UN Secretary-General commends UAE and Masdar's leadership in addressing global energy challenges

His Excellency Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, today commended Masdar’s ambition and commitment to advancing and commercialising innovations in renewable energy and clean technology.
His Excellency Ban Ki-Moon was officially welcomed at the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology campus by Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, CEO and Managing Director of Masdar, the Abu Dhabi-based company focusing on the development and deployment of sustainable energy solutions. Dr. Sultan Al Jaber accompanied His Excellency Ban Ki-Moon on a guided tour of Masdar City.
Delivering an address following the tour of the campus, the Middle East’s first graduate research institution dedicated to clean energy research and education, His Excellency Ban Ki-Moon, said: “The future is showcased in Masdar. The technology on renewable and future energy will help economic growth, achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) targets, and bring healthcare, while benefiting the entire planet."
“The fact that Masdar is the brainchild of one of the leading global oil producers is all the more inspiring,” the UN Secretary-General added. “Such an endeavour, if implemented through private and public partnerships, can make the new technology affordable to everyone.”
Dr. Sultan Al Jaber said: “We are delighted to host Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon at Masdar this afternoon. He is a long-time friend to Masdar, the UAE, and most importantly, is leading the community of nations as we strive to identify the renewable energy and clean technology solutions that will meet our collective global energy and climate change challenges.
“We admire and respect his leadership and critical contributions to driving international cooperation towards a viable long-term roadmap for sustainability around the world,” Dr Sultan added.
HE Ban Ki-Moon added: “Today I had the privilege of witnessing for myself the leadership of Abu Dhabi. This I can guarantee is a vision with a difference that is getting translated into reality. I truly commend and congratulate Abu Dhabi and the UAE for such a path-breaking initiative and I am confident the future technology can be shared with other countries as well.”
Earlier in the day, Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon addressed visiting Royals, Heads of State and international delegates at the opening ceremony of the World Future Energy Summit 2011 - the world’s largest conference and exhibition on renewable and future energy solutions, innovations, investments, policy and vision, hosted by Masdar at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).
Background Information
Masdar
Masdar is a global leader in renewable energy and sustainable urban development. Over the last decade, we have pioneered commercially viable solutions in clean energy, sustainable real estate and clean technology in the UAE and around the world.
Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, we develop renewable energy projects, realise low-carbon urban development, while advancing clean-tech innovation. We also deliver world-class knowledge and industry platforms.
At Masdar, we are supporting the UAE’s transition towards a knowledge-based economy. We aim to be a model for the commercial adoption of clean technologies, and a showcase of the UAE’s wider commitment to sustainability.
Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company Group
Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company Group (ADNEC) is an international venue development and business management company. ADNEC Group's portfolio currently includes the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, the Gulf's largest exhibition centre; ExCeL London, the UK capital's largest exhibition centre; the Al Ain Convention Centre, a brand new development in the historic city of Al Ain, Capital Gate, the UAE capital's iconic, gravity defying tower and a number of hotel projects. In addition ADNEC is master developer of the Capital Centre project, the world's first fully interconnected exhibition lifestyle destination.
ADNEC Group is developing its network both through acquisition and construction; the company's objective is to become the world's leading venue provider to the international exhibitions, conferences and live events industries by providing consistently high standards of venue facilities, management and client relationships and capitalising on the synergies which exist within a global venue network.
ADNEC Group's Executive Office is located in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. ADNEC Group is a Government organisation which functions as a private enterprise and operates within the principle core values of efficiency and effectiveness.