H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, officially opened the Etihad Water and Electricity Museum at the Saud bin Saqr Energy and Innovation Park in Ras Al Khaimah. He stated that the museum represents the advancement of the UAE.
Preserving historical narratives
Accompanied by Sheikh Khalid bin Saud Al Qasimi, vice chairman of Ras Al Khaimah’s Investment and Development Office, and Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, UAE minister of Energy and Infrastructure, H.H. Sheikh Saud highlighted the importance of preserving the successful developmental narrative of the United Arab Emirates, along with the significant historical milestones that have contributed to its esteemed position both regionally and globally.
He further noted the crucial role of museums in collecting and showcasing photographs, archival documents, artefacts, and historical equipment related to developmental projects.
Exploration of the museum
Moreover, during his visit, the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah explored various sections of the museum, taking the opportunity to examine its extensive collection of photographs, documents, and historical artefacts.
RAK Energy Summit 2024
On Wednesday, RAK Energy Summit 2024 kicked off at the Al Hamra International Exhibition & Conference Center in Ras Al Khaimah, with high-profile attendees from the UAE and around the world. The summit is being held under the patronage and in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi.
Keynote address on energy importance
The Summit and exhibition, hosted by Ras Al Khaimah Municipality, opened with a keynote speech by HH Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, who said: “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.
Commitment to energy transition
H.E. Munther Mohammed bin Shekar, director general of Ras Al Khaimah Municipality, the host of the Summit, stated: “We extend our gratitude to our leadership, sponsors, partners, and guests for making the first day of RAK Energy Summit a success. 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.” 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.
UAE’s aspirations for sustainability
Additionally, H.E. Eng. Saif Ghubash, assistant undersecretary for Petroleum, Gas, and Mineral Resources at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, said: “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 wasn’t just a pledge; it’s a promise to lead, innovate, and build a better, more sustainable future. To make this vision a reality, we updated the UAE Energy Strategy 2050 last year with bold new goals, as we committed to tripling the contribution of renewable energy in our energy mix, investing AED 200 billion by 2030, increasing the contribution of clean energy generation to 32 percent of our energy mix by 2030, boosting energy efficiency up to 45 percent by 2050, and achieving a grid emissions factor of 0.27 kg CO2/kWh, making the UAE one of the lowest emitters, compared to the global average.”
Corporate perspectives on sustainability
Tabreed’s Chief Executive Officer, Khalid Al Marzooqi, said: “The RAK Energy Summit is an extremely important event for Tabreed. It 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.”
Also, Salwa Al Maflahi, Aldar’s executive director for Sustainability and Community Outreach, said: “At Aldar, sustainability is a core part of our business and informs how we operate and deliver a positive impact. We promote sustainable economic growth and support the UAE’s commitment to drive climate action as we progress towards our own 2050 net zero goal. 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.”
Moreover, Amel Chadli, president for Gulf Countries, Schneider Electric, said: “We are proud to have sponsored and participated in RAK Energy Summit 2024, which is a crucial platform for leaders to influence the direction of sustainable energy. 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.”
Engaging discussions and future topics
Furthermore, the inaugural day of the Summit featured a lineup of esteemed speakers, including HE Yousif Al Ali, CEO of Etihad Water and Electricity (EtihadWE) from the UAE; Dr. Mohammed Al Kalbani, Director General of Sustainable Energy at Oman’s Authority for Public Services Regulation; Eng. Salah Al Rashidi, Head of the Safety Department at Kuwait Municipality; and Zaki Mohammed, Director of Sustainability Advisory at the Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (GORD).
In addition to executive panels, the sessions encompassed engaging discussions and presentations focused on two pivotal themes: city-level strategies for the energy transition and sustainable mobility, featuring contributions from companies such as RAK Ceramics, Marjan, and UITP. The first day wrapped up with roundtable discussions led by the Arab Youth Center and Tabreed.
Day 2 topics
Additionally, on the second day of the Summit, topics will center around future fuels, next-generation grids, and the decarbonization of hard-to-abate industries. HE Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, UAE minister of Energy and Infrastructure, is anticipated to share the federal government’s viewpoint on the energy transition, accompanied by notable speakers and decision-makers, including HE Yousif Al Ali, CEO of Etihad Water and Electricity (EtihadWE), and HE Francesco La Camera, director general of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Keynote presentations will be given by Ahmed Ali Al-Ebrahim, CEO of the GCC Interconnection Authority, and Lucas Boehlé, Energy Efficiency analyst at the International Energy Agency (IEA) in Paris.
Day 2 will also highlight Ras Al Khaimah’s initiatives regarding the energy transition. This day will feature the announcement of the winners of the UAE Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure’s Energy Management Awards, which honor outstanding practices in energy management, and will conclude with a roundtable session facilitated by the Advancing Net Zero Volunteering Team.
The RAK Energy Summit 2024 is proudly supported by Etihad Water and Electricity (EtihadWE) as the Lead Partner, along with 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 over 15 local government entities in Ras Al Khaimah.
