This will be the first time that the WEF will be held outside of the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Emphasising its strong desire to become a green economy, the UAE was the first country in the region to adopt a long-term national initiative to achieve its goals. This initiative was launched in January 2012 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, under the slogan ‘A green economy for sustainable development’.

In keeping with this, the move to partner with WEF comes as part of du’s desire to support the UAE leadership’s vision of building a green economy. In its role as a telecommunications provider, du recognises the need to develop innovative and viable sustainable practices and to conserve energy, and encourages efforts to further explore the possibilities that will carry the nation, and the world, forward into a greener future.

As a responsible company with green practices as a core pillar of its business strategy, du employs several sustainable practices. The telecom endeavours to explore and implement innovative alternative energy solutions that can be integrated into its business strategy and operations, to maximise business operations, reduce cost and, most importantly, contribute to a healthier, cleaner environment for customers and future generations.

An example of these the usage of hybrid energy in its network base stations, which has so far reduced diesel fuel consumption by 270,000 litres (as of June 2012), in turn leading to 675 tonnes less CO2 emissions.

Demonstrating its commitment to the environment and the UAE, du was the first telecommunications company in the region to launch a Sustainable Development Report in October 2011, which provides full transparency on the extent of du’s efforts towards sustainable development & to become more environmentally responsible.

“It is a great honour and a pleasure to reaffirm our commitment to the UAE, and to sustainable practices, by partnering with the World Energy Forum. We would like to congratulate the UAE leadership for their vision for a brighter future, which has brought such an internationally significant event to Dubai, once more affirming the country’s position as a forward-thinking, progressive nation,” said Ahmed Bin Byat, Chairman, du. “On behalf of my colleagues, I would like to wish every success to the initiative, which will be pivotal in securing the UAE as an environmentally conscious leader.”

He added, “Hosting WEF will benefit the UAE in myriad ways. In addition to introducing new thinking and green technologies to the country, it will have a positive impact on the economy and community at large. “