There are obstacles facing the Akon Lighting Africa project, singer…
DUBAI: The third edition of The World Green Economy Summit (WGES) was inaugurated on Wednesday under the patronage and in the presence of Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Dubai: Keynote speakers urged hundreds of students attending the World Green Economy Summit to do what they can to protect and preserve the environment given it is the only option we have.
Former Nasa astronaut Donald Thomas told the summit in an address that after four missions and 44 days in space, that he realised how fragile the earth was given that it is protected only by a “paper-thin layer” of atmosphere.
From 300 kilometres orbiting above earth, Thomas said he saw the devastating damage humans were doing to the earth and urged people to adopt more environment-friendly attitudes and actions.
International musician Akon also took to the stage on Wednesday to the delight of hundreds of students in the crowd calling Dubai the “heaven on earth” while encouraging young people to get involved in projects such as his efforts to help fellow Africans have a better life.
He told the audience that Akon Lighting Africa has in three years grown to 15 countries in the bid to help an estimated 600 million Africans who still don’t have electricity.
Support from around the world “gave us the confidence to say we can do (it in) 48 countries”, Akon said.
Singer Akon addresses delegates at the summit. Photo: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News
Dubai: The UAE’s first World Green Economy Organisation (Wgeo) was launched on Wednesday to bolster a culture of green economy in the country, the region and around the world, said organisers.
The Dubai-based organisation was launched by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, at the third edition of the two-day World Green Economy Summit that began on Wednesday at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
The organisation will provide consultations and technical, financial and moral support in the field of green economy.
It also aims to be a primary reference for green sector parties doing research related to clean energy, the environment and human protection.
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