Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh
KUCHING: Sarawak Energy is organising its first own-brand thought leadership conference, the Sustainability and Renewable Energy Forum (Saref), to be held from Dec 10 to Dec 11.
Organised together with the state’s Ministry of Utilities, Saref will be held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg is expected to officiate at the forum’s opening.
The forum is aimed at creating a platform for greater discussion on sustainability and renewable energy.
Speaking at a special session to headline the event will be United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Goodwill Ambassador Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh, who raises 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, and Sarawak Energy’s focus is on UN SDG7 on providing greater access to renewable and reliable energy.
The forum 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 are expected to converge on Kuching to discuss the subject matters.
“We hope that this inaugural forum will be the start of a 10-year campaign, providing a platform biennially for energy leaders to discuss the role of renewable energy in driving sustainability.
Datu Sharbini Suhaili
“In addition, we will also explore how we can work towards facilitating cross-border collaborations for a more sustainable energy future,” said Sarawak Energy Group chief executive officer Datu Sharbini Suhaili in a statement.
The forum will also explore how energy players and other stakeholders can work together to maximise renewable energy solutions to meet 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.
“Our hope is 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,” added Sharbini.
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.
Partner agencies include UN Global Compact Network, Malaysia as knowledge partner and Malaysia’s Sustainable Energy Development Authority (Seda).
Topics discussed on Day 1 will be Sustainability and Renewable Energy; Renewable Hydropower – Catalyst for Growth in SEA; Renewable Energy Certification; Sustainability and Financing while Day 2 will see sessions on Circular Economy; Driving Sustainability and Preparing the Workforce for 2030.
International speakers include United Nations Global Compact executive director Faroze Nadar and Takafumi Kadono of the World Bank Group, London-based chief executive officer of International Hydropower Association Eddie Rich and US-based Terracycle chief executive officer Tom Szaky as well as Chief Representative of Asean Global Energy Interconnection 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.