“It is not acceptable that three billion people have to rely on wood, waste and charcoal for their energy needs,” South Korean Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik said in his keynote speech at the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) in Abu Dhabi this month.

Under the theme of "Powering Sustainable Innovation," WFES 2012 welcomed more than 26,000 attendees. Other keynote speakers included Chinese Premier HE Wen Jiabao and Secretary General of the United Nations, HE Ban Ki-moon.

Kim stressed the need for active co-operation between developing and developed countries in expanding renewable energy resources.

"To distribute renewable energy to the world, active financial support and technology transfers from developed countries to their developing counterparts are required," he said.

Kim also stressed the importance of "the peaceful usage of nuclear energy" under guarantees of "safety and non-proliferation" until alternative energy resources can fully replace fossil fuels.

Kim is a strong supporter of renewable energy and is working to create a green economy focused on economic development and job growth.

South Korea aims to generate 11% of energy from renewables by 2030. This is compared with a current figure of 2.46% - achievement of these targets would be four times more than current levels.

The country has earmarked $891.2 million in support of renewable energy projects and financing including building solar and wind power energy facilities.

In his welcoming address, Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, the CEO of Masdar, outlined the huge advances the renewables sector has made in recent years.

“Over the last decade, the renewable energy sector has grown immensely,” he told delegates. “The production capacity for wind has increased by a factor of 10 to reach 200 gigawatts, while solar has increased by a factor of 30, to reach almost 35 gigawatts. Production and technology advances have led to a sharp decrease in the cost of production, and the market value of the renewable sector has increased from one billion dollars to 211 billion dollars.”

In his keynote address, the Chinese Premier, Wen Jiabao, praised the UAE’s vision and courage in the field of sustainable development.

He outlined a four-stage process to address the world’s future energy challenges, with the priority being energy conservation and energy efficiency.

“To save energy does not mean simply to cut energy use, nor does it compromise people’s quality of life,” he told delegates. “What is needed is to rely on science and technology to increase energy efficiency, build a circular national economy featuring low input, high output and low energy consumption and emissions, and drive sustainable economic and social development with minimum energy and resource consumption.”

He also called on governments to “vigorously develop renewable energy and clean energy” as alternatives to fossil fuel, promote a “revolution of science and technology in the energy sector,” and finally, “effectively safeguard energy security”.

The Chinese Premier outlined the steps his own country is taking to address energy challenges, including shutting down coal fired generators, investing in wind, solar and hydroelectric power and increasing energy efficiencies in its traditional industries.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in his keynote address, called on governments, the private sector and civil society to make greater commitments in support of his Sustainable Energy for All Initiative.  “Widespread energy poverty still condemns millions to darkness, to ill health, to missed opportunities for education,” he said, adding that one in five people still lack access to electricity.

The WFES is the world’s foremost annual meeting committed to promoting advancement of renewable energy, energy efficiency, and the water and waste sectors by engaging political, business, finance, academic and industry leaders to drive innovation, business and investment opportunities in response to the growing need for sustainable energy.