The second session of the 'Dubai Global Energy Forum' will kick off tomorrow (April 15) and run for the next two days under the theme ‘Clean Energy for Sustainable Development’ at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Being organized by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, the event will cover a number of key tracks and topics that focus on sustainable development.

The opening ceremony will be held in the presence of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the chairman of the Supreme Council, Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, the vice chairman of the Supreme Council and other senior government officials.

The Day Two of the forum sees talks on policies, regulations and clean energy sources, with industry leaders highlighting the need for policy controls that support the use of clean energy and sustainable green technologies.

Also up for discussion tomorrow is the role of governments in creating supportive regulatory frameworks to encourage private investment in the sector, and how to integrate financing mechanisms for green projects.

Speakers will debate methods of financing through the creation of a special fund to support clean energy, how to integrate renewables into the energy supply chain, and the factors affecting the diversification of fuel sources, said the organisers.

"Day Two will also see experts exchanging views on demand management of energy supply and how to increase energy efficiency, and on global developments in clean energy and how they will impact on the sector in the future. Techniques for reducing pollution and carbon dioxide emissions will be discussed, alongside encouraging the rational use of water, electricity and transportation fuel."

There will be a focus on developments and technological upgrades in the renewable energy sector, as well as the regulatory framework and incentives needed to encourage energy efficiency.

The third and final day of the Forum will see the debate centred on urban planning, climate change policies and green cities, with experts discussing greenhouse gas emissions, carbon management, carbon capture and storage and integrated physical planning, with an additional focus on education, community awareness and capacity building, the organisers added.

According to them, Dubai is placing great importance in implementing major sustainable development initiatives as an essential step in the emirate’s desire to help lead the global drive for clean energy.

Dubai last year hosted the World Energy Forum, which was held for the first time outside the United Nations headquarters in New York, under the theme ‘A Forum for World Leaders.’

The conference discussed the need to ensure a safe and sustainable energy supply for the entire world population, in order to power the drivers of continued socio-economic growth.

With energy supply an essential requirement for growth and progress, the forum concluded with the signing of the Dubai Declaration of Energy for All, which affirmed the commitment of world leaders and key decision makers to the cause of sustainable energy. It was also declared that 22 October will be the annual World Energy Day.

The objectives of the Forum are aligned with the recommendations of the Rio+20 United Nations Conference, held under the theme ‘The Future We Want,’ which drew a roadmap for sustainable development at the international level based on the principles of a Green Economy.

The inaugural forum was held in 2011 under the theme ‘Energy Challenges and Opportunities for a Sustainable Future,’ and included keynote speeches from Dr Mohamed El Baradei, former director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005 and Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, the former Indian President.-TradeArabia News Service