Intelligent CIO Middle East Issue 47 | Page 72

INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Green Technology UAE to lead drive to green energy at WETEX ///////////////////////////// The Water, Energy, Technology, and Environment Exhibition (WETEX 2019) will demonstrate how the UAE is at the forefront of sustainability and green energy. T he Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is organising the 21st Water, Energy, Technology, and Environment Exhibition (WETEX 2019) on October 21 to 23 to document UAE’s drive towards green energy under the theme ‘At the Forefront of Sustainability’. mitigating climate change, global warming, reducing acid rain and harmful waste. Under the umbrella of the Green Week, the event will be held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, in line with the directives of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance and President of DEWA. WETEX 2019 comes in line with the vision of the UAE’s leadership to accommodate global trends that are shifting towards green energy, reinforcing the transformation towards a green economy. It will focus on promoting environmental citizenship in achieving sustainable development, maintaining health, improving living standards, reducing poverty, securing new jobs; and protecting the environment by 72 INTELLIGENTCIO Environmental citizenship will also protect endangered species, fish and water from pollution, contribute to food security and increase crops. According to the annual report of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) for 2018, the global renewable sector employed 11 million people in 2018, compared to 10.3 million in 2017. Employment remains concentrated in China, Brazil, the USA, India and members of the European Union. As per the same IRENA report, Asian countries account for 60% of employment in this sector. Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA, said: “In accordance with the directives of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, we are working towards strengthening national efforts in the field of green energy. WETEX 2019 covers an estimated area of 78,413 square metres and will attract over 35,000 visitors, and 2,100 exhibitors from 53 countries, thus confirming Dubai’s leading role in sustainability and green energy. “It will be the largest edition since its inception 21 years ago and will be held under the umbrella of the Green Week, in conjunction with the fourth Dubai Solar Show, and the sixth World Green Economy Summit (WGES). It will also feature leading international experts in the green economy, smart, innovative and sustainable development fields. “DEWA is keen to promote all forms of green energy as a clean alternative to conventional energy, in line with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda; and DEWA’s vision to be a globally leading sustainable innovative corporation. Renewables such as solar, wind and waterpower are key to achieving sustainable economic, social and environmental development.” The fourth Dubai Solar Show, the region’s largest solar energy exhibition, held in conjunction with WETEX 2019, covers an area of over 14,000 square metres and follows the success of the previous edition. The Dubai Solar Show focuses on clean energy, a green economy and environmental, social and economic sustainability for the region. n www.intelligentcio.com