest cost solar plants in the world. And globally the future of renewable energy is just as bright."

The objectives of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week are in line with the ‘Principles of the 50’, the 10 principles that represent the UAE’s strategic path in a new era and reflect the country’s vision and determination to promote development efforts in various economic, political and social fields.

As one of the largest gatherings concerned with discussing sustainability issues, ADSW provides a global platform for cooperation, knowledge exchange, investment and innovation, as it attracts more than 45,000 participants annually representing more than 170 countries and hosts nearly 1,000 international companies.

Key ADSW dates include: January 15-16 – IRENA Assembly; January 17 – Opening Ceremony and the Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony, ADSW Summit; January 17-19 – World Future Energy Summit, Innovate, Youth 4 Sustainability Hub; January 18-19 Atlantic Council Forums; January 18 WiSER Forum, Exclusive Panel Session with the President of COP26 and 27 and Dr. Sultan Al Jaber; January 19 – Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum.

• The ADSW Summit will take the global sustainability agenda forward and outline pathways to net zero
• Taking place virtually from 1:00pm GST, the ADSW Summit will feature more than 80 global leaders 

Speakers include; HE Iván Duque Márquez, President of the Republic of Colombia; HE Halimah Yacob, President, Republic of Singapore; HH Sheikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty the King for Humanitarian Works and Youth Affairs of Kingdom of Bahrain, President, Bahrain Olympic Committee; HE Mark Rutte, Prime Minister of the Netherlands; John Kerry, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate; Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organisation, and many more

The ADSW Summit, hosted by Masdar and part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, will take place virtually tomorrow, January 17 between 1:00pm – 9:00pm GST. The ADSW Summit will convene more than 80 global leaders, including heads of state, policy makers, and international business leaders, as the United Arab Emirates aims to take the agenda global sustainability forward and accelerate pathways to net zero.

The opening sessions of the ADSW Summit will include a head of state address from HE Halimah Yacob, President, Republic of Singapore who will stress the importance of collective climate action and highlight the far-reaching impact climate change is already having on the lives and livelihoods of people all around the world. 

ADSW 2022 is the first major sustainability event after the COP26 climate change conference, and acts as a global catalyst for COP27, which will be held in Egypt in 2022, and COP28, which will be hosted by the UAE in 2023. 

The wider agenda for the ADSW Summit includes important sessions on the global energy transition, the future of transportation, the health energy nexus, carbon capture and storage, the blue economy, and the increasing importance of environmental, social, and governance criteria in making decisions. 

The ADSW Summit will feature keynotes, fireside chats and panel sessions with other global leaders including; HE Mark Rutte, Prime Minister of the Netherlands; HH Sheikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty the King for Humanitarian Works and Youth Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain, President, Bahrain Olympic Committee; Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organization; H.E. Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Group CEO & Managing Director, Mubadala; Ray Dalio, Co-Chairman & Co-Chief Investment Officer, Bridgewater Associates, LP; HE Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Almheiri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment; HE Thomas J. Vilsack, US Secretary of Agriculture; John Kerry, US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate; HE Sheikh Shakhboot Nahyan Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Held annually since 2008, ADSW has become one of the latest sustainability platforms in the world, with more than 45,000 people from 175 countries participating in ADSW 2020. As a global platform supporting economic development, knowledge sharing and innovation, ADSW is aligned with the UAE’s ‘Principles of the 50,’ which chart a course for the nation’s prosperity over the next five decades. 

As well as the ADSW Summit, events still to come at ADSW include the Opening Ceremony and the Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony, the World Future Energy Summit, Innovate, Youth 4 Sustainability Hub, WiSER Forum, and the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum. 

To register for the ADSW Summit, please adsw.ae and join the conversation for a sustainable future. 

• Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) will host heads of state, more than 500 global speakers, 150 government ministers, 1,000 international businesses, and 3,000 students 
• UAE aims to accelerate pathways to net zero by mobilizing finance, innovation and partnerships

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; January 10, 2022: Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2022 taking place from 15 – 19 January, will convene global leaders, including heads of state, policy makers, and international business leaders, as the United Arab Emirates aims to take the agenda global sustainability forward and accelerate pathways to net zero.

Hosted by Masdar, ADSW 2022 will be the first major sustainability event after the COP26 climate change conference, and will act as a global catalyst for COP27, which will be held in Egypt in 2022, and COP28, which will be hosted by the UAE in 2023. Held annually since 2008, ADSW has become one of the latest sustainability platforms in the world, with more than 45,000 people from 175 countries participating in ADSW 2020. 

HE Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Special Envoy for Climate Change, and Chairman of Masdar, said: “The next few years will be pivotal as we work together across policy, business and industry to accelerate progressive climate action that will deliver economic opportunities and prosperity for current and future generations. 

“The UAE has a long-term vision that will build on our longstanding track record in innovating climate solutions across the entire energy spectrum. Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week continues to offer an ideal platform for promoting, deploying and taking these climate solutions to scale around the world. Aligned with the UAE’s ‘Principles of the 50,’ it provide opportunities for global collaboration, knowledge sharing, investment and advancing new technological innovations that will take the global sustainability agenda forward and turn plans into action.”

In addition to heads of state, leaders confirmed to participant at ADSW included HE Mr António Guterres, United Nations Secretary General; Ms Damilola Ogunbiyi, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for all, Chief Executive Officer of Sustainable Energy for All SEforAll; John Kerry, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate; HE Sameh Shoukry, Minister of Foreign Affairs, President Designate COP27; Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP, COP26 President; Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organization; Francesco La Camera, Director-General of International Renewable Energy Agency; Ferid Belhaj, Vice-President of the World Bank Group; HE Ban Ki-moon, President of the Assembly and Chair of the Council of the Global Green Growth Institute, Eight Secretary-General of the United Nations; Rishi Kapoor, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Investcorp; and Karen Wong, Global Head of ESG and Sustainable Investing, State Street Global Advisors, one of the world’s largest asset managers with US $3.90 trillion under its management.

Commenting ahead of her appearance at the ADSW, HE Halimah Yacob, President of the Republic of Singapore, said, “To deliver a sustainable future for our planet, the collective action of all stakeholders is needed. Even as we tackle the pandemic, we must not lose sight of other equally pressing global challenges. Governments, businesses, researchers, communities and individuals all have a role in addressing the challenges of climate change. 

“The ADSW provides us a timely opportunity to exchange views on our collective response, and the urgent steps needed. I thank His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, for inviting me to speak at the Summit.”

The hosting of ADSW is a key component in the UAE’s positioning as a regional and global leader in sustainability and climate action. Last October, the UAE announced its Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, a national drive to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, the first such initiative in the MENA region. The UAE was also the first Arab country to set voluntary clean energy targets, and the first Gulf state to sign the Paris Agreement.

Further demonstrating the UAE’s leading role in driving action on climate change, at home, in the region, and throughout the world, the ADSW Opening Ceremony and the Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony will take place at Expo 2020 Dubai on Monday January 17 to coincide with Global Goals Week. All other ADSW events will take place in Abu Dhabi or virtually. 

Since its inception, ADSW has reflected the changing global sustainability landscape, broadening its scope from renewable energy and water, to include new global trends and topics like artificial intelligence, space and mobility. The number of ADSW events has also expanded over time, with the additions of the IRENA Assembly in 2010, the Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy’ (WiSER) Forum in 2015, Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum in 2017, Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum 2019, and the virtual ADSW Summit in 2021. 

Taking place virtually on January 17, the ADSW Summit will bring together global leaders to engage in dialogue and outline actions to achieve a net-zero future. Delivering global net zero commitments and the journey to the COP28 climate change conference will be key topics for discussion at the ADSW Summit. 

The World Future Energy Summit exhibition and forums, which take place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) during ADSW from January 17-19, will showcase exhibitors from nearly 1,000 international companies, supporting the global energy transition. Exhibiting companies will showcase the latest innovations for clean energy, water, smart cities, and ecowaste. Country pavilions participating at the World Future Energy Summit include China, India, Japan, South Korea, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland and Nigeria. 

Key ADSW dates include: January 15-16 - IRENA Assembly, January 17 – Opening Ceremony and the Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony, ADSW Summit, January 17-19 – World Future Energy Summit, Innovate, Youth 4 Sustainability Hub, January 18-19 Atlantic Council Forums January 18 – WiSER Forum, January 19, Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum. 

Delivering ADSW 2022 successfully can only be achieved by the ongoing support of our global sponsors and partners; Abu Dhabi Department of Energy; Aramex, Bee’ah, Crédit Agricole, Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation; Engie, Etihad Airways, General Electric, InvestCorp, McKinsey & Company, Mubadala Investment Company, Pepsico, Power China; Tabreed, and the UAE Space Agency. 

Registration details for ADSW events can be found on www.adsw.ae.

 

• As part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, the virtual ADSW Summit will bring together heads of state, policy makers, global business leaders and technology pioneers
• Agenda will explore the social, economic and innovation opportunities for taking climate action and delivering pathways for a net-zero future

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), the global platform for accelerating sustainable development hosted by Masdar, will hold the ADSW Summit virtually on Monday January 17, 2022, helping to set the global agenda for addressing the world’s most pressing sustainability challenges. 

The ADSW Summit will bring together heads of state, policy makers, business leaders, and technology pioneers, to engage in dialogue and outline actions to achieve a net-zero future. The ADSW Summit will be broadcast online across different time zones to engage audiences across a broad range of geographies and markets. 

Delivering global net zero commitments and the journey to the COP28 climate change conference will be key topics for driving discussions at the ADSW Summit. Sessions during the ADSW Summit will also include important sessions on the global energy transition, the future of transportation, the health energy nexus, carbon capture and storage, the blue economy, and the increasing importance of environmental, social, and governance criteria in making decisions. 

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, said: “We have entered a new era of sustainability, where we must work together across policy, business and technology to mitigate climate change. We are already witnessing the acceleration of clean energy deployment around the world, which Masdar is helping to lead, and this level of pace will be reflected in other industries over the coming months and years as we work together towards a net-zero future.

“The UAE is taking a leading role in delivering climate action and has a proven record of turning challenges into opportunities. Global events like these will help prepare the ground for COP27 in Egypt and COP28 which will take place in the UAE in 2023, and will further cement our nation’s position as a sustainability hub.” 

The confirmed speakers at ADSW Summit include: HE Halimah Binte Yacob, President of Singapore, HE Eng. Awaidha Murshed Ali Al Marar Chairman of Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, HE Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa Al Hammadi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, Catherine MacGregor, CEO of ENGIE, Dr.-Ing. Christian Bruch, President and CEO, Siemens Energy, Richard Edelman, CEO of Edelman, and Dr. Sylvia Earle, President & Chairwoman of Mission Blue. The full list of speakers will be published in early January 2022.

The 2021 edition of the ADSW Summit, which took place virtually, received over 3 million views online and included keynotes from HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP, COP26 President, HE Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Managing Director & Group Chief Executive Officer of Mubadala Investment Company, and Laurence Fink, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BlackRock, Inc.

As a global platform supporting economic development, knowledge sharing and innovation, ADSW is aligned with the UAE’s ‘Principles of the 50,’ which chart a course for the nation’s prosperity over the next five decades. 

As one of the largest gatherings of its kind, ADSW provides a global platform for cooperation, knowledge sharing, investment and innovation, welcoming each year more than 45,000 participants from over 170 countries, with more than 1,000 international companies represented. 

Alongside the ADSW Summit, ADSW will feature a series of high-level events running from Saturday January 15 – Wednesday January 19, 2022, including:  January 15-16 - IRENA Assembly, Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum, January 17 - Opening Ceremony and the Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony,  January 17-19 - World Future Energy Summit, Innovate, Youth 4 Sustainability Hub, January 18 - WiSER Forum, January 19, Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum. 

Registration details for the ADSW Summit and other ADSW events can be found on adsw.ae.

• The week long program will bring together global leaders from government, business and technology to support the acceleration of climate action and net zero commitments
• Aligned with the ‘Principles of the 50’, ADSW will enable cooperation, knowledge sharing, investment and innovation

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), the global platform for accelerating sustainable development, hosted by Masdar, will be held from January 15 to 19, 2022. 

As the first major sustainability event taking place after COP26, ADSW 2022 will bring together the global community across high-level events, with participants including heads of state, policy makers, industry specialists, technology pioneers and young sustainability leaders. ADSW 2022 will focus on delivering action across three principles; Global Collaboration & Leadership, Economic Development, and Technology & Innovation. 

The ADSW Opening Ceremony and the Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony will take place at the Dubai Exhibition Centre on Monday January 17, 2022, reinforcing the collective commitment of the United Arab Emirates to climate action and sustainability.  

All other ADSW events, including the ADSW Summit, IRENA Assembly, Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum, World Future Energy Summit, Innovate, Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum, Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy (WiSER) Forum, and the Youth 4 Sustainability Hub will take place in Abu Dhabi or virtually. 

The UAE has always been proactive and forward-thinking in its approach to sustainability.  Earlier this year, the UAE announced its Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, a national drive to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, making it the first country in the MENA region to announce such an initiative. The Net Zero Initiative will see the UAE invest over AED600 billion in clean and renewable energy over the coming decades. 

Delivering global net zero commitments and the journey to COP28, which will be held in the UAE in 2023, will be key topics for driving discussions at the ADSW Summit.  The ADSW Summit, which will take place virtually on Monday January 17, will host global leaders from government, industry and technology to explore the latest technological and economic trends that are shaping the sustainability agenda. 

An important enabler to delivering a sustainable future is innovation and supporting emerging technologies and start-ups. New to the ADSW program is Innovate, a global initiative recently launched by Masdar City aimed at identifying and nurturing the next generation of sustainable technologies. As part of its year-round program, Innovate will include a innovation hub at the World Future Energy Summit exhibition, taking place at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from January 17 – 19.

The World Future Energy Summit will also host a series of industry forums that will bring together leading experts to discuss clean energy, water, ecowaste, solar, smart cities and climate and environment.   

ADSW is aligned with The ‘Principles of the 50,’ which serve as a strategic roadmap as the nation enters a new era in its development path, and a new cycle of economic, political and social growth. As one of the largest of gatherings of its kind, ADSW provides a global platform for cooperation, knowledge sharing, investment and innovation, welcoming each year more than 45,000 participants from over 170 countries, with more than 1,000 international companies represented.

ADSW will be taking place from Saturday January 15 – Wednesday January 19, 2022. 
Key dates include: January 15-16 - IRENA Assembly, Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum, January 17 - Opening Ceremony and the Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony, ADSW Summit,  January 17-19 - World Future Energy Summit, Innovate, Youth 4 Sustainability Hub, January 18 - WiSER Forum, January 19, Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum. 

Registration details for individual ADSW events can be found on www.adsw.ae.