In commemoration of the historic Green Dubai declaration, a forum is being held in Dubai to both review the progress the emirate has made as well as to look to the future plans for greening the city. The Green Dubai World Forum 2008 is co-sponsored by the Middle East Center for Sustainable Development (MECSD), Pacific Controls Systems and Solar Technologies, and is hosting an impressive guest list. F. W. De Klerk, the former President of South Africa, is the key note speaker of the event.

During the first evening of the forum, Sultan bin Sulayem, the chairman of Dubai World, announced plans to create the Middle East's largest photovoltaic manufacturing facility in Dubai, and virtually inaugurated the project.

The initial Green Dubai declaration was issued on October 24, 2007 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. He mandated that Dubai would have a roadmap to a sustainable future by 2015 and that Dubai would move towards global leadership in sustainable development. The Green Dubai World Forum was organized as a means to that end. The annual meeting — the first of which is currently being held in Dubai — is invitation only, but the plenary session will be available on YouTube and other forum information will be made available through Flickr and Twitter.

Photo — John Wards