Dubai, 10th December 2007: Dubai Aerospace Enterprise University (DAE University), the education and aviation careers business cluster of Dubai Aerospace Enterprise, the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) will host the first-ever global conference in the region on ‘Air Transport and Global Climate Change’ from March 9 to 11, 2008, at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel in Dubai. The meet, featuring international experts, will discuss the critical environmental issues facing leaders in the aviation and aerospace industry. The conference will explore various facets of climate change issues vis-à-vis the air travel industry including the role of technology in stablising and reduction of emissions, policy and regulatory action, and the possibility of pre-competitive research and technologies being shared by the industry leaders and the government.

Dr. George H. Ebbs, President and Chief Executive Officer, DAE University, said: “Climate change is one of the key issues in sustainable development initiatives, and is of vital importance to the aviation sector. It has been estimated that aviation contributes to about two per cent of the total carbon emissions globally. The first conference on the topic, to be held in Dubai, will put the spotlight on the challenges faced by the aviation and aerospace sector from the perspective of air transport leaders and strive to arrive at meaningful solutions, which could set global benchmarks.”

H.E. Mohamed Ghanim Al Ghaith, Director General, GCAA, added: “Hosting the conference is particularly relevant to the burgeoning air transport industry of the region, which will have one of the highest growth rates in the aviation industry. GCAA, along with DAE University and ICAO, is taking a leadership role in assessing the global environmental impact of air transport and promoting opportunities for reducing and eventually neutralizing the effect of the sector on climate change.”

The conference will assess whether new technologies are being developed fast enough to achieve positive environmental benefits, and discuss the appropriate legal and political mechanisms in place to address the issue. Industry leaders will also explore whether modern approaches to improve the environmental impact of air transport can be treated non-competitively among the key players to eventually roll out a concerted plan of action for the whole industry.

Dr. Taïeb Chérif, Secretary General of ICAO said; “As a policy maker for this industry our organization wants to help highlight the shifting dynamics of the aviation sector. Industry leaders are primed for international issues, and thus, are effectively equipped to meet future challenges. The gaps in knowledge can be filled only through interactive sessions that bring together global thought-leaders. This conference is aimed at streamlining information flow – locally, regionally and globally and providing our industry with practical direction.”

Mr Jalal Haidar, Permanent Representative of the UAE to ICAO, added: “The aviation sector in the Gulf region has made rapid strides and is internationally recognized as a key segment offering high-growth potential. We have to work together to focus our attention on key international issues, some of them extremely critical towards the long-term profitability and stability of the industry. The debate over global warming should not penalize air transportation, nor should it be at the expense of economic growth. In fact a balanced approach can be achieved to reach common objectives to protect our environment.”

Prominent industry leaders will address the conference and a steering committee comprising aviation experts has already been instituted. Key members include: His Excellency Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Governmental Sector Development; Dr. Taïeb Chérif, Secretary General of ICAO; H. E. Mohamed Ghanim Al Ghaith; The Honorable Jeffrey Shane, Undersecretary for Policy of US Department of Transportation; Dr. George Ebbs; The Honorable Marion Blakey, President and CEO of Aerospace Industries; and Scott Carson, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Patrick Goudou, Executive Director of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Todd Kallman, President, Commercial Engines, Pratt & Whitney, and representatives from  EADS are invitees to the event among others.

DAE University and the GCAA, in collaboration with ICAO, are in the forefront of several key initiatives that give a new direction of growth for the aviation and aerospace industry, and the Conference is expected to create a new platform that facilitates exchange of ideas between the regional and international experts in the sector.  For more information, please visit the conference website - www.daeunıversıty.ac.ae

About DAE University
Based in Dubai , DAE University is the education and training arm of Dubai Aerospace Enterprise offering world-class aviation education programmes. DAE University which opened its doors in October 2006 is the first of its kind in the Middle East region to offer comprehensive undergraduate and graduate programmes in aerospace-focused business and engineering. Plans also include a Ph.D. program in the near future.

DAE University also offers students an innovative approach to flight training. The program combines superior aeronautical academics with advanced aircraft and flight simulation in a proficiency-based flight training environment at its DAE Flight Academy facility in Ras Al Khaimah.
 
About DAE
DAE is a fast developing global aerospace, manufacturing and services corporation made up of six divisions – DAE Airports, DAE Capital, DAE Engineering, DAE Manufacturing, DAE Services and DAE University.

Headquartered in Dubai, the group is growing through a series of phased developments and acquisitions to become a global player and to produce an integrated aerospace cluster, based at Dubai World Central – the new 140 square kilometre airport and logistics city being constructed in Jebel Ali, Dubai. It is forming international partnerships at the highest level of industry with the aim of establishing one of the most innovative and successful businesses in the global aerospace industry within the next decade. 

DAE’s shareholders include EMAAR, ISTITHMAR, Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority (DAFZA), Dubai International Capital, DIFC Investments LLC, the Government of Dubai and AMLAK Finance. 

Source: DAE University
For further information about DAE University, click here