The World Green Economy Organisation (WGEO) launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai in October 2016 and supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP),launched three new platforms – Youth, Academia and Organisations & Civil Society Platform.

These platforms were launched in conjunction with a two day international workshop for Solar Decathlon Middle East (SDME), created through an agreement between the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and the United States Department of Energy in Hyatt Regency, Dubai Creek.

“Just seven months after the global launch of the World Green Economy Organisation (WGEO), the global initiative launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai in October 2016 and supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), We are launching today 3 new platforms of WGEO: Youth, Academia and Organisations & Civil Society platforms.,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman of the World Green Economy Organisation (WGEO).

“Launching these new platforms comes as part of WGEO’s efforts to start productive partnerships, promote more discussion, and exchange experiences between Youth and Organisations & Civil Society. The World Green Economy Organisation is founded on seven platforms, namely, Countries, Sustainable Cities Sector, Private Sector, Academia Sector, Organisations & Civil Society, Youth Sector and Financial Sector,” added HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer.

“Last February, HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, has launched the Private Sector platform, the first platform of WGEO. After the launch of these three new platforms, in less than 7 months, WGEO is going a long way in achieving its goals in supporting the environmental sustainable development culture, and facing the climate challenges that threaten our planet,” continued HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer.

“UAE joined WGEO as its first member during the 22nd session of COP22 in Marrakesh, Morocco in November 2016, which reflects the tireless efforts of the country to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (Agenda 2030), and Paris Climate Agreement,” added Al Tayer.

“Launching this new suite of platforms not only reflects our diligent efforts to support a green economy, but reinforces WGEO’s pioneering position in ensuring a sustainable future for all. In today’s time, the youth are the most effective segment of society when it comes to raising awareness and communicating with the rest of society. As young people constitute a large part of the world’s population, they are also the back bone of countries and can change the future of the society by engaging in environmental protection initiatives. Similarly, academia which comprise of universities, schools, colleges and research centres among many others play an active role in environmental and conservation efforts to preserve environment. While the organisations and civil societies play vital role in adopting strategic solutions to achieve sustainability and to combat climate change,” added HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer.

“We are confident that the launch of these three platforms will advance policies and actions through creating a significant impact to accelerate pace towards green economy. This will be achieved via knowledge and experience development, cooperation enhancement among various stakeholders in charge of developing strategies and by putting policies in place to reach sustainable future. We firmly believe that WGEO will build on the achievements realised in the past few months as well as we will accelerate collaboration with all parties involved to achieve our goals of creating global partnerships to ensure happy and sustainable future for generations to come,” concluded HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer.

Mr. Paolo Lembo, Project Director of the World Green Economy Organisation, delivered a speech about WGEO’s mission and the objectives of the newly launched three platforms.

At the end of the launch, representatives of the newly launched platforms were invited on stage to demonstrate their commitment and pledge their support to carry the responsibility, on both a local and global level, to achieve sustainability and to combat climate change.