EXPO2017Astana

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EXPO 2017 ASTANA

Executive Summary

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Content • Executive Summary

• NMC Role

• Future Energy

• Renewable Energy and

Sustainability in the UAE

• The UAE Pavilion and its key

features

• Key Messages

• Key Dates

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Executive Summary

The UAE is participating in Expo 2017 Astana, which is being held in the Kazakh

capital between June 10 and September 10 under the theme “Future Energy”.

Kazakhstan is the fourth Asian country to have the honour of organising such an

event after Japan, South Korea and China.

According to preliminary estimates, the exhibition is expected to receive more than

five million visitors (50,000 visitors per day) from 100 countries and 10 international

organisations. The exhibition will cover an area of 113 hectares, of which 25 hectares

will be for 93 showrooms.

The theme “Future Energy” comes in line with the UAE’s pioneering position as key

investor in renewable energy, with green solutions forming an integral part of the

world economy and a key cornerstone of the comprehensive energy strategy, which

has been established by the UAE’s leadership with the aim of diversifying resources

and energy sources to build a strong sustainable knowledge-based economy. The

participation of the UAE is also key in Expo 2017 Astana as it paves the way for the

country’s hosting of Expo 2020 Dubai in around three years.

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The Role of the National Media Council in

Expo 2017 Astana • The National Media Council is responsible for all aspects of the UAE’s participation

in Expo 2017 Astana, which includes handling logistics, organisational tasks,

coordination between various parties and construction of the UAE pavilion.

• Since 2007, the National Media Council has contributed to the success of the

UAE’s participation in key global expos, gaining it many international accolades and

industry recognitions, such as during Expo 2008 Zargoza, Expo 2010 Shanghai,

Expo 2012 Yeosu and Expo 2015 Milan.

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Expo 2017 Astana Theme:

Future Energy

• Expo 2017 Astana will explore best practices to improve people’s lives around

the world through clean energy by shedding light on its key trends and best

practices, in addition to identifying the challenges and energy needs of

countries, while exploring future solutions related to sustainable green energy

sources and proposing green solutions that improve the economy of these

countries in the coming decades.

• As the importance of green solutions increases in light of scarce resources

around the world, the UAE pavilion at Expo 2017 Astana will host a variety of

features and activities that explore how the UAE is joining global efforts to

address climate change by investing in sustainable technologies and acting to

reduce its own carbon footprint, while shedding light on some global initiatives

in the energy sector that achieve sustainable development, as well as projects

that seek to ensure prosperity for the people of the UAE.

• The pavilion alludes to the competencies of the UAE’s human resources – the

country’s most important asset – and reflects the integration between the

human and technical elements to improve lives, not only in the UAE, but also in

the region and around the world.

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Background on Renewable Energy &

Sustainability in the UAE

• Since its establishment, the UAE has adopted a steady path of socio-economic

prosperity from urban development to infrastructure, employing the latest and

most innovative technologies in its quest to develop a balanced society that

combines social prosperity, economic development and preservation of the

environment in line with global best practices.

• A comprehensive plan was developed in order to diversify the economy by

reinvesting a part of the UAE’s revenues in sustainable development areas in

order to transform it to a knowledge-based and human-capital-driven

economy. This led to a gradual decline in the country’s reliance on oil as the

main source of economic activity, and, in turn, to an increase in the contribution

of non-oil sectors to the country’s GDP.

• The UAE has taken important practical steps to address energy, which is one of

the most important pillars of development in the global economy, particularly

in light of increased international interest in sustainable development,

environmental protection and climate change.

• The UAE is committed to using sustainable energy for all its development

projects, which helps preserve its natural resources (oil and gas) to ensure

resource continuity in the future. This creates an economic environment where

energy is an asset not a burden.

• In order to present solutions that guarantee the required energy for continued

socio-economic growth, the UAE – despite being an oil-producing nation has

focused on a diverse balance of energy sources that include traditional sources

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(hydrocarbon), peaceful and safe nuclear energy sources, and a broad range of

renewable energy options.

• This combination of renewable energy sources has enabled the UAE to secure

sufficient supplies of traditional fuel for export while maintaining a strong

position in international energy markets and boosting its economic growth.

• The UAE reconsidered its use of traditional energy over the years to ensure the

highest levels of consumer efficiency while utilising the lowest level of

resources. For example, clean advanced technology supports oil production

methodologies, distribution and usage.

• The UAE’s projects in sustainable green energy are among the largest solar

projects in the world and are being implemented by a number of national

companies and entities.

• Masdar is the regional leader and a major international player in renewable

energy and sustainable urban development. Its portfolio of clean energy

projects, including wind, solar PV and concentrated solar power (CSP), have a

total generating capacity of more than 2.7 gigawatts in the UAE and around the

world.

• In addition, Dubai announced DEWA’s plans to develop the largest single-site

solar park in the world, with a total planned capacity of 5,000 megawatts

(MW), when completed in 2030. The first phase of the complex was operating

at 13 MW capacity in October 2013, while phase 2 reached a capacity of 200

MW in 2017. Once completed, the complex will cut carbon emissions by more

than 6.5 million tonnes annually.

• The UAE green projects aim to meet the renewable energy needs country and

is considered a center for technology development and scientific research in

areas such as solar and wind power.

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International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

The UAE is the permanent host of the International Renewable Energy Agency

(IRENA), mandated by more than 170 countries to serve as the primary platform for

cooperation and data analysis on renewable energy technology development,

financing, policy, and capacity-building.

UAE as a Global Partner in

Addressing Climate Change

• The UAE has an impressive track record of partnering up with other countries – as

well as the private sector – to prepare manufacturing and the overall economy for

growth under carbon constraints.

• The UAE led the region in deploying clean energy, with pioneering projects and

policies in renewable and nuclear energy, energy and water efficiency, and carbon

sequestration.

• The UAE is deploying energy-saving infrastructure, from green buildings so vital in

our hot climate, to Dubai’s world-class light rail system.

• The UAE supports the development of new technologies that can address the

energy-water nexus, such as solar-powered desalination.

• The UAE invests in human capital for future industries, with world-class

innovation centres such as the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology,

developed in partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

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• The UAE has emerged as a constructive voice in the international climate

change negotiations, reflecting its position as a hydrocarbon exporter with a

rapidly expanding low-carbon portfolio.

Ministry of Climate Change & Environment

Throughout the history of the UAE, the environment has been a priority concern with

strong institutional mechanisms to enhance environmental protection - starting with

the foundation of the Supreme Committee for Environment in 1975, the Federal

Authority for Environment in 1993, and the Ministry of Environment and Water in

2006. These developments reflect the increasing concern placed on environmental

issues, at both the local and global levels, and the importance of addressing these

concerns through the development of appropriate policies and regulations.

In 2016, the UAE leadership expanded the role of the Ministry of Environment and

Water, to manage all aspects related to international and domestic climate change

affairs. The establishment of the newly named Ministry of Climate Change and

Environment is an important milestone. It enhances the UAE’s efforts to addressing

the issue of climate change, through the implementation of comprehensive policies

and initiatives to mitigate and adapt to climate change and protect our unique

environmental systems.

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Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week,

World Future Energy Summit

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week has become a January fixture for the global clean

energy and sustainability community. Each year, the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week

convenes some 30,000 participants from over 150 countries to present the latest on

products, services, policies, business models, and financing instruments to deploy

low-carbon energy and water. Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week is anchored by the

World Future Energy Summit, one of the industry’s premier tradeshows, and features

the International Water Summit, the award ceremony of the Zayed Future Energy

Prize, the General Assembly of IRENA, and a long roster of conferences, ministerials,

and side events.

Zayed Future Energy Prize

• One of the most prestigious and richest recognitions for innovation in clean

energy, the Zayed Future Energy Prizes awards $4 million annually in January

during the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. Recipient categories include NGOs,

SMEs, large corporations, lifetime achievement, and high schools from five

different world regions.

• Announced in 2014 as part of the UAE’s ambition to become a knowledge-based

economy with a strong focus on technology, R&D and innovation, His Highness

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of

the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced the launch of a USD 1 million global award

to find sustainable solutions to water scarcity across the world.

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• The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award aims to support this

goal, encouraging leading corporations, research centres, institutions and

innovators from across the world to compete to find sustainable and innovative

solar-energy solutions to the problem of water scarcity.

Domestic Renewable Energy

• The UAE has set the region’s first renewable energy target – 2,500 MW –

when there was widespread doubt about its viability and value. Since then, the

country’s deployment of renewable energy has had a significant normalising

effect for the technology – now supported by a compelling financial case.

Masdar Institute research indicates that renewable energy is the cheapest

source of incremental power supply in the Gulf when compared to oil, liquefied

natural gas (LNG), and nuclear options.

Shams 1

• The 100 MW Shams energy project in Abu Dhabi Using concentrated solar

power, the $600 million plant displaces about 175,000 tonnes of carbon

dioxide per year, which is equivalent to planting 1.5 million trees or removing

15,000 cars from Abu Dhabi’s roads.

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Waste-to-energy Waste-to-energy is a three-birds-one-stone solution to urgent disposal challenges,

carbon emissions, and supply of affordable energy. Bee’ah and Masdar established

the Emirates Waste to Energy Company (EWEC), a joint venture to develop waste-to-

energy plants across the region, in May 2017. EWEC’s first project will be a multi-fuel

waste-to-energy facility in Sharjah.

Domestic Renewable Energy

BIOjet

Etihad Airways, Boeing, Takreer (ADNOC’s refining arm), Total, and the Masdar

Institute of Science and Technology have joined forces to develop a framework for a

sustainable aviation biofuel industry in the UAE. The UAE has one of the fastest-

growing – and most carbon-efficient – airline fleets in the world, and recognises that

biofuel is one of the most transformative options to make significant cuts in the

industry’s carbon footprint. One of the potential sources of feedstock for conversion

into biofuel is a saltwater-tolerant plant, and a small-scale pilot facility is currently

being developed at Masdar City.

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Renewables-powered desalination

De-linking desalination from greenhouse gas emissions is an urgent need, especially

in the Gulf. Masdar is leading a pioneering programme to use solar power for

desalination, awarding contracts to build and run 5 pilot plants.

Shams Dubai Solar Rooftop Scheme

Shams Dubai encourages distributed renewable energy generation through solar

panels on buildings. As part of Dubai’s smart city developments and the wider energy

mix diversification. This initiative encourages households and building owners to

install PV panels to generate electricity and connect them to the grid.

Low-Carbon Energy and Energy Efficiency

• A central player in the global hydrocarbon economy, the UAE has

simultaneously emerged as one of the world’s leading investors in low-carbon

energy, with pioneering projects and policies in renewable and nuclear energy,

as well as energy efficiency and carbon sequestration – both abroad and

domestically.

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Key messages

• The National Media Council (NMC) is responsible for handling all aspects of the

UAE’s participation in Expo 2017 Astana as part of its role to represent the country

in all international events. This includes all organizational, logistical, planning and

coordination aspects, in addition to the actual construction and supervision of the

Pavilion.

• Through Expo 2017 Astana, the National Media Council (NMC) continues to

effectively highlight the UAE’s national achievements across a multitude of areas

and fields

• Expo 2017 Astana is an ideal platform to highlight the UAE’s pioneering projects

and initiatives across various fields, and in renewable energy in particular

• The theme “Future Energy” is in line with the UAE’s strategy in regards to

achieving energy security by creating a diverse balance of energy sources that

include traditional sources (hydrocarbon), peaceful nuclear energy and a broad

range of renewable energy

• The UAE pavilion’s features and content reflect the country’s strategy for

diversifying energy resources and how human energy and capacity development is

the true investment of the UAE

• Emirati youth have a prominent role in operating the UAE Pavilion and they have

actively come forward to participate as volunteers to assist with highlighting the

country achievements, and we would like to extend our thanks and appreciation to

them and to the Emirates Foundation.

• The UAE Pavilion is the largest at the Expo with the capacity of 390 and 7000

visitors per day.

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• The UAE’s participation at Expo 2017 Astana holds greater significance for the

UAE; it signals the beginning of the countdown to the highly anticipated Expo

2020 Dubai. As the first expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia,

the 2020 event is a source of pride for all Emiratis and expats residing in the UAE

The UAE Pavilion

The pavilion’s design is inspired by the vision of His Highness the late Sheikh Zayed

bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Founding Father of the UAE, which was equally a source of

inspiration for the development of the entire energy sector in the country. The pavilion

also reflects the UAE’s messages of openness and willingness to cooperate with

other countries on renewable energy projects.

Guests enter an intriguing, canyon-like interior inspired by the dunes of the Emirati

Liwa desert. Visitors see the Abu Dhabi skyline behind a quote from HH Sheikh Zayed

bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Founding Father of the UAE:

“No matter how many buildings, foundations, schools and hospitals we build,

or how many bridges we raise, all these are material entities. The real spirit behind

the progress is the human spirit, the able man with his intellect and capabilities.”

Visitors to the Pavilion pass through a “canyon" with tessellated walls that are

activated by a large-scale projection. This projection features six video portraits that

demonstrate the scale of the UAE’s ambitious energy plans through the eye of its

most valuable energy resource: its people.

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Bridging the generations, visitors explore the past, present, and future of the UAE's

energy and sustainability sectors through a 270-degree wrap-around film. Emphasis

is placed on the sustainability legacy and environmental stewardship of the UAE, as

well as on the continuous energy leadership of the country through innovation and

advanced technologies.

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Solar Power Park is considered the largest single-site

solar park in the world, with a total planned capacity of 5,000 megawatts (MW), when

completed in 2030.

At the UAE pavilion, a simple physical/digital interactive invites engagement. By

covering a light sensor for up to six seconds, guests simulate how the Mohammed bin

Rashid al Maktoum Solar Park transforms the sun's energy into clean power for

familiar household appliances. As each second passes, a new cluster of tessellations

lights up. A clock shows how much electricity is generated per second.

Masdar is a regional and international leader in renewable energy and sustainable

urban development. Its portfolio of clean energy projects, including wind, solar PV

and concentrated solar power (CSP), have a total generating capacity of more than 2.7

gigawatts in the UAE and around the world. Its total investments are valued at 8.5 $

billion across the Middle East, North Africa and Western Europe. The Emirates

Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) was set up to provide the UAE with a new source

of energy by generating up to 25% of the country’s electricity needs, in addition to

reducing the carbon footprint by nearly 12 million tonnes annually.

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Other special features

• A virtual host welcomes and guides the visitors through the experience

• Six content-based “movements” allow for a self-guided but evenly

paced experience

• The pavilion will be illuminated by “live hosts” – virtual hosts will help

move visitors through the spaces.

• The primary languages for print are Russian and English.

• A VIP entry & meeting space will be contained on the level above the

main guest experience

• Targeted dwell time for visitors is around 20minutes

The UAE pavilion will provide an experience that:

• Immerses visitors in an inviting space that evokes the UAE as a nation

• Uses the visitor’s own physical presence to trigger and interact with

information

• Shows the “human face” of the UAE’s energy sector, with emphasis on

interpersonal connection and collaboration

• Moves through a fast-paced media programme

• Asks visitors to see themselves as part of the energy solution

• Has departing guests wanting to learn more – and builds exctiment and

interest in Expo 2020 Dubai.

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History of the UAE’s Participation in World Expos • The UAE has been participating in the International Expo since 1990, and has left a

distinctive mark in all the Expos it has participated in. The UAE pavilion was named

the 10th best pavilion at Expo 2000 in Hanover .

• At Expo 2008 Zaragoza International, the UAE pavilion won a gold medal, while at

the Shanghai International Expo in 2010, it was voted most popular pavilion by

visitors. In an academic study conducted by researchers from the University of

California - Los Angeles (UCLA), the UAE pavilion came out on top in terms of

general diplomatic standards. It also won a silver medal at the World Expo 2012 in

Yeosu, South Korea.

• In 2015, the National Media Council (NMC) formed a team of highly experienced

professionals to create the UAE pavilion at the Milan International Expo, which

carried the theme “Feeding the Planet: Energy for Life”. The design of the pavilion

was inspired by the traditional landscape and architecture of the UAE. The pavilion

attracted approximately 1.2 million visitors to the Milan Expo 2015 – an average

of 7,000 visitors a day.

Key Dates Saturday, June 10, 2017

Official opening of Expo 2017 Astana with the attendance of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin

Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Higher Committee of Expo 2020 Dubai

Wednesday, September 6, 2017

The symbolic ‘National Day’ of the UAE at Expo 2017 Astana.

Sunday, September 10, 2017

The closing ceremony and handover of the world expo to Expo 2020 Dubai