The United Arab Emirates has announced the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), which will be held on Jan.13-17, 2013 at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, Rio+20 here.

"Through the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, we are providing numerous platforms of dialogue that will address sustainable development. ADSW will be held in continuation of the commendable efforts of the Brazilian government at Rio+20 and in response to the UN Secretary-General’s call for significant commitments to action in support of his International Year of Sustainable Energy for All," said Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Assistant Minister and UAE Special Envoy of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Climate Change and Chief Executive Officer of Masdar.

The announcement of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week made by Dr. Al Jaber took place at a reception honoring UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in recognition of his Sustainable Energy for All initiative.

Al Jaber said "now is the time to address real-world challenges by adopting clear and focused practical measures for developing practical national energy strategies and implementing sustainable development. We are determined to achieve tangible results through our discussions today at the Earth Summit, at COP-18 later this year which is being held in the Middle East for the first time, and through Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week in January, 2013." "The legacy of sustainability which lies deep within the UAE’s heritage was instilled in us by our founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who recognized the need to protect our environment and preserve our natural resources for future generations," he added.

Ban Ki-Moon emphasized how energy is the golden threat to advancing the sustainable development agenda.

"Masdar’s commitments and support for Sustainable Energy for All are an example of its ongoing leadership on clean energy," he said.

Thousands of participants from governments, the private sector, NGOs and other stakeholders will gather in Abu Dhabi next year during ADSW. The events which will be held during ADSW include: the Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA); the World Future Energy Summit (WFES); the International Renewable Energy Conference in Abu Dhabi (ADIREC); the International Water Summit (IWS); and the Awards Ceremony for the Zayed Future Energy Prize.

Following the launch of the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All announced by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon during WFES in January this year, the UAE has made significant commitments to meet global energy demands by providing assistance to developing countries, such as Tonga and Afghanistan to meet their energy needs from renewable energy sources.