WETEX showcases the latest technological innovations in water, energy and environment sector

/ News & Interviews / Thursday, 01 November 2018 07:22

The 20th Water, Energy, Technology, and Environment Exhibition (WETEX 2018), and the 3rd Dubai Solar Show attracted over 33,000 visitors over three days. Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) organized both events, under the directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance and President of DEWA.

The two events were part of the UAE’s 5th Green Week - and the theme of the event was entitled – ‘At the forefront of sustainability,’ which was held from 23-25 October at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC). The exhibitions covered 78,413 square meters with over 2,100 exhibitors from 53 countries attending the conference.

HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum inaugurated the events, accompanied by HE Matar Humaid Al Tayer, Chairman of DEWA, along with a number of senior officials, director general, ambassadors and officials, DEWA EVPs, senior officials of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, and the media.

The UAE in many ways has become a beacon to the rest of the world in terms of how it has embraced sustainability. The embodiment of its commitment is illustrated best by its creation of ‘The Sustainable City’, which is a residential area that is providing inspiration to other countries.

Some countries have expressed a desire to embrace sustainability, but many remain skeptical when leveraging the ROI on the adoption of a sustainable model. However, the UAE’s development of ‘The Sustainable City’ is certainly serving as a benchmark to other nations – and Dubai is also on track to become the world’s cleanest city by 2050.

WETEX also coincided with the fifth edition of the World Green Economy Summit (WGES 2018), which featured a whole series of leading international speakers and experts on topics such as the green economy, smart cities, innovation, and sustainable development. 

One of the standout global figures that delivered a keynote presentation was former French President Francois Hollande, who played a key role in developing the Paris Climate Agreement before his term in office ended. He praised the UAE for its commitment to climate change, protection of the environment, its embrace of the green economy and sustainability objectives. However, he criticized the decision by US President Donald Trump, to opt out of the Paris Agreement, and expressed concerns that Brazil’s new right-wing president nicknamed the ‘Trump of the Tropics’ was about to follow suit.

Hollande said, “We must accelerate, we must invest and that happens in Dubai. We must not wait, even if Donald Trump has cut his commitment, we must consider that we go far and far.”

HE Matar Humaid Al Tayer, Chairman of DEWA, echoed the sentiments expressed by Hollande, and said the biggest issue on earth now facing the human race was climate change.

HE Al Tayer said, “The World Green Economy Summit this year focuses on best global practices and experiences in the digital transformation and its integration into a green economy. It discusses the latest digital technologies and innovations that will contribute in pushing forward the green growth and sustainable development, as well as expanding new funding mechanisms such as the green financing. The Summit looks into new means to measure the carbon footprint and utilize artificial intelligence in clean energy as each of these contributes efficiently in building a green economy, which will enhance our stand in combatting the biggest global issue our earth is facing now and in the future that is climate change.  

“From this summit, we strongly urge leaders, experts, governments and all stakeholders to work hand in hand to face this challenge before it is too late and implement the global commitments that have been made at Paris Agreement for climate change. These commitments were pronounced through integrated initiatives and projects that depend on clean energy as well as through efficiently moving towards green systems, whilst using latest technologies that adapt to digital and innovative solutions.”

Several other key events and activities

WETEX focused on a variety of events related to energy and water conservation, environment protection, waste management, green building, carbon reduction, highlighting the latest technology and the most successful innovations in conserving natural resources, enhancing environmental security and stimulating innovation and scientific creativity in energy.

“WETEX has become a much-awaited annual event for organizations, entities, and companies specializing in energy, water and environment from the region and around the world to show their solutions and green products and to identify the typical investment opportunities in these important and vital areas”, said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, and Founder and Chairman of WETEX.

“WETEX also provides a unique opportunity for investors to build business relationships and enhance business opportunities by networking with representatives of major companies and decision-makers from around the world under one roof. Meanwhile, the Dubai Solar Show spurs international efforts to develop the solar power sector, which is a cornerstone of sustainability. The event highlights the most important energy initiatives in Dubai that are main pillars in implementing the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050”, he added.

Innovation Hall highlights innovations in energy, water, environment and sustainability

The Innovation Hall focused on key innovations in energy, renewable and clean energy, mobility, technology, education, health, water and space science. By providing electronic kiosks for university students, DEWA offered new specialized educational materials, to share experiences and challenges, and honored Emiratis and other talented innovators from around the world.

The Innovation Hall encouraged knowledge sharing to build and enhance national capacity and promoted the talents and skills of people of determination as well as their innovations and ideas. The five Innovation Zones in the Hall this year were the Youth Zone; People of Determination Zone; DEWA Supplier Relationship Workshop Zone; Innovation Workshop and Seminars Zone; and the Activities & Events Zone.

“We had a full-fledged Innovation Hall during WETEX 2018 as part of our ongoing efforts to promote and contribute actively to enhance R&D and to keep pace with rapid technological advancements, in view of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and its technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT) and 3D printing. Through the Innovation Hall, we motivate inventors and innovators to deliver innovations from the UAE, and around the world, through smart platforms, and to promote practical and engineering research to develop new and innovative solutions in energy, water, environment and sustainability,” said Al Tayer.

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