A representative of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (Unido) has lauded the staging of the “Global Clean Energy & Sustainability Summit and Exhibition” (GCESSE) in Qatar where Unido is expected to participate in several sessions of the event.
The GCESSE, organised by the Gulf Organisation for Industrial Consulting (Goic) in association with the Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah International Foundation for Energy and Sustainable Development, will be held from November 14 to 15 at the Westin Doha Hotel & Spa.
Dr Mohamed Eisa, who is also director of Unido Regional Office in Pretoria, South Africa, said: “Guided by Goic’s vision and as a renowned regional institution advancing the cause of inclusive and sustainable industrial development, the GCESSE offers an opportunity for Unido to contribute and showcase its success stories to the world.”
“It also provides Unido an international platform to participate in several events led by distinguished scholars and personalities in the global energy and environmental sustainability areas,” he noted. On Unido’s role in the sustainable energy sector, Eisa said: “Together with other sister UN organisations such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), GCESS facilitates the attainment of our obligations vis-a-vis member countries and helps in the creation of an enabling environment for exploring opportunities of co-operation and joint programming with the countries of the GCC and Qatar for our mutual benefits. 
“Unido, as a specialised UN agency, takes such opportunity to highlight its role as a lead agency for the implementation of the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and post 2015 agenda, particularly SDG7 on Sustainable Energy for All and SDG9 on Infrastructure, Industrialisation, and Innovation.”
According to Goic, “Qatar is facing challenges due climate change and the greenhouse effect despite its status as one of the energy-richest countries in the world.”
“Due to preparations for the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Qatar has witnessed a boom in the construction sector, as well as a massive increase in its population, resulting in considerable indirect energy consumption for housing and transportation,” Goic said.
Goic assistant secretary-general Dr Ali Hamed al-Mulla said GCESSE “represents the ideal platform” for clean energy professionals and experts to network and discuss alternative sources of energy measures to combat the effects of climate change.
“Many potential participants at the GCESS include companies like Qatar Petroleum Research & Development Department, Qatar Petrochemical Company, Qatar Gas, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Fertiliser Company, Qatar Aluminium, and Qatar Vinyl Company, among many others,” he said.
He added: “The summit represents an ultimate opportunity for Qatar and other GCC states to highlight the latest research efforts that are being implemented as part of their commitment to support the international efforts in producing cleaner energy and reducing the effects of greenhouse gas emissions.”