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Taking place from May 2-3, Sustainable Arabia: Clean Energy 2012 aims to promote dialogue in the Arab world on the green economy and priorities for sustainable development, targeting policymakers and practitioners from the region, as well as international experts. More than 120 high-level officials are expected to attend.

The conference’s main objective is to debate best practice on the key environmental issues concerning Arab countries in the run-up to Rio+20, and develop a consensus on the importance of transitioning to a green economy.

His Excellency Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, said: “Our cooperation with UNDP in organising the Sustainable Arabia: Clean Energy conference reflects our commitment to implementing the UAE’s vision for a green economy under the slogan 'A green economy for sustainable development' as outlined by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. It also shows continued progress in the implementation of the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030.”

“The real challenge facing sustainable development is implementation. In order to turn vision into reality, we need to look closely at the intergovernmental processes, policies and legislation and create workable solutions,” said Dr Elissar Sarrouh, UN Resident Coordinator / UNDP Resident Representative. “Sustainable Arabia 2012 will be an important staging post in achieving this vision.”

Sustainable Arabia: Clean Energy 2012 will focus on a variety of core issues including the political will of national governments to implement the green economy agenda; areas of cooperation in implementing sustainable development strategies; necessary policy and regulatory frameworks; the importance of transparency and knowledge sharing; priorities for capacity building; and funding and financing strategies.

Opportunities to raise public awareness of the importance of sustainable development through more effective community-level engagement will also be high on the agenda.

RIO +20, organised by the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD), marks the 20th anniversary of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), held in Rio de Janeiro, and the 10th anniversary of the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg.

RIO +20 takes place in Brazil on June 20-22 2012 and will be attended by heads of state from the around the world and top-ranking government delegations.