KUCHING, Oct 14: The Sustainability and Renewable Energy Forum or SAREF 2019 will be held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here from Dec 10 to 11.
Organised by Sarawak Energy together with the Ministry of Utilities Sarawak, this first own-brand thought leadership conference will be a platform for a greater discussion on sustainability and renewable energy.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Abang Openg is expected to officiate the opening of the forum, together with Minister for Utilities Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom and Sarawak Energy Group chief executive officer (CEO) Datu Sharbini Suhaili.
To speak at the special session to headline the event will be United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Goodwill Ambassador Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh and the award-winning Malaysian actress, in her role, will raise awareness and mobilises support for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).
The UN SDGs aim to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all by 2030 through a set of 17 interconnecting goals that address current global challenges.
Emphasised in a media release today, Sarawak Energy’s focus is on UN SDG7 on providing greater access to renewable and reliable energy.
SAREF 2019 will feature discussions on how the energy industry and society move forward in building a sustainable energy future while helping to meet the UN SDGs.
Experts, business leaders and champions of sustainability and renewable energy will converge in Kuching to discuss the subject matters.
Sharbini hopes that this inaugural forum will be the start of a ten-year campaign, providing a platform biennially for energy leaders to discuss the role of renewable energy in driving sustainability.
“Besides, we will also explore how we can work towards facilitating cross-border collaborations for a more sustainable energy future,” he said.
The forum, he shared, will explore how energy players and other stakeholders can work together to maximise renewable energy solutions to meet the growing demand for power in their respective markets and meet emission targets.
To showcase the role of business in sustainability, two-panel discussions will zoom in on renewable energy certification, and sustainability and financing.
“We hope that each subsequent forum every two years will allow us to review progress against what was discussed at the previous forum. We also want to ensure that our efforts are aligned to the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” he added.
The two-day forum will conclude with an Energy Leaders Forum led by Sharbini to drive conversations around renewable energy strategies and technologies for the industry in delivering efficient and sustainable management of natural resources.
There will also be an exhibition and podium pitches showcasing related initiatives and products.
In addition to Astro Awani as national media and content partner, Sarawak Energy is also working with CNBC Asia Pacific and the South China Morning Post to ensure key discussion points reach a wider national and regional audience. Moderators will also come from the media partners.
Partner agencies include UN Global Compact Network, Malaysia as knowledge partner and Malaysia’s Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA).
The topics to be discussed on the first day are Sustainability and Renewable Energy; Renewable Hydropower- Catalyst for Growth in SEA; Renewable Energy Certification; Sustainability and Financing.
On the second day of the forum, it will see sessions on Circular Economy; Driving Sustainability and Preparing the Workforce for 2030.
International speakers include the United Nations Global Compact executive director Faroze Nadar and from the World Bank Group, Takafumi Kadono.
Also invited to speak are the London-based International Hydropower Association CEO Eddie Rich and US-based Terracycle CEO Tom Szaky as well as Asean Global Energy Interconnection chief representative Quan Nan.
Details of other speakers, sponsorship and exhibition packages as well as how to register as a delegate are available at www.saref2019.com. Registrations for the forum and exhibition are open now.— DayakDaily
