The opening day welcomed over 1000 high-profile attendees
Under the patronage and in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, RAK Energy Summit 2024 kicked off today at the Al Hamra International Exhibition & Conference Center in Ras Al Khaimah, with high-profile attendees from the UAE and around the world.
“Energy is central to our lives and our economy, and without it, we can neither survive nor thrive. It is, therefore, imperative that we build a future in which energy is readily available, reliable, affordable, and, crucially, sustainable,” HH affirmed.
“This summit is an important initiative to drive the energy transition dialogue in the region, with a mission to inspire collaboration among international thought leaders and decision-makers. Together, we aim to position Ras Al Khaimah, the UAE, and the wider region at the forefront of global sustainable energy developments,” stated HE Munther Mohammed Bin Shekar, Director General, Ras Al Khaimah Municipality, the host of the Summit,
The first day featured a keynote address by the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure on the UAE Energy Strategy, followed by a keynote presentation by the COP28 Presidency on the role of finance to enable a just, equitable and orderly energy transition.
Pledge
“The UAE has always stepped up when it matters most. We were the first in the region to commit to net zero by 2050. This was not just a pledge; it’s a promise to lead, innovate, and build a better, more sustainable future,” remarked HE Eng Saif Ghubash, Assistant Undersecretary for Petroleum, Gas, and Mineral Resources at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure.
“The RAK Energy Summit gives us the opportunity to interact directly with and engage with the country’s leaders, policymakers, and developers and make actionable decisions that help enable the progress of the Northern Emirates while reaping environmental and commercial benefits,” commented Tabreed’s Chief Executive Officer, Khalid Al Marzooqi.
“We have a growing business in Ras Al Khaimah across the residential, hospitality, and retail sectors, and we fully support the leadership’s focus on sustainability in the emirate,” noted Salwa Al Maflahi, Aldar’s Executive Director for Sustainability and Community Outreach.
“The event certainly contributed to the important discourse on how artificial intelligence and digital technology can accelerate the energy transition, improve energy efficiency, and promote sustainable growth in cities, buildings, and businesses – in the UAE and across the globe,” observed Amel Chadli, President, Gulf Countries, Schneider Electric.
Distinguished speakers
The opening day of the Summit welcomed several distinguished speakers, including HE Yousif Al Ali, CEO of Etihad Water and Electricity (EtihadWE), UAE; Dr. Mohammed Al Kalbani, Director General, Sustainable Energy, Oman Authority for Public Services Regulation; Eng. Salah Al Rashidi, Head of Safety Department, Kuwait Municipality and Zaki Mohammed, Director Sustainability Advisory, Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (GORD)
RAK Energy Summit 2024 is supported by Etihad Water and Electricity (EtihadWE) as the Lead Partner, the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), and more than 15 local government entities in Ras Al Khaimah.
