First Minister Alex Salmond has invited some of the world's top energy innovators at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi to come to Scotland to see the energy research being undertaken here.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao are among the list of speakers attending the high-powered conference.
Salmond, who spoke on the panel Action Towards Universal Energy Access earlier today, has invited a group of over 150 students from UAE universities, international universities, and young professionals from local companies to visit the Scottish Low Carbon Investment Conference.
The Scottish Low Carbon Investment Conference, which will take place in October this year in Edinburgh, brings together government, finance, utilities and developers to engage directly on the opportunities and challenges presented by the global shift to low carbon economies.
It will provide a forum for the group to mix with outstanding students studying renewables at Scotland's leading Universities, senior business leaders, Ministers and policy makers and to contribute to discussions on the future of the European/Scottish renewables industry.
Scotland has an ambitious greenhouse gas emission target of 42 per cent of 1990 levels by 2020 and 80 per cent by 2050.
"It is clear that nations can no longer consider the challenge of energy security as something for the next generation to tackle and solve," said Salmond.
"As the next generation, you have the tools and you know the challenge. But we do not have the lifetime to realise the dream of a secure global future."
Lena Wilson, chief executive of Scottish Enterprise, said:
"The Scottish Low Carbon Investment Conference is the ideal opportunity for Scottish-based companies to meet and share ideas and experiences with like-minded organisations and to network with key players from across the industry Scottish Enterprise would welcome the opportunity to meet with professionals, local companies and universities from the Middle East at events like these - creating possibilities for invaluable collaborative projects and future joint working."
Masdar initiative
The young innovators are part of the outreach initiative created and run by the Masdar Institute of Science of Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university and part of Masdar, Abu Dhabi's multi-faceted renewable energy company.
The members for 2012 were selected out of 400 applicants, after a stringent vetting process that ensured only the most eligible candidates are chosen for the exclusive YFEL programme.
Masdar is Abu Dhabi's multi-faceted initiative advancing the development, commercialisation and deployment of renewable energy technologies and solutions. The company serves as a link between today's fossil fuel economy and the energy economy of the future - developing the "greenprint" for how we will live and work tomorrow.
Backed by the stability and reputation of the Mubadala Development Company, the strategic investment company of the government of Abu Dhabi, Masdar is dedicated to the Emirate's long-term vision for the future of energy.
Salmond will also sign an agreement with Masdar to work together to deliver tangible clean energy projects.