The fifth World Future Energy Summit (WFES) 2012 opened in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), on 16 January 2012. Running from January 16-19, the summit is the leading international event for government and industry decision makers committed to finding viable, sustainable solutions to the world’s increasing energy challenges. The WFES 2012 explores the role of innovation in fostering the adoption and deployment of renewable energy and the importance of maintaining and improving energy efficiency.
The WFES program includes roundtable discussions, an exhibition hall, and numerous other side events and activities.
The first day of this four-day event was organized around the theme “Policy and Strategy Forum”. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, the CEO of Masdar, in the opening ceremony highlighted the enormous advancements the renewables sector has made in recent years: «Over the last decade-he said to delegates-, the renewable energy sector has grown immensely: the production capacity for wind has increased by a factor of 10 to reach 200 gigawatts, while solar has increased by a factor of 30, to reach almost 35 gigawatts. Production and technology advances have led to a sharp decrease in the cost of production, and the market value of the renewable sector has grown increased from one billion dollars to 211 billion dollars». He pointed out that despite cuts due to the global financial crisis, the renewable sector and green economy remain important contributors to economic development and growth.
He stressed the importance of regulatory frameworks to improve the efficiency of renewable energy technologies and reduce their costs, adding that renewable energy makes strategic sense.
The Chinese Premier, Wen Jiabao, illustrated China’s efforts to drive sustainable economic development, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption, promote clean and efficient energy facilities, advocate low-carbon lifestyles. He described the steps his own country is taking to address energy challenges, such investing in wind, solar and hydroelectric power and increasing energy efficiencies in its traditional industries.
South Korea’s Prime Minister, Kim Hwan-sik highlighted the urgency of active cooperation between developing and developed countries in expanding renewable energy resources: «To distribute renewable energy to the world, active financial support and technology transfers from industrialized countries to their developing counterparts are required», he said.
Nassir Abdulaziz Al Nasser, President of the UN General Assembly, underlined the importance of WFES 2012 in finding solutions to global energy issues. He states in particular that providing low-cost energy is an effective tool to struggle against poverty, increase welfare, improve quality of life, and accomplish sustainable development; he identified Rio+20 as an occasion to promote the use of clean and renewable energy to create a more peaceful and sustainable world.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon stressed one more time the need to end energy scarcity to ensure equal opportunities, describing the Rio+20 as the first step to achieve sustainable energy for all.«Widespread energy poverty still condemns millions to darkness-he said-, to missed opportunities for education and health».

The major topics that will be addressed during the four day WFES 2012 will be about technology as the enabler for a clean energy future; promoting sustainable energy growth and financing sustainable energy for all; transforming cities in more sustainable communities; energy and rural development; wind and gas opportunities in a low carbon economy; sustainable transportation; energy efficiency; bioenergy; innovating the future energy mix; innovating in future energy financing; solar technology; carbon capture and storage; nuclear energy and its role in a sustainable energy future; digital energy; international regulations and trade (global networks), energy storage, future energy and future strategies.