Agenda
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TIME: 08:30 AM
Registration and Networking
SESSION 1 : NET ZERO TARGETS TO CONCRETE ACTION
- What are the major global economies doing to reach net zero?
- Are there opportunities at a global scale for UAE and the region?
Session Chair: Amna Al Bastaki, COP28 Youth Ambassador
TIME: 09:45 AM
Opening Address:
HH Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah
TIME: 09:55 AM
Keynote Address: UAE Energy Strategy in the context of UAE Net Zero Strategy
HE Eng. Sharif Alolama, Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs, UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure
TIME: 10:05 AM
Welcome Address:
HE Munther Mohammed bin Shekar Al Zaabi, Director General, Ras Al Khaimah Municipality
TIME: 10:10 AM
Keynote Presentation: Outcomes from COP29 and on transforming emerging markets and developing economies
HE Ambassador Majid Al Suwaidi, Chief Executive Officer, ALTÉRRA and Director General & Special Representative, COP28 Presidency
TIME: 10:25 AM
Executive Panel Discussion: Thinking 20 years ahead – paths to regional energy sustainability
Following COP28, the world has agreed to ambitious targets of doubling the rate of energy efficiency adoption and tripling renewables capacity by 2030 to keep the goals of the Paris Agreement alive. The IEA estimates that, globally, cities account for around 75% of global energy consumption and 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and this is expected to increase as the world continues to urbanise. To achieve our targets, therefore, cities must take the lead. This conversation gathers leaders of local and regional government agencies for a practical discussion on how cities and local governments can enable the ongoing energy transition.
Moderator: Ben Smith, Director & Group Leader, Climate and Sustainability Services, Arup, London
Panelists:
- Dr. Mohammed Al Kalbani, Director General of Sustainable Energy, The Authority for Public Services Regulation, Oman
- Eng. Rashid Hussain Al Rahimi, Director of Conservation and Energy Efficiency Department, Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (KAHRAMAA), Qatar
- Eng. Saleh Al Rashidi, Head of Safety Department, Kuwait Municipality
- HE Yousif Al Ali, Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Water and Electricity (EtihadWE), UAE
TIME: 11:10 AM
VIP Exhibition and Morning Networking Break
SESSION 2: CITIES LEADING ENERGY TRANSITION DEPLOYMENT
- How can cities lead the energy transition of the region?
Session Chair: Roisin White-Barrett, Managing Director, Clean Energy Business Council (CEBC)
TIME: 11:35 AM
Session Chair’s Welcome Remarks
TIME: 11:40 AM
International Keynote Presentation: What is the role of cities in the energy transition?
Ben Smith, Director – Climate and Sustainability Services, Arup, London
TIME: 11:55 AM
Sponsor Presentation: Technology for sustainability, focusing on smart cities and energy efficient buildings
Hakan Ozdemir, CEO Smart Infrastructure, Siemens Middle East
TIME: 12:10 PM
Fireside Chat: Recycling waste to create circular and low-carbon building materials
Host: Roisin White-Barrett, Managing Director, Clean Energy Business Council (CEBC)
Guest Speaker: Abdallah Massaad, Group CEO, RAK Ceramics
TIME: 12:25 PM
Sponsor Presentation: District Cooling: An essential player in sustainable urban developments and global decarbonisation
Philippe Coquelle, Chief Development Officer, Tabreed
TIME: 12:40 PM
Sponsor Presentation: Can “smart” cities pave the way to “green” cities?
Balqees Aldaghar, Key Accounts Manager, Carrier UAE
TIME: 12:55 PM
Sponsor Presentation: Sustainable real estate: A case of leadership in the Middle East (TBD)
Salwa Maflahi, Executive Director – Corporate Sustainability and Community Outreach, Aldar Properties PJSC
TIME: 01:10 PM
Presentation: Upgrading a city to world class sustainability and living standards
Graham Hallett, Chief Development Officer, Marjan
TIME: 01:30 PM
Networking Lunch Break
TIME: 02:30 PM
Panel Discussion: How to accelerate action on building energy efficiency in the region?
Residential and commercial buildings account for more than half of the electricity consumption of Ras Al Khaimah and roughly the same for the UAE and its neighbouring countries. Over the last decade, a thriving energy services market has developed starting from the UAE and now also in KSA and Oman. How can building energy efficiency accelerate further?
Moderator: Roisin White-Barrett, Managing Director, CEBC
Panelists:
- Ahmed Fateen, Channel Commercial VP, Schneider Electric
- Dilin Varkey, Vice President – Facilities Management, Al Hamra Real Estate Development
- Faisal Rashid, Senior Director – Demand Side Management, Dubai Supreme Council of Energy
- Dr. Jauad El Kharraz, Chief Executive Officer, Water-Energy-Climate Expert Network (WECEN)
- Mayur Nikam, Vice President, Business Development, Tabreed
SESSION 3: URBAN MOBILITY AND TRANSPORT OF THE FUTURE
- How can we accelerate clean mobility in the region?
Session Chair: Graeme Sims, Director, GLS Advisory
TIME: 03:15 PM
Session Chair’s Welcome Remarks
TIME: 03:20 PM
Sponsor Presentation: Digital transformation for public transport systems
HE Esmaeel Hassan AlBlooshi, Director General, Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority(RAKTA)
TIME: 03:35 PM
International Keynote Presentation: Urban mobility of the future
Dr. Batool Madani, Researcher, International Association of Public Transport (UITP)
TIME: 03:50 PM
Presentation: Challenges in public transport planning for low density suburban sprawl
Christoph Gipp, Member of the Management Board and Head of Business Unit Mobility, Dornier Group
TIME: 04:05 PM
Sponsor Presentation: Role of AI in future mobility (TBD)
Musbah Abu Jarad, Executive Director – Projects Procurement, Aldar Properties PJSC
TIME: 04:20 PM
Sponsor Presentation: No more traffic jams? Air taxis for future mobility
TIME: 04:35 PM
Panel Discussion: Emerging solutions for a sustainable transport ecosystem
This panel will focus on emerging solutions to drive the transition to a cleaner and sustainable transportation ecosystem while highlighting regional initiatives and international best practices to promote sustainable urban mobility. Key discussion points will be electrification and alternative fuels, emerging mobility modes and first/last mile solutions, and supporting technology and MaaS solutions.
Moderator: Dure Shewar, Manager MENA office, International Association of Public Transport (UITP)
Panelists:
- Anan Al Amri, Section Head – Alternative & Sustainable Mobility, Integrated Transport Center –Abu Dhabi
- Dimitra Theodoropulos, Director of Sustainability, Talabat
- Farrukh Khan, Commercial Affairs & Investment Manager, RAK Transport Authority (RAKTA)
- Nadia Rouchdy, Head of Climate, Emirates Nature-WWF
TIME: 05:20 PM
Networking Coffee with Senior Government Executives
ROUND TABLE SESSIONS
(BY INVITE ONLY)
TIME: 01:30 PM
Parallel Session: Empowering Arab youth through green skills for sustainable development
Lead: Arab Youth Center
TIME: 03:30 PM
Parallel Session: Why district cooling is essential for progress in the Northern Emirates
Lead: Tabreed
TIME: 06:00 PM
End of Day One
TIME: 08:30 AM
Registration and Networking
SESSION 4: THE GRID OF THE FUTURE
- How will electricity grids change to support massive renewables deployment?
Session Chair: Razann Al Ghussein, Outgoing Curator, Global Shapers Dubai Hub
TIME: 09:45 AM
Session Chair’s Welcome Remarks
TIME: 09:50 AM
Fireside Chat: Federal government perspective on energy transition
HE Eng. Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure
TIME: 10:05 AM
Keynote Address: Relevance of the energy sector for achieving the global climate goals
HE Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28
TIME: 10:15 AM
Keynote Address: Vision for development of the Northern Emirates Grid
HE Yousif Al Ali, Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Water and Electricity (EtihadWE)
TIME: 10:30 AM
International Keynote Presentation: Regional Grid Integration / HVDC Revolution
Ahmed Ali Al-Ebrahim, Chief Executive Officer, GCC Interconnection Authority
TIME: 10:45 AM
International Keynote Presentation: Energy Efficiency 2024: Key insights from the new IEA market report, including a focus on the role of efficiency in tempering rising electricity demand
Lucas Boehlé, Energy Efficiency Analyst, International Energy Agency (IEA), Paris
TIME: 11:00 AM
Keynote Presentation: Ras Al Khaimah Strategy for the Energy Transition
Andrea Di Gregorio, Executive Director, Energy Efficiency and Renewables Office, Ras Al Khaimah Municipality
TIME: 11:15 AM
Technology Showcase: Resilience without peakers: pumped storage in the GCC
Dr. Yves-Laurent BECK, Hydro Project Manager, EDF Group
TIME: 11:30 AM
Sponsor Presentation: Mission-driven innovation: Statevolt’s fundamental role in energy storage
Lars Carlstrom, Founder & CEO, Statevolt
TIME: 11:45 AM
Sponsor Presentation: AI for Impact: Sustainability-driven use cases shaping the future of energy
Yasser Ahmed, Buildings VP, Schneider Electric
TIME: 12:00 PM
UAE Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure – Energy Management Awards
TIME: 12:10 PM
VIP Exhibition and Networking Break
TIME: 12:35 PM
Panel Discussion: International grid interconnection: the energy pipelines of the future?
As the world decarbonises, a large part of our energy consumption is expected to be electrified. Electric vehicles are already a major global trend. Electricity is also gradually being favoured for large-scale heating and cooling applications where fossil fuels are traditionally used. Together with more intermittent renewables, this will strain existing grids. Long-distance and international interconnections are one of the solutions being considered along with energy storage.
Moderator: Cornelius Matthes, Chief Executive Officer, Dii Desert Energy
Panelists:
- Abdulla Alkhemeiri, Chief Operation Officer, Etihad Water and Electricity (EtihadWE)
- Ahmed Ali Al-Ebrahim, Chief Executive Officer, GCC Interconnection Authority
- HE Francesco La Camera, Director General, IRENA
- Luc Koechlin, Managing Director and CEO, EDF Middle East
- Dr. Ralf Blumenthal, Senior Vice President and Head, Siemens Grid Software Middle East & Africa
SESSION 5: FUELS AND ENERGY CARRIERS OF THE FUTURE
- What is the place of hydrogen, SAF, and other fuels in the region’s and global decarbonisation roadmap?
Session Chair: Robin Mills, Chief Executive Officer, Qamar Energy
TIME: 01:20 PM
Session Chair’s Welcome Remarks
TIME: 01:25 PM
Sponsor Presentation: Potential for hydrogen and carbon capture in RAK’s unique geology
Thibaut Burckhart, Exploration Manager, RAKGAS
TIME: 01:40 PM
Panel Discussion: Clean fuels for hard-to-abate industries
Hard-to-abate industries account for roughly a quarter of global GHG emissions, including cement, steel, refining, shipping and aviation. In Ras Al Khaimah, they are close to three quarters of local emissions.
Using clean fuels is one of the main pathways being explored to decarbonise hard-to-abate industries. Among clean fuels, hydrogen seems to show the most promise in the region, with several green hydrogen production plans in various stages.
Moderator: Robin Mills, Chief Executive Officer, Qamar Energy
Panelists:
- Ali Aljefri, Head, Green Hydrogen Investment Support, Masdar
- Chris Wood, Chief Executive Officer, RAKGAS & Chief Executive, RAK Petroleum Authority
- Maryam Ali AlBalooshi, Environmental Manager, UAE General Civil Aviation Authority
- Eng. Nawal Alhanaee, Director of Future Energy Department, UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure
TIME: 02:25 PM
Networking Lunch Break
SESSION 6:ENERGY-INTENSIVE INDUSTRY – A CRITICAL PIECE OF THE ENERGY TRANSITION PUZZLE
- How will heavy industry like cement and ceramics adapt to a low-carbon future?
Session Chair: Andre Martin, Owner, Elandre Conseil SRL
TIME: 03:25 PM
Session Chair’s Welcome Remarks
TIME: 03:30 PM
International Keynote Presentation: Fighting the CO2 challenge - Road to carbon neutral cement
Akhilesh Gupta, Founder & Managing Director, GreenOps Consulting
TIME: 03:45 PM
Panel Discussion: Decarbonising cement: how the construction value chain can accelerate
Cement production today uses about 7% of the world’s energy and contributes to 8% of its GHG emissions. Cement is considered one of the hardest-to-abate industries globally, as its emissions are inherent to the chemical reactions that produce cement, regardless of the fuel used. Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah together have more than half of the UAE’s cement capacity, and also export cement to neighbouring countries. While the UAE’s net zero emission ambitions are important, it is also important to keep this vital industry and its jobs in the UAE.
Moderator: Anne Dekeukelaere, Executive Director, CWSC (Center for Worldwide Sustainable Construction), EPFL University
- Andre Martin, Owner, Elandre Conseil SRL
- Dr. Cetin Nazikkol, Member of the Executive Board | Chief Strategy Officer, Thyssenkrupp Decarbon Technologies
- Mohammad Abu Zahra, Head of Middle East Africa (MEA), Global CCS Institute
- Mohammed Ahmed Al Shehhi, Chief Executive Officer, Gulf Cement Company
TIME: 04:40 PM
Presentation: Tailoring carbon pricing for the region?
Humaid Kanji, Head of Environmental Economics, Environmental Policy Analysis and Economics at Integrated Environment Policy and Planning Sector, Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD)
TIME: 04:55 PM
Fireside Chat: UAE Circular Economy Strategy
Host: Nadia Rouchdy, Head of Climate, Emirates Nature-WWF
Guest Speaker: Eng. Aisha Alabdooli, Director of Green Development, UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment
TIME: 05:10 PM
Closing Address: TBD
ROUND TABLE SESSIONS
(BY INVITE ONLY)
TIME: 02:55 PM
Parallel Session: Decarbonising the hospitality sector
Lead: Advancing Net Zero Volunteering Team
TIME: 03:50 PM
Parallel Session: TBC
TIME: 05:30 PM
End of Day Two
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