Dreamer Dialogues is a special series launched by the UAE Pavilion, bringing together visionary leaders and thought experts to discuss global topics that are relevant to ensuring a better future in the region, such as the environment and climate change, food and water security, youth and creativity. Throughout the previous sessions, the series celebrated those inspiring people who pursued their dreams here in the UAE, providing a platform for them to share their stories.

With the closing of Expo 2020 Dubai, the series concludes by exploring a more sustainable near future for the UAE. The conversation looks at different
facets of the future including how to live more responsibly, how to engage with the environment, and how to build and approach urban planning.

The talk begins with a keynote address by Ahmed al Khatib, Chief Development and Delivery Officer at Expo 2020 Dubai, followed by discussions around four facets of the UAE's near future; namely Food, Transit, Energy, and How We Build. The list of high-level panelists leading these discussions include Patrick Jarjour, Dr. Monica Menendez, Dr. Nicolas Calvet, and Wael Al Awar, respectively. The session is moderated by Kelsey Warner, Future Editor at The National.

Future Cities: Reflecting, Dreaming and Looking Ahead

Dreamer Dialogues: Future Cities

Curated by the UAE Pavilion, this last Dreamer Dialogues session explores a more sustainable near future for the UAE through responsible living, engaging with the environment, and urban planning.

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EXHIBITOR Magazine Announces World Expo Award Winners

EXHIBITOR Magazine's World Expo Awards

Inside Expo_New

The Powerhouse Pavilions

UAE 1

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Witness sustainability in action as the pavilion's 28 wings open to reveal solar (photovoltaic) panels.

UAE 3

The UAE Pavilion's breathtaking oculus takes the form of the Expo 2020 logo.

UAE 4

UAE Image Gallery

Open-heartedness and ambition are values captured by the UAE Pavilion, designed by renowned architect Santiago Calatrava. The remarkable building is reminiscent of a falcon in flight, inspired by our national bird. Once inside, go on a multisensory journey that chronicles the rise of a nation of “dreamers who do”. Traverse a dreamlike landscape filled with dunes of real sand to learn about our nation’s founding father Sheikh Zayed, the natural wonders of the Emirates and their rapid modernisation. Be inspired by stories of the UAE dreamers building an inclusive future as the desert sun filters through the pavilion’s oculus. 

The design of the UAE Pavilion evokes a falcon in flight; referencing the Emirates’ traditional art of falconry. The main building resembles a titanic oval, with a grand, four storey entrance set into the tip. More than 25 feather-like panels are arranged at the dome of the pavilion, each curving down toward the entry of the structure. 

UAE 2

and powerful

Graceful

UAE Pavilion

Ahmed al Khatib

Prof. Monica Menendez

Dr. Nicolas Calvet

Patrick Jarjour

Wael Al Awar

UAE Pavilion's Dreamer Dialogues | Future Cities: Reflecting, Dreaming and Looking Ahead

A business event which aims to give an overview of the investment opportunities in the renewable energy sector and processes to be followed by potential investors in Namibia. The summit will focus on key outcomes and case studies of Namibia's journey towards becoming a Green economy by 2030.

Renewable Energy Summit

Namibia Renewable Energy Summit

A business event which aims to give an overview of the investment opportunities in the renewable energy sector in Namibia.

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Namibia Image Gallery

Fresh thinking is everywhere in Namibia, from its commitment to renewable energy to its ocean plan to mine for marine gems with the world’s first custom-built diamond-searching ship. At the Namibia Pavilion, you can explore these innovations and marvel at the sunny African nation's natural beauty – including looks at the windswept peaks of the world’s tallest sand dunes and the watering holes where the globe’s largest numbers of cheetahs and white rhinos still gather. Everywhere you turn, the warmth of Namibia shines forth.


Namibia

Namibia 2

Namibia Pavilion

Namibia: Renewable Energy Summit

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are among the most vulnerable countries to the effects of climate change and yet are often dependent on imported fossil fuels for their energy needs. While renewable energy production is becoming more affordable and competitive each year and resources like wind, water and sunlight are abundant in SIDS, there are still many barriers that hamper the transition to clean energy, one of which is the lack of access to finance. 

Co-curated by ADFD, IRENA, and Masdar, the event will celebrate SIDS for making firm climate commitments as well as funders, including the UAE, for the many initiatives that have supported the clean energy transition in SIDS. Simultaneously, it will facilitate pivotal conversations on cross-sector collaboration when it comes to the clean energy transition in SIDS, with a special focus on project financing and engagement between investors and implementers.

In addition to SIDS representatives, who will be given the center stage, the event will bring together key stakeholders who have championed the clean energy transition by developing renewable energy solutions in SIDS. This includes representatives from key organisations including AOSIS, IRENA, ADFD, MASDAR and GCF.


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This event will be a moment of recognition for the clean energy transition efforts in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) so far and a catalyst for action when it comes to project financing. 

CB - Reaching the Last Mile-SIDS 3.Oct.21

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Deep dive by high-level speakers into the renewable energy transition in SIDS.

Showcase of best practice renewable energy projects in SIDS and discussion around successful mechanisms of renewable energy project financing.

Discussion around SIDS’ perspectives and asks for COP 26 in Glasgow, UK.

H E Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi (C) during the Transforming Energy in Small Island States Talks at Nexus Web Image m2408

Aminath Shauna during the Transforming Energy in Small Island States Talks at Nexus Web Image m2407

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Climate and Biodiversity Week to spur the world into action to protect our planet

We stand at the brink of a crucial moment in time - a moment in which we must take decisive collective action to protect our planet, and the life it sustains, for future generations. It is an opportunity for us to take our place in history as the generation that stepped up to halt climate change, and transform human activity to operate within Earth's planetary boundaries. 

Expo 2020 Dubai's Climate & Biodiversity Week convenes government decision-makers, business leaders, youth advocates and our millions of visitors to address the greatest challenge of our time and generate solutions critical to the future of our civilisation and the health of our planet. 

What's your Promise to our Planet?

Climate and Biodiversity

How do we work together to better manage climate change and protect biodiversity? 

Climate & Biodiversity Week Programme

Insight Report from Climate and Biodiversity Week

Natural Resource and Biodiversity Conservation

Climate & Biodiversity Week

Ahmed Alturbak is a Saudi economist who started his professional career as an Economist for the Supreme Economic Council of Saudi Arabia, advising the Council on macroeconomic issues and cross-cutting Government policies. Mr. Alturbak also worked for a number of global management consulting firms, before transitioning to the World Bank Group, where he spent nearly 3 years working at the Bank’s HQ in Washington DC, focusing on the Bank’s portfolio with Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE and Oman. He contributed to projects from governments national development strategies to policy papers and reports relating to FDI and private sector growth policies, economic diversification, labor market, and others. In 2019, Ahmed joined Abu Dhabi Fund for Development as a chief economist for the operations department, where he serves to date. 

2. HE Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem

Chief Economist, Abu Dhabi Fund for Development


Ahmed Abdulaziz Alturbak	

Andreia Carreiro holds a PhD in Sustainable Energy Systems (MIT Portugal), Master’s Degree in Energy for Sustainability and in Biomedical Engineering, both carried at the University of Coimbra, and is a Certified Measurement and Verification Professional and current MBA candidate. Being a Program and Project Manager, she holds experience on international project based upon R&D, technology and solutions applied to the sustainable development paradigms. She is an Innovation and Strategy enthusiastic, promoting cooperation between public and private sectors. She is the former Regional Director for Energy at Azores Government and Energy Advisor to the Deputy Minister and Secretary of State for Energy at Government of Portugal. 

Ms. Andreia Carreiro

Advisor to the Deputy Minister and Secretary of State for Energy, Portugal


Andreia Carreiro

Pandian oversees all sovereign and nonsovereign lending in South Asia, the Pacific Islands and South East Asia. He is also responsible for the end-to-end management of AIIB’s project pipeline in these regions, from identification to implementation. From 2016 to 2019, Pandian served as AIIB’s Chief Investment Officer. During this time, he successfully delivered investments in 21 members, amounting to more than USD12 billion, and built a strong foundation for the future growth of AIIB. Before joining AIIB in March 2016, he had an extensive career spanning 30 years with the Indian Administrative Service, holding key positions at the state, national and international levels in the energy, infrastructure and finance sectors. 

Vice President, Investment Operations	Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank


D. Jagatheesa Pandian	

Damilola Ogunbiyi is the CEO of Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All and Co-Chair of UN-Energy. She is also a Commissioner for the Global Commission to End Energy Poverty and the Co-Chair of the COP26 Energy Transition Council. She is a global leader and advocate for the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7), which calls for access to reliable, affordable, sustainable and modern energy for all by 2030, in line with the Paris Agreement on climate change. 

Damilola Ogunbiyi

CEO and UN SRSG for Sustainable Energy for All

Mr. Francesco La Camera is the Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency. He has more than thirty years of experience in the fields of climate, sustainability, and international cooperation. He formerly served as Director-General of Sustainable Development, Environmental Damage, EU and International Affairs at the Italian Ministry of Environment, Land & Sea. He developed cooperation and partnerships agreements with a wide range of countries, particularly developing countries. Mr. La Camera is widely credited with having spearheaded international cooperation on issues related to climate change and the environment. He played a key role in bringing together multilateral organisations to develop joint initiatives designed to implement the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals. 

Franceso 

Francesco La Camera	

With a background in engineering and project financing, Dr. Allen has been involved in the renewable, clean energy industry for more than 40 years.  From 1995 to 2001 he headed a renewable energy focused programme, E+Co, supported by the Rockefeller Foundation and other US based entities, enabling the funding of smaller scale, clean energy enterprises internationally.  Since 2012, as a special advisor, he has represented New Zealand at the IRENA through its council activities, and the IRENA/Abu Dhabi Fund for Development facility in particular.  He has maintained association with programmes directed at the SIDS, an area in which New Zealand development assistance has a particular focus in the Pacific, with more recent engagement within the Caribbean and Comoros Islands in East Africa.  

Mike Allen

Consultant in Geothermal and Renewable Energy Special Envoy, NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade


Mike Allen 

Mohamed is the Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, Masdar. He spearheads the company’s development and strategic direction as it plays a prominent role in the renewable energy and clean technology sector. Before becoming CEO, Mohamed held a number of senior management roles within Masdar, including Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining the company, he was head of the Internal Audit and Risk Management Office at GASCO, a leading oil and gas company based in Abu Dhabi.  

H.E.

H.E. Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi

H.E. Aminath Shauna was sworn in as the Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Technology on May 5, 2021. Her portfolio includes, protecting the natural environment, action and advocacy on climate change, science and technology development, and the implementation of policies on energy, telecommunications, water, and waste management. She also provides policy direction to the Ministry’s affiliated agencies, namely, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Biosphere Reserve Office. Prior to her appointment Shauna served as the Policy Secretary to H.E President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. Previously, Shauna served as Under Secretary at the Policy Office of the President’s Office from 2008-2012, where she was responsible for the coordination of all government policy matters, including climate change. 

Aminath

Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Technology Maldives


Aminath Shauna

Her Excellency Dr. Nawal Al-Hosany is the Permanent Representative of the UAE to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) since April 2018. Prior to this, she was Executive Director of Sustainability at Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, and the Director of the Zayed Future 
Energy Prize, the UAE’s annual global awards for renewable energy and sustainability. She also served as the Deputy Director General of the Emirates Diplomatic Academy (EDA).
She sits on several advisory boards and panels, including those of National Geographic, the Payne Institute at the Colorado School of Mines, the Momentum for Change initiative of UNFCCC, and Sustainable Energy for All’s (SEforALL) Leadership Council, a group of global leaders with the mission to accelerate action on SDG7 and the Paris Climate Agreement.

Nawal Al Hosany

Permanent Representative of the UAE, International Renewable Energy 
Agency (IRENA), UAE 

H.E. Dr. Nawal Al-Hosany

Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi is Director General of Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), an autonomous financial institution established by the Government of Abu Dhabi in 1971. The Fund, which is one of the biggest financial institutions in the UAE, provides concessionary loans to fund infrastructure projects in developing countries, ADFD also makes long-term investments in local companies in those countries in order to enable them to achieve sustainable socioeconomic development. On the domestic front, it supports the UAE’s economic-diversification efforts through funding private-sector investments and projects. Additionally, it supports national exports through its export-financing arm, Abu Dhabi Exports Office - ADEX. 

HE Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi

Director General, Abu Dhabi Fund for Development  

Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi  

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H.E. Abdulla Shahid 

The Hon. E. P. Chet Greene MP 

Arieta is currently the Programme Officer and manages the SIDS Lighthouses Initiative at IRENA. She has been working in the energy sector for over 18 years, particularly in the uptake of renewable energy in Fiji, the Pacific region and with global SIDS in her current capacity. She holds a Bachelor of Technology (Electrical/Electronics Engineering) from the University of the South Pacific, Fiji and Master of Science (Renewable Energy) from Murdoch University, Australia. 

arieta

Programme Officer (Lead) - SIDS Lighthouses at International Renewable Energy Agency 

Ms. Arieta Gonelevu Rakai 

Dr. Rhianna Neely is a passionate ambassador for a better tomorrow. She began her tertiary level education at the College of The Bahamas and onto Florida A&M University (FAMU), where she was the first student in the history of the Environmental Sciences Institute (now the School of the Environment) to complete a degree with a focus in Environmental Education. She was also among the first to be chosen as a Doris Duke Conservation Fellow and a Clinton Global Initiative Ambassador from FAMU. She is presently, Head of the Climate Change Unit in the Ministry of the Environment, where she and her all woman team managed the installation of two award winning solar and energy efficiency installations in Nassau and implemented a nationwide ban on selected single-use plastic items.

Rhianna

Rhianna Neely-Murphy

Mrs. Diann Black-Layne has been in the field of Environment management for over 20 years and has worked in all areas of the field such as protected areas, development of legislation and policy, preparing project documents and seeking international funding as well as designing national financial mechanisms for environmental management in SIDS.   She is currently the director of the Department of the Environment of Antigua and Barbuda, and Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador for Climate Change. Working in a small country, Ms. Black-Layne had to understand and implement policies and plans in all areas of Environmental Management particularly in the area of Finance. Over the past five years Mrs. Layne’s focus shifted from national implementation of plans and policies to include international negotiations. 

Diann

Ambassador for Climate Change, Antigua and Barbuda

Diann Black-Layne

Ahmed Badr is the Director of the International Renewable Energy Agency’s (IRENA) Project Facilitation and Support division (PFS). The division offers member countries dedicated project implementation support. Mr. Badr joined the Agency in April 2020 and brings more than 30 years of international experience in the field of banking and finance. In his role, Mr. Badr is tasked with leading the development of the division by building strong lines of cooperation with development banks and international financial institutions. He also spearheads the Agency’s implementation of the Climate Investment Platform, a multi-stakeholder platform established in partnership with SE4All, the UNDP and in coordination with Green Climate Fund and manages IRENA’s ongoing relationship with the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development. 

 

 

Ahmed

Director, Project Facilitation & Support International Renewable Energy Agency

Ahmed Badr

Paul is the Founder of Sunergsie International limited and GM of Todd Solar NZ. Paul is responsible for the day-to-day operations of Todd Solar t/a Sunergise New Zealand and sits on the Sunergise International Limited Board. Prior to establishing Sunergise, Paul was CEO of Oceanic Communications a handset distribution company servicing Telcos in New Zealand and the Pacific. Paul is passionate about enabling energy access in emerging markets. 

 

paul

Founder, Sunergise International Limited 

Paul Makumbe 

Courtenay Rattray began his tenure as High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States in July, 2021. It is the role of the High Representative to mobilize international support in favour of the ninety-one most vulnerable member states of the United Nations. It is his mandate to advocate on their behalf and raise awareness of their economic, social and environmental potential and ensure that the pressing needs of the 1.1 billion people who live there remain high on the international agenda. As Secretary-General of the forthcoming Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries in Doha, Qatar, in January 2022, one of Mr Rattray’s first priorities will be to lead the adoption of an ambitious new Programme of Action for the LDCs.

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High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and SIDs

Courtenay Rattray 

Her Excellency Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri is appointed as the Minister of Climate Change and Environment of the UAE. In this capacity, she leads the Ministry's mission of spearheading the UAE's drive to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change, protect the country's ecosystems, and enhance its food and water security through developing and implementing effective measures, policies and initiatives. 

HE Mariam

Minister of Climate Change and Environment, UAE

H.E. Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri

Transforming Energy: Spotlight on Small Island Developing States (SIDS)

Expo 2020 Dubai will mark the UAE's Golden Jubilee in December 2021, celebrating the country's history and progress over its first 50 years, while looking ahead to the next 50 years, guided by the UAE Centennial Plan 2071. This event track features events that invite the world to join hands with the UAE to craft a meaningful legacy to create value for generations to come. 

Creating Value with the UAE

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Vision 2071

V2071 icon

Establishing a more sustainable future is a key theme of Expo 2020. This illuminating conference addresses Sustainable Energy with an emphasis on technological neutrality, such as 'The role of design & architecture in promoting sustainable energy'.

Science, Sustainable Energy and Smart Mobility

Czech Science, Sustainable Energy & Smart Mobility

A conference addressing Sustainable Energy with an emphasis on technological neutrality.

Inside Expo: Sustainability I: The World’s Oldest Innovator

Inside Expo: Sustainability II: Harnessing the Sun

Terra - The Sustainability Pavilion - Audio Guide

Terra

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Terra - Carousel

At Expo 2020, sustainability is an urgent, attainable reality, and Terra – The Sustainability Pavilion is the proof. Both immersive exhibition space and exemplar of environmental self-sufficiency, Terra is a pioneering piece of architecture that pushes the limits of renewable design.

The pavilion’s 130-metre-wide solar canopy – so vast that you could park 10 city buses head-to-tail atop it – converts sunshine into electricity for the exhibits below. Artfully funnelled natural light and local plant species, together with technologies that can reduce water consumption by 75 per cent, show the way to a sustainable future.


Inspiring experiential journey through our shared sustainable future

Two immersive paths to choose from: beneath a forest and beneath an ocean

LEED Platinum environmental features, including solar power and water recycling

Terra 

terra

Videos

Terra is a super-sized marvel of forward-thinking design. The pavilion’s technology generates enough energy in a year to power a Nissan Leaf to drive halfway to Mars, while another system captures moisture from the air you breathe and turns it into drinkable water. Enter and take a fantastical journey through the wonders of nature, humanity’s challenges and the promise of our shared future. 


terra 

of harmonious living

A model

The Sustainability Pavilion

Terra is home to five thought-provoking art installations from artists around the world, with each piece demonstrating a response to the issue of sustainability.

Terra Art Installations

Young visitors can explore a fantastical world inspired by Terra's very own octopus, Octavia.

Octavia's Playground

Timelapse of Terra 

Czech Republic Pavilion Web Image m18224

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Czech Republic Carousel

Drawing on cutting-edge eco-technology, the Czech Republic Pavilion at Expo 2020 conjures a blooming garden in the Dubai desert literally from thin air. Powered by solar energy and Czech ingenuity, the pavilion’s sustainable vapour harvesting system pulls water from the air to create a beautiful oasis.

You’ll see the artful evidence of this system throughout the pavilion in the form of sweeping, swirling pipes, which not only channel the water but combine into fanciful “clouds” that offer shade. As you follow their flow, you’ll be treated to displays of Czech glassmaking, exhibits exploring desert cultivation and authentic regional cuisine.


Czech Republic 2

A model of form meeting function, the pavilion uses a swirl of hundreds of pipes to create the impression of a cloud rising from a lush desert oasis. These “bioplastic” pipes, which climb in great curls from a garden of palms and shrubbery, are part of an innovative system that uses solar energy to capture water from desert air. 


UAE Pavilion's Dreamer Dialogues | Future Cities: Reflecting, Dreaming and Looking Ahead

Future Cities: Reflecting, Dreaming and Looking Ahead

Speaker of the day

Speaker

Ahmed al Khatib

Speaker

Prof. Monica Menendez

Speaker

Dr. Nicolas Calvet

Speaker

Patrick Jarjour

Speaker

Wael Al Awar

Speaker

Ahmed al Khatib

Speaker

Prof. Monica Menendez

Speaker

Dr. Nicolas Calvet

Speaker

Patrick Jarjour

Participants