UAE supports global innovation with international conferences, events and awards
The UAE has been hosting various international conferences and offering awards to celebrate innovators and bright minds from around the world, encouraging them to provide innovative and sustainable solutions to global humanitarian and development challenges to ensure a brighter future for humanity.
These initiatives are a major factor in consolidating UAE's position as an international hub for innovation, an attractive destination for creative minds, and an incubator for innovators from all over the world. These awards contribute to presenting effective projects and programs to overcome and address the challenges humanity faces today. They also introduce sustainable solutions that enable societies around the world to cross into a future that offers opportunities for success and progress.
Many international awards have been launched from the UAE like the Zayed Sustainability Prize that was launched in 2008 to honor the legacy and vision of the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to lay a solid foundation for sustainability. The prize honors global small and medium enterprises (SMEs), non-profit organizations, and high schools that present innovative, sustainable solutions capable of making a positive societal impact, UAE news agency WAM reports.
Over 13 years, the prize honored 86 winners whose innovative sustainable solutions and outstanding school projects have made a difference, directly or indirectly, to the lives of over 352 million people around the world. The Prize consists of five categories: health, food, energy, water, and global high schools. The 2022 winners will be announced during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week in January 2022.
The World Green Economy Summit The World Green Economy Summit (WGES), which is organized by DEWA and the World Green Economy Organization (WGEO) under the patronage of the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, plays a key role in raising awareness on green economy and promoting green projects in the UAE and the region.
WGES, held this year under the theme ‘Galvanizing Action for a Sustainable Recovery,’ is a strategic platform to support international collaboration to address global challenges, enhance sustainable development and green economy investments, as well as encourage the adoption of effective relevant policies and plans.
WGES attracts country heads, leaders, and influencers from across the globe. The event also draws thought leaders, specialists and experts in green economy and sustainable development along with CEOs, stakeholders, financial institutions, representatives of global markets, business leaders, and experts in the public and private sectors.
The 7th WGES will take place on 6-7 October at Expo 2020 Dubai, Coinciding with Expo 2020, this year’s summit is expected to have a wider reach compared to previous ones. This will improve WGES’ success in promoting Dubai’s position as a global hub for a green economy.
The Emirates Energy Award (EEA) was also launched under the patronage of Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid to encourage individuals and establishments in the Middle East and North Africa to rationalize their energy and resource consumption, as well as highlight best practices in energy efficiency, clean energy, sustainability and environmental conservation. EEA recognizes the efforts of individuals and public and private entities to enforce energy-efficient projects. It also promotes relevant education, scientific research, and creative ideas. With the theme ‘Inspiring Innovation for Sustainable Energy,’ the 4th EEA will highlight Dubai’s role in supporting and implementing strategies designed to use renewable energy and energy technologies.
