Sharjah24 - WAM: The United Arab Emirates is participating as a Guest of Honor in the Global Energy Batteries Conference, which will be held in Yibin City, Sichuan Province, China, on September 1st and 2nd, 2024.
The Sichuan Provincial Government of China is hosting the conference under the theme "New Quality Energy for a Green Future," featuring 11 major events, such as a roundtable discussion on the development of international energy battery companies, exhibitions showcasing achievements, environmental exploration and experience activities, and six high-level forums addressing various topics, including the integration of the energy battery industry and finance in China, and more.
The UAE is participating as this year's Guest of Honor with a national pavilion that features prominent government entities and leading Emirati companies such as the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, Masdar, UAE University, New York University - Abu Dhabi, the KEZAD Group, and Titan Lithium. These entities will showcase their achievements in renewable energy, technology, innovation, and industry.
Hussain Ibrahim Al Hammadi, the UAE Ambassador to the People's Republic of China, delivered a keynote address at the opening of the conference. In his speech, he emphasized the strong and deep-rooted cooperative relationship and partnership between the two countries. He stated, "This conference provides a unique platform to present our shared vision for a more sustainable future. The UAE's participation as the Guest of Honor at this global conference in 2024 is a testament to the robust and growing relationship between our two friendly nations, particularly in the fields of clean energy, advanced technology, and industry. Our presence at this conference reflects our commitment to innovation, international cooperation, and the pursuit of sustainable development."
He added, "Through our participation in this conference, we aim to showcase the UAE's achievements, and strengthen our ties with the People's Republic of China, explore new avenues for cooperation, and contribute to the global dialogue on transitioning towards clean and sustainable energy. The UAE and China share a common goal of promoting sustainable development. Together, we can turn our ambitions into a more prosperous and sustainable future for all."
The ambassador also highlighted that this participation aligns with the UAE's policy and its leading role in supporting sustainable practices and addressing climate change challenges at both the national and international levels. This role was clearly evident during the organization and hosting of the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which was held at Expo City Dubai last November, serving as a roadmap for correcting the course of global climate action. He affirmed that advanced battery manufacturing technologies are a critical component of sustainable energy solutions, which have become increasingly important for the UAE, especially amid the transition to clean and renewable energy.
The conference is considered a leading global event in the energy battery industry and has been successfully held in Yibin for two consecutive years. This year's conference is attended by leaders of the world's top ten energy battery companies, representatives from 25 companies on the “Fortune 500” list, 15 state-owned enterprises, and more than 80 listed companies, in addition to many prominent academics and experts from China and abroad. Additionally, over 180 global companies, including CATL, Tesla, and BYD, are participating. Experts and major company executives will deliver keynote speeches at the conference.
The UAE and China continue to expand their cooperation within their comprehensive strategic partnership, established during the historic visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping President of the People's Republic of China, to the UAE in 2018.
The UAE is China's largest non-oil trading partner in the Middle East and North Africa, with non-oil trade volume reaching $82 billion in 2023. Non-oil trade between the UAE and China has increased nearly 800 times since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1984.