Dubai, UAE; January 28, 2016: With the countdown to the inaugural Emirates Energy Efficiency Summit well underway, founding partners GE (NYSE: GE) and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation have announced details of the speaker program.

After a year of continued global energy crises and with renewed volatility in the crude oil market, the event will provide valuable insights into the key energy challenges the world faces in 2016. The invitation-only event, which takes place from February 3-4 at the American University in Dubai, will host an informative program of roundtable discussions and expert presentations.

Among the prestigious speakers are Dr. Mohamed Ahmed Bin Fahad and Dr. Meshgan Al Awar, Chairman and Secretary General, respectively, of Zayed International Foundation for the Environment, who will be sharing their significant insights.

Also taking to the stage will be Abdulla Alshahyari, Acting Director of the Conservation and Efficiency Department at the UAE Ministry of Energy. With the UAE looking to lead the Middle East's energy efficient movement Mr Alshahyari will share case studies and examples of best practice, drawing from the ministry's vast experience. Attendees will learn how the country is diversifying its economy towards a future that looks increasingly likely to lie in renewable energy.

Some other key names already confirmed include: Meredith Carson, Head of Content and Experiences at Omnicom Media Group; Saeed Al Abbar, chairman of the Emirates Green Building Council; Dr Atif Debs, President of DSI Power; Dr Carlos Santamarina, Professor of Earth Science and Engineering, and Iain Campbell, Managing Director of the Rocky Mountain Institute - plus many others soon to be announced.

Working under the overarching theme of 'Energy Efficiency in the UAE: an opportunity for sustained growth and global leadership', the speakers will be sharing their understanding of the main components needed for successful engagement - with the content organized into three broad streams.

The 'Informed' section will consider how to educate and inspire future generations, with a focus on the role of social media in spreading important energy efficiency messages. There will be an emphasis on the increasingly important role technology plays in reducing inefficient energy use. The section will touch upon recent findings by the 'Masdar Group', based in Abu Dhabi, who have identified that sand could play a key role in concentrated solar power and the ramifications this could have for the region.

The 'Motivated' content stream will look at the key drivers for behavioral change and the need to tailor communications to encourage consumers and businesses to invest in energy efficiency. This is a particular salient point of discussion for the region after the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) opened avenues for private firms to invest in the state's renewable energy market, amid budget constraints.

Finally, the 'Accountable' section will consider incentives versus legislation and the effect on the wider society. With the UAE Government's recent decision to abolish water and electric subsidies, in a bid to curb energy usage, speakers will debate whether the legislation will have its desired impact and consider what role measurability - from metering to labelling has on dictating energy use. 

Erdem Soyal, Project Sales General Manager for GE Middle East, Africa and Turkey (MEAT), commented: "The overall objective of the EEES is to foster enhanced communication, while educating participants about key energy efficiency issues and provoking a two-way dialogue.  As such, we are keen to bring together a heavyweight program of speakers that can add real value for participants - and will ultimately drive tangible action."

For more information and to register interest in attending the event, please visit www.gelighting.com/LightingWeb/emea/news-and-media/events/eees-2016/index.jsp

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Join the conversation at our GE Hewar blog: http://middleeast.geblogs.com/

About GE:
GE (NYSE: GE) is the world's Digital Industrial Company, transforming industry with software-defined machines and solutions that are connected, responsive and predictive. GE is organized around a global exchange of knowledge, the "GE Store," through which each business shares and accesses the same technology, markets, structure and intellect. Each invention further fuels innovation and application across our industrial sectors. With people, services, technology and scale, GE delivers better outcomes for customers by speaking the language of industry. www.ge.com

About the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation:
In June 2006, HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco decided to set up his Foundation in order to address the alarming threats hanging over our planet's environment. The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation works for the protection of the environment and the promotion of sustainable development. The Foundation supports projects in three main geographical regions: the Mediterranean Basin, the Polar Regions and the Least Developed Countries. The Foundation's efforts focus on three main sectors: Climate change and renewable energies, biodiversity, and integrated and sustainable water management together with the fight against desertification. To find out more: www.fpa2.com / www.facebook.com/FondationPrinceAlbertIIdeMonaco  

For more information, please contact:
Caroline Wehbeh
GE Communications Leader, North Africa
+9714 4296318
caroline.wehbeh@ge.com
              
Kelly Home/Nivine William
ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller 
+9714 4507 600
kelly.home@bm.com / nivine.william@bm.com

Gerry Cherry
CIB Communications
Riversway
Leatherhead Bridge
Guildford Road
Leatherhead
Surrey
KT22 9AD
Tel: 01372 371800
Fax: 01372 371801
pradmin@cibcomms.co.uk

© Press Release 2016