DUBAI // A UN body has joined up with a local organisation to promote the use of renewable energy and clean technologies in the region.
The Arab Business Forum on Sustainable Development and Green Economy is a partnership between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the UAE-based Clean Energy Business Council.
The partners will support research and policy development, while also encouraging the region’s businesses to increase their investment in clean technology.
“The reason why we felt that a partnership with UNDP is important is because it brings us an international body that represents standards, it brings us in contact with an international body that represents all countries across the world ... and has data and knowledge on the environment and what is happening with climate change,” said Dr Nasser Saidi, chairman of the Clean Energy Business Council.
The partnership, said Dr Saidi, “allows us to provide knowledge to the business side about what is happening internationally through various UN bodies ... and at the same time allows UNDP to have further reach into the region through the business sector and through our presence across the region”.
Dr Saidi said he hoped the partnership would also influence governments.
“There is a big gap on the policy side. None of the countries of the region has a framework for improving energy efficiency, introducing clean energy, how to remove subsidies for fuel and how to replace them with tariffs,” he said.
“We are hoping that the partnership with UNDP would allow us to bring this experience to bear and help governments.”
Kishan Khoday, regional practice leader for energy and environment at UNDP, urged the private sector to offer assistance.
“The private sector is pretty much at the forefront, leading solutions to development challenges around the world,” he said.
“Through this partnership we are really looking at an entire region of the world, and also thematically focusing it on specific issues.”
vtodorova@thenational.ae
