Scottish Government
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Energy talent invited to Scotland
First Minister Alex Salmond will invite a gathering of the world's most talented innovators to visit Scotland to see the world-class energy research being undertaken here.
The First Minister will extend the invitation to attend the Scottish Low Carbon Investment Conference during an address to the World's Young Future Energy Leaders at a major international conference in Abu Dhabi. He will tell the gathering of over 150 students from UAE universities, international universities, and young professionals from local companies that they should experience the world class related energy research, development and industry taking place in Scotland.
The Scottish Low Carbon Investment Conference, which will take place in October this year in Edinburgh, brings together government, finance, utilities and developers to engage directly on the opportunities and challenges presented by the global shift to low carbon economies. It will be an ideal forum for the group to mix with outstanding students studying renewables at Scotland's leading Universities, senior business leaders, Ministers and policy makers and to contribute to discussions on the future of the European/Scottish renewables industry.
The First Minister will tell the young innovators:
"It is clear that nations can no longer consider the challenge of energy security as something for the next generation to tackle and solve.
"As the next generation, you have the tools and you know the challenge. But we do not have the lifetime to realise the dream of a secure global future.
"We must start from today with our young future energy leaders using your talent and enthusiasm to turn vision into reality. This is a global challenge and therefore one which demands collaboration across nations. That is why I would like you - some of the best renewables minds in the world - to visit Scotland - the best location for developing renewables in the world."
The First Minister will also tell the highly influential gathering that 2012, the year of the climate discussions in Rio and a year the FM has declared a Year of Climate Justice, that they have the power and foresight to put the journey to a low carbon future on the global map.
Lena Wilson, chief executive of Scottish Enterprise, said:
"Scotland is globally recognised as a world-leader in the low carbon industry and it's vital for Scotland's long term economic future that we continue to build on this and find new ways of working and developing our expertise to improve our success.
"The Scottish Low Carbon Investment Conference is the ideal opportunity for Scottish-based companies to meet and share ideas and experiences with like-minded organisations and to network with key players from across the industry Scottish Enterprise would welcome the opportunity to meet with professionals, local companies and universities from the Middle East at events like these - creating possibilities for invaluable collaborative projects and future joint working."
The young innovators are part of the outreach initiative created and run by the Masdar Institute of Science of Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university and part of Masdar, Abu Dhabi's multi-faceted renewable energy company.
The members for 2012 were selected out of 400 applicants, after a stringent vetting process that ensured only the most eligible candidates are chosen for the exclusive YFEL programme.
Mr Salmond is in Abu Dhabi to attend the opening ceremony of the World Future Energy Summit. The opening ceremony will be performed by Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, chief executive of Masdar, and the conference will also be addressed by Ban Ki Moon, UN Secretary General, and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. He will also sign an agreement with Masdar, one of the world's leading renewables innovators, to work together to deliver tangible clean energy projects. The First Minister will also deliver a high-level address at the annual World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi on Monday.
Masdar is Abu Dhabi's multi-faceted initiative advancing the development, commercialisation and deployment of renewable energy technologies and solutions. The company serves as a link between today's fossil fuel economy and the energy economy of the future - developing the "greenprint" for how we will live and work tomorrow. Backed by the stability and reputation of the Mubadala Development Company, the strategic investment company of the government of Abu Dhabi, Masdar is dedicated to the Emirate's long-term vision for the future of energy.
