UAE CROWN PRINCE INVITES SECRETARY CHU TO WFES

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 000873 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP AND OES/EGC (THOMPSON) DOE FOR OFFICE OF AFRICAN AND MIDDLE EAST POLICY (ERICKSON) AMMAN FOR ESTH HUB (BHALLA) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ENRG SENV KGHG AE SUBJECT: UAE CROWN PRINCE INVITES SECRETARY CHU TO WFES REF: ABU DHABI 715 ¶1. (SBU) Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed (MbZ) invited Energy Secretary Dr. Steven Chu to be a keynote speaker at the third World Future Energy Summit (WFES) in Abu Dhabi January 18-21, 2010. ¶2. (SBU) On August 31, MbZ's office provided a copy of the official invitation letter (text below) for Secretary Chu. Post forwarded the scanned invitation to DOE. ¶3. (SBU) Comment: MbZ's letter followed a previous invitation from Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) CEO Dr. Sultan Al Jaber (reftel). MbZ, as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces (but in effect, the Head of Government),is responsible for the formulation of military, security and economic policy for the federation. His personal involvement in spearheading sustainable energy policy and organizing the WFES speak to the priority the UAEG places on continued USG participation. End Comment. ¶4. (SBU) Begin text of invitation letter: June 8th, 2009 Dr. Steven Chu Secretary of Energy United States of America I would like to begin by thanking you and the United States government for the support you have extended the United Arab Emirates during our successful bid to host the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). As part of our commitment to finding new clean energy solutions to the global energy requirements and in our efforts to help mitigate the effects of climate change, the UAE has held, over the past two years, The World Future Energy Summit; the premier platform for sustainable future energy solutions. As a wide-ranging and internationally recognised initiative, Masdar is developing and deploying clean energy technologies with the aim of establishing viable solutions for a sustainable future. As Abu Dhabi's vehicle in addressing the challenges of climate change and future energy security, the company has achieved great strides through its investments in clean technologies and development of renewable utilities. Alongside Masdar, The World Future Energy Summit has attracted world and industry leaders, policy makers and researchers to develop actionable responses to future energy solutions, climate change and sustainability. In that light, I am delighted to invite you to participate as a keynote speaker at our 3rd World Future Energy Summit on January 18 - 21, 2010 in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Abu Dhabi is honored to host a distinguished panel of global leaders gathered to share their knowledge and ideas with the veritable who's who concerned with the future energy and environmental challenges we face. We believe that when the greatest minds from government, academia and industry come together, seemingly overpowering challenges become feasible. We believe that the World Future Energy Summit 2010 will serve as a catalyst for the next generation of sustainable energy solutions. I trust you will join us this January to continue in our journey of turning challenges into opportunities. Sincerely, Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan End text. OLSON