Al Tayer and Schwarzenegger sign partnership agreement to promote sustainability

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, Managing Director & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and Chairman of the World Green Economy Summit (WGES 2015), signed a partnership agreement with Arnold Schwarzenegger, former Governor of California and Chairman of the World Climate Region Summit R20, which will join WGES 2015 as an official partner. 

The agreement was inked on the margins of As part of The Road To Paris - World Climate Region Summit R20, which was recently organised in Paris, WGES 2015 will be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the U.A.E. and Ruler of Dubai, under the theme Global Partnerships for a Sustainable Future. This Summit will be held on 22-23 April 2015 and will focus on the transition towards a global green economy as well as promoting Dubai's position as a capital of green economy and sustainable development. 

The event was attended by Waleed Salman, Executive Vice President of Strategy and Business Development, Dr. Yousef Al Akraf, Executive Vice President of Business Support and Human Resources, Abdulnasser Abbas, Senior Director of Treasury, and Ahmed Abdullah, Senior Manager of External Communications. 

"This agreement comes in line with the initiative of the Green Economy for Sustainable Development initiative launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the U.A.E. and Ruler of Dubai, and in support of the efforts made to promote Dubai's position as a global hub for green economy," said Al Tayer. 

"This agreement will contribute to involving the World Climate Region Summit R20 as a partner in supporting the WGES, and as a founding partner and supporter of the partnership platform between both the public and private sectors to ensure the success of WGES' outcome and recommendations to achieve sustainable development," added Al Tayer. 

During the meeting, Al Tayer presented to Governor Schwarzenegger the book Flashes of Thought by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in addition to the first edition of the Green Economy Report 2015, which was presented during The Road to Paris - World Climate Region Summit R20. 

Al Tayer praised the role of Arnold Schwarzenegger and his commitment as global figure, in supporting world efforts to shed light on the effects of climate change, noting the importance of such meetings in supporting the efforts made by both the public and private sectors to set strategies and solutions that promote progress towards a green and clean economy. 

Al Tayer highlighted the vision of the U.A.E. Government and the strategies and solutions it has developed to promote green initiatives and the transition to a green economy. 

During the meeting, Schwarzenegger praised the efforts of Dubai throughout its ongoing efforts to become a hub for green economy and sustainable development. He also showed great interest in the efforts made by different sectors to conserve resources, preserve the environment and achieve sustainable development for the all the nations of the world. Schwarzenegger also praised the initiatives of Dubai Smart Government to make Dubai an integrated, innovative and smart city based on knowledge in the 21st century to achieve welfare and happiness for all residents. 

R20 aims to support governments all over the world to implement environmental projects with low carbon emissions and achieve economic development by addressing climate change for a better future. It also aims to increase awareness on long-term political, technical and financial solutions that can contribute to achieving a clean and sustainable economy. R20 also plays an effective role in facilitating communication and opening up new horizons among governments, non-governmental organisations, academics, and financial partners from both the public and private sectors, which makes R20 an important partner in the WGES 2015. 

The WGES 2014 facilitated partnerships with over 20 organisations including the UNDP, OECD, State of Green, ICC, CDP, R20, FICCI and over 25 companies like Citigroup, HSBC, BMW, Veolia and TrueBlue. . – Emirates News Agency, WAM