Abu Dhabi, Jan 20 (IANS/WAM): The seventh edition of World Future Energy Summit (WFES) got under way Monday in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Inaugurating the summit at Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Centre (ADNEC), Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the UAE Armed Forces, said the UAE, under the leadership of President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, attached paramount importance to concerted efforts aimed at securing safe, clean and sustainable energy as the a mainstay for stability and growth in various parts of the world.

“Energy is the backbone of all development activities and its importance is increasing in arid regions for the need to power water desalination stations,” he stated.

“We cannot speak about sustainable development away from security of basic resource: water and energy,” he added.

The summit, held under the theme 'Powering the Future of Energy Innovation', saw the participation of a number of heads of states and governments, representatives of international organisations, international companies and experts.

It will conclude Jan 22.