KUCHING
18 AUGUST 2023
Dame Christiana Figueres, former UN Climate Chief and co-host of “Outrage + Optimism,” will deliver a special address at Sarawak Energy’s third installation of its flagship event, the Sustainability & Renewable Energy Forum (SAREF 3.0) come 6 September 2023.
Dame Christiana Figueres is renowned for her leadership and vision in sustainability and climate action. She was instrumental in rallying almost two hundred countries to participate as signatories to the Paris Agreement. During her tenure, she introduced a fresh approach to collaborative diplomacy, earning her numerous accolades.
Figueres will also share her insights in a special panel session “A Shared Energy Future – Partnership and Collaboration.” Joining her will be Datu Haji Sharbini Suhaili, SAREF Chairman and Sarawak Energy’s Group CEO as well as notable energy industry leader Tan Sri Tengku Taufik, President and CEO of PETRONAS; and Dr. Nuki Agya Utama, Executive Director of the ASEAN Centre for Energy or ACE. The session will be moderated by Sharanjit Leyl, international broadcaster for CNBC.
Beyond her UN role, Figueres has been a strong advocate for urgent climate action. She co-authored “The Future We Choose: The Stubborn Optimist’s Guide to the Climate Crisis” (Penguin Random House 2019) and also serves as co-host for the acclaimed podcast, Outrage and Optimism. Additionally, she sits on the boards of ACCIONA Energía.
The theme of SAREF 3.0, “Regional Net Zero and Sustainable Communities, Renewable Energy Development and Interconnections” focuses on regional initiatives aimed at achieving net zero emissions and promoting green energy solutions including interconnections for a shared sustainable energy future.
The theme is particularly relevant in light of recent reports highlighting record-breaking global temperatures in July.
Endorsed by the Ministry of Utility & Telecommunication and the Ministry of Energy & Environmental Sustainability, the forum aims to foster greater collaboration and partnerships in driving actionable solutions towards the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals or SDGs by 2030. Thought leaders, policymakers, and industry experts from the global energy and sustainability sectors will converge in Kuching to chart the path for a more sustainable energy future. SAREF is held every two years as part of a 10-year thought leadership campaign.
The Premier of Sarawak, The Right Honourable Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg will officiate the event on its inaugural day. Meanwhile, The Honourable Dr. Haji Hazland bin Abang Hipni is scheduled to deliver the closing remarks.
Prominent speakers include The Honourable Datuk Haji Julaihi Haji Narawi, Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Sarawak; The Honourable Datuk Haji Hazland bin Abang Hipni, Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability Sarawak; Datuk Amar Abdul Hamed Sepawi, Chairman of Sarawak Energy; Tan Sri Datuk Amar Haji Mohamad Morshidi Bin Haji Abdul Ghani, Chairman of the Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak and Sarawak Energy Board Member; and Eddie Rich, Chief Executive Officer for International Hydropower Association.
For the full list of speakers at SAREF 3.0, visit https://saref.com.my/speakers/.
The two-day forum will also feature exhibitions and podium pitches, highlighting initiatives and products central to renewable energy strategies and technologies.
Sarawak Energy organised the first Sustainability & Renewable Energy Forum in 2019. Anchored on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) with a focus on Goals 7, 13, 17, 11, 5 and 8, each subsequent SAREF conference provides the opportunity to review commitments made previously and chart the way forward.
For detailed information on speakers, sponsorship opportunities, exhibition packages, and delegate registration, visit www.saref.com.my .
