RPT: PREVIEW - UAE To Host Sustainability Week Jan. 11-19 To Tackle Global Energy, Climate Issues

ABU DHABI (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 11th January, 2019) The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will hold a number of high-level energy events as part of its annual Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), including Atlantic Council's Global Energy Forum, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) General Assembly and the Future Sustainability Summit starting Friday through January 19 in order to help tackle the world's energy, water and climate challenges.

The Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2019 will follow last year's event that hosted around 38,000 attendees from 175 countries, with more than US$15 billion worth of projects being announced. This year's ADSW will host a series of policy events and panel discussions on the most critical issues on the sustainability agenda to promote collaboration and accelerate implementation of sustainable solutions needed to resolve global energy challenges.

The week will open with the 9th IRENA Assembly to be held January 11-13. The Assembly will see the election of new director-general and two ministerial roundtables with more than 120 ministers discussing the role of renewables in achieving universal energy access.

On Saturday, Atlantic Council's Global Energy Forum will open in Abu Dhabi. The two-day event aims to set the global energy agenda for 2019 and forecast changes in the world of energy. During the forum, Saudi Arabian Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih will update Saudi Vision 2030 and the country's oil market forecast, while OPEC Secretary General Mohammed Barkindo and UAE Energy Minister Suhail Mazrouei will discuss the future of the Vienna alliance between OPEC and non-OPEC countries. The event's discussions will also address the US shale industry, nuclear energy, blockchain usage and the rising energy demand in Asia.

The ADSW week will wrap up with the Future Sustainability Summit aimed at discussing fighting climate change and accelerating climate-friendly initiatives. UAE Minister of Climate Change Thani Zeyoudi, United Nations General Assembly President Maria Fernanda Espinosa, IRENA Director General Adnan Amin, as well as former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon are all set to attend the two-day summit.