Conference Initiates Technical Sessions and Workshops to Achieve Global Sustainability with Support from German Industries
A two-week initiative towards driving sustainability solutions has now begun with the opening ceremony of the Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) German-Emirati Sustainability Days Conference 2024 at Khalifa University. The fourth edition of the conference, organized by the German Emirati Joint Council for Industry and Commerce (AHK), is supported by German firms including BASF, Linde, Siemens AG, and Wilo.聽
Over the next two weeks, the conference partners will organize a series of technical sessions, panel discussions, and intensive workshops that will delve deeper into the conference theme of empowering the youth to combat climate change, facilitating discussions and hands-on learning opportunities for the YFEL members, alumni, and the broader Khalifa University community.
The opening ceremony was attended by various local, regional and international stakeholders including His Excellency Alexander Sch枚nfelder, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the UAE, who delivered the welcome message. A keynote address on 鈥楥OP28 and Tripling Renewables鈥� was presented by Dr. Ute Collier, Deputy Director, Knowledge Policy and Finance Centre, International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). A panel discussion titled 鈥楢dvancing Green Technologies for a Decarbonized Future鈥�, moderated by Karin Zangerl, Director of the AHK, Abu Dhabi Office, featured representatives from the supporting German firms.
In his welcome note, Oliver Oehms, CEO, AHK, emphasized the importance of the conference shedding light on achieving sustainable development with support from industries. Yousof Alhammadi, Senior Vice-President, Academic Affairs and Student Services, Khalifa University delivered a speech, highlighting the collective goals of the German industry and the YFEL members to achieve a net-zero future.
The day’s events concluded with closing remarks by Karin Zangerl followed by a networking session, where 2024 YFEL members shared their ideas and insights that covered key sustainability topics including ways to solve an environmental problem, their vision for a country鈥檚 energy industry, and incentives to significantly accelerate sustainable practices.
The conference will culminate in a closing ceremony moderated by YFEL alumni, providing attendees with the chance to consolidate their learnings and discuss ways to translate the conference’s insights into tangible sustainability initiatives.
The 44 members strong 2024 YFEL cohort has eight UAE Nationals and 30 international members from the US, India, China, and Saudi Arabia, from different educational backgrounds, who are, at present, enrolled in some of the well-known universities across the world. They have remained active throughout the COP28 UAE climate conference and the World Future Energy Summit 2024, showcasing several innovative projects including a case study on the Charging Infrastructure for Electric Trucks.
Alisha Roy
Science Writer
27 May 2024
