(Abu Dhabi) – His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces inaugurated the seventh World Future Energy Summit (WFES) and second International Water Summit during the opening ceremony of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW). Attracting more than 30,000 people, ADSW is the Middle East’s largest gathering focused on addressing the interconnected challenges affecting energy, water and sustainable development.
His Highness welcomed guests to the Summit, including presidents and government officials from African nations. The opening ceremony’s theme focused on Africa’s energy challenges and how they impede the region’s economic development. The topic of Africa, and its potential to ‘leapfrog’ technologies and grow its economy, was highlighted during a panel discussion that united Macky Sall, President of Senegal; Ernest Bai Koroma, President of Sierra Leone; and Hailemariam Desalegn, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.
Commenting on the opening ceremony, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed emphasised Africa’s tremendous opportunity to adopt sustainable development as a pathway to grow its economy, while protecting its natural resources. His Highness also underscored that the United Arab Emirates, under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, is committed to delivering energy – new and traditional – as a fundamental pillar to ensuring global economic growth and security.
