Environment & Energy | Tuesday 27 September, 2016 7:35 am |

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has completed preparations for the launch of the 18th Water, Energy, Technology, and Environment Exhibition (WETEX) 2016, which will be held under the directives of His Highness 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, during the period from 4 to 6 October 2016 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, covering 63,700 square metres. 

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, Founder and Chairman of WETEX, and Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee, announced this at a press conference at the Armani hotel in Dubai. The conference was attended by HE Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO of Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower), Waleed Salman, Member of the WETEX Higher Organising Committee, Marwan Bin Haider, Chairman of the Information Technology Committee, Khawla Al Mehairi, Chairwoman of the Marketing and Media Committee, Dr. Yousef Al Akraf, Chairman of the Sales & Logistical Support Committee, Jassim Rajab, Chairman of the Finance Committee, and representatives of WETEX sponsors. The attendees expressed their satisfaction with the growth of the show, which is organised under the umbrella of Green Week, in conjunction with the third World Green Economy Summit (WGES) and the inaugural Dubai Solar Show.

“I am pleased to announce to you on behalf of the Higher Organising Committee of WETEX that we have completed all the preparations for holding the show. WETEX takes place under the directives of His Highness 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. This is part of our continuing efforts to promote innovation in the UAE and is in line with the National Innovation Strategy that was launched by HH S heikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. We also count on the event to build productive relationships based on cooperation and to exchange expertise and establish strategic partnerships. This stems from the position of Dubai as a global platform and a role model in providing the best and latest water, energy, and environment technologies in the world,” said HE Saeed Al Tayer

“I would like to assure our valued sponsors that the exhibition is the largest of its kind ever thanks to their cooperation with us. WETEX 2016 brings together the elite pioneers in energy, water and environment sectors with decision-makers and major investors in sustainable energy solutions, which will lead to many successful partnerships and agreements locally and regionally,” said HE Saeed Al Tayer.

“I would also like to assure our valued sponsors that the exhibition is the largest of its kind ever thanks to their cooperation with us. WETEX 2016 brings together the elite pioneers in energy, water and environment with decision-makers and major investors in sustainable energy solutions, which will lead to many successful partnerships and agreements locally and regionally.”

“Being one of the leading exhibitions in the world in energy, water, environment and oil & gas, WETEX tackles the environmental issues and current challenges faced by most of countries worldwide. Being the organisers of the show, DEWA is ensuring its success by providing every possible support. We are working to provide a suitable environment for forging new partnerships and agreements and highlighting opportunities during the exhibition. In addition to this, WETEX will review the latest developments and innovations by participants, which will reflect on the role of Dubai as a leading global hub as well as demonstrating the mandate of the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 to turn Dubai into a green city,” added Al Tayer

“With the accelerated pace of growth in the solar energy sector in the region, and in conjunction with WETEX 2016, DEWA is organising the first Dubai Solar Show, which will run on a display area of 13,000 square metres. This specialised show will attract major companies and organisations in solar energy from around the world. In addition, Dubai Solar Show is an important platform for public and private sectors to make agreements and build partnerships, review the latest technologies in solar energy, learn about the current and future projects in the region, identify market needs and present opportunities to take part in solar-energy projects and programmes.,” he added.

“The 18th WETEX will be the largest exhibition so far in terms of display area, number of exhibitors, and anticipated number of visitors. This year, WETEX expects to attract 1,900 exhibitors from 46 countries around the world, compared with 1,696 exhibitors last year, a 12% increase. In addition, the show will host 18 national pavilions, and 29 government organisations. Also, over 23,000 visitors are expected to visit the show with more than 56 Strategic, Diamond, Titanium, Platinum and Gold sponsors,” said Al Tayer.

“At DEWA, we will remain diligent in ensuring that WETEX uses its full potential to serve exhibitors, visitors and investors on our 63,700 square metre platform. This includes 9 halls at the Dubai International Convention Centre, and WETEX is a meeting place for thousands of pioneers and investors. It offers a real opportunity for everyone to look into new insights and techniques to engage with each other,” he added.

“For the third year in a row, WETEX is organised under the umbrella of Green Week, which includes community-related workshops, activities and environmental initiatives to raise awareness about the rationalisation of water and electricity consumption and promote the importance of implementing green practices. This strategy serves the core objective of WETEX to implement sustainability solutions, the adoption of green projects and the deployment of these concepts among organisations and individuals, to enhance the UAE’s leading role in green economy and sustainable development. At DEWA, we are keen to reinforce the success and uniqueness of the exhibition, taking into account the international status enjoyed by the exhibition as an ideal venue for global expertise in the water, energy, environment and sustainability,” he added.

Al Tayer emphasised that WETEX 2016 contributes to the implementation of the National Green Economy for Sustainable Development initiative launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, for the UAE to be one of the world's leading countries in green economy, and a centre for the export and re-export of green products and technologies.

“WETEX has succeeded in attracting international companies and institutions to Dubai. The show has become a global specialised, comprehensive and integrated exhibition while it constitutes a global platform offering significant opportunities for manufacturers, investors, organisations and commercial agents, to show the latest technologies in water, energy, environment, oil & gas and other related industries. WETEX will include a dedicated Innovation Hall for local and international universities to participate in. The hall aims to urge innovators from the UAE and the rest of the world to deliver innovative products and solutions. This hall also promotes scientific research and helps devise innovative solutions in energy, water, environment and sustainability,” added Al Tayer.

“WETEX will also include a series of workshops and competitions to discuss the challenges facing the energy sector, and find solutions to overcome these obstacles. Moreover, the exhibition will have a variety of activities to rationalise water and energy use, save the environment, manage waste, and encourage green buildings, in addition to offering the latest technology solutions to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Also, WETEX will provide opportunities for investors to build strong and distinctive business relationships, and will enhance one–on-one communications between local and regional decision-makers with specialised companies under one roof,” said Al Tayer.

Al Tayer concluded by thanking WETEX’s sponsors for their continued support to the exhibition and DEWA’s other initiatives: “Also, I thank each team member of DEWA participating in organising the show and various media members who are playing a prominent role in supporting WETEX since its inception.”

“The forthcoming Water, Energy, Environment Technology Exhibition (WETEX), provides great synergy for our pioneering project The Sustainable City, and provides an invaluable opportunity to highlight the development’s great strides towards a whole new era in sustainable living. With over 1,000 residents already living in the city, the key motivation behind Diamond Developers’ participation at the event is to highlight the holistic benefits provided by an ecologically-friendly lifestyle, with a core focus on economic, social and environmental aspects. We are confident that WETEX provides an ideal platform to demonstrate both the vision and practical facets of The Sustainable City, to a vast number of interested delegates from across the GCC and around the world,” said Faris Saeed, CEO of Diamond Developers, the developer behind The Sustainable City and Diamond Sponsor of WETEX.