Sheikha Dr. Shamma bint Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan, in her speech titled “Drops of Awareness – The Gateway to Abundance Begins with an Idea,” stated, “Water scarcity is not only a crisis we face; it poses a threat to community security. In societies lacking effective solutions for water scarcity, this will clearly impact social stability. Therefore, we must recognize that each drop of water managed with awareness and efficiency is, in essence, a dose of community stability.”
She further added, “In 2024, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, will launch the Mohammed bin Zayed Water Initiative to address the water crisis, which aims to tackle water scarcity challenges not only in the UAE but globally. This reflects the spirit of collaboration and the value of humanitarian solidarity inherent in our human legacy. The initiative is built on several important pillars, including technological innovation through the application of effective technological solutions. It also emphasizes awareness at both local and global levels, enabling the world to understand the existential threat humanity faces.”
She remarked, “The Earth belongs to all of us; it is not an inheritance for any one individual; it is humanity’s legacy as a whole. Without a shared awareness, those solutions and ideas remain mere ink on paper without value. However, when these ideas transform into projects with a collective consciousness surrounding the global water crisis, they gain significance.”
She concluded by saying, “Fill the cup of the future with drops of action and innovation; today’s drop of awareness can become tomorrow’s river of abundance, and let us always be companions in building droplets of awareness for prosperity.”
The Minister of Climate Change and Environment, Dr. Amina bint Abdullah Al Hashimi, reiterated the UAE’s firm commitment to sustainability under its visionary leadership across various sectors and levels, both nationally and globally.
She mentioned, “In the UAE, we believe that addressing climate change, developing sustainable agriculture, preserving ecosystems, promoting a green economy, and transitioning to sustainable production and consumption systems are essential pillars for achieving balanced development and enhancing economic competitiveness. She emphasized that the success of the sustainability framework requires integrated efforts, unified visions, and alignment of environmental and developmental policies with economic, technological, and social transformations to ensure resilient and sustainable community growth.”
Dr. Sheikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary-General of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, noted, “Abu Dhabi’s sustainability approach embodies a comprehensive vision that places nature at the core of development, believing that environmental health is the fundamental pillar for economic prosperity.”
“By leveraging science and technology and fostering partnerships, we aim to establish a development model that balances innovation and restoration,” she added.
Abdul Nasser bin Kalban, CEO of Emirates Global Aluminium, stated, “As the global transition towards a more sustainable future accelerates, aluminum emerges as a vital resource in building that future, increasing the significance of sustainable production methods to achieve this goal.”
He continued, “At Emirates Global Aluminium, we rely on innovation to lead the future of aluminum production, enabling a more sustainable industrial transformation that benefits our economy and communities.”
The first day of the summit also witnessed the launch of the “Forbes Middle East Youth Council,” a strategic initiative aimed at preparing a new generation of leaders and decision-makers across various vital fields, including sustainability, innovation, entrepreneurship, digital economy, media, science, and technology.