World Future Energy Summit 2013 kicks off in Abu Dhabi

Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) along with the first International Water Summit, in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, Jan. 15, 2013. (Xinhua/An Jiang)

The World Future Energy Summit (WFES) started in Abu Dhabi Tuesday, along with the first International Water Summit.

The three-day WFES 2013 with 20 national pavilions in the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center, was attended by 30,000 delegates from areas of the conventional energy (like oil and gas) and alternative energy industries (such as solar, wind and water power) , up from 26,000 delegates last year.

French President Francois Hollande and Argentina's President Christina Fernandez delivered the key notes at the opening ceremony.

The WFES also includes for the first time a "green jobs fair," a platform for the people who aim to start a career in the solar industry, wind energy sector or bio-thermal energy industry.

According to global consultancy Ernst and Young , the total investment in renewable energy stood at 237 billion U.S. dollars in 2011.

In addition, the conference will introduce the Sustainable Living Area "Estidama," and showcase the "green home" of the future.

The first International Water Summit is co-located with WFES.