(Dubai, November 2005) : Fuel efficiency, more efficient energy use and pioneering hydrogen fuel cell technology will form the basis for the first ever Middle East Forum on Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Economy (MEFH), to be held in at the Dubai Police Academy, UAE, on December 6 - 7, 2005.

Public and private sector heavyweights, such as General Motors, Ballard, Hydrogenics, Plug Power, Fuel Cell Markets, UTC, and the World Fuel Cell Council have thrown their backing behind the event, which is held in association with the Zayed International Prize for the Environment.

The use of hydrogen, which powers a fuel cell through a chemical reaction that creates electricity, enables far more efficient use of fossil fuels and existing energy sources, and provides zero emissions.

The Zayed International Prize, which is now worth $1 million, is the most valuable environmental prize in the world and has demonstrated great support of the Forum, according to conference CEO Heston Harper.

Harper said: "The increase in oil prices, coupled with decreasing reserves, means governments and corporations have to adopt new energy strategies to encompass stricter fuel efficiency and promoting the use of cleaner energy sources. One kilogram of hydrogen contains the same amount of energy as a gallon of gasoline, and hydrogen can be used alongside - or instead of - traditional fuels to maximise efficiency."

More than 200 government officials, academics and vendors of hydrogen fuel cell technology will gather at the Forum to share technological breakthroughs and lobby for the increased take-up of clean energy. The event has assembled unprecedented international attention and organizers hope this to be met with strong local interest and support. The inaugural speech will be given by His Excellency Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan Tamim, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police.

"This is part of a global drive to seek out ways to increase the efficiency of fossil fuels, which is being led by oil giants such as BP and Shell, who are spending millions of dollars every year on research into renewable energies and alternative fuels," said Harper.

"The facts are simple: the world consumes twice as much oil as it is discovering, so we need to find ways to make this oil last longer and do twice as much. The demand for oil will continue to grow, increasing by up to 40 per cent by 2025, driving demand from alternative energy sources such as wind, solar power, hydrogen and biomass."

"Governments and corporations are starting to recognise this by creating energy policies that promote economically viable - and environmentally friendly - strategies."

"As an organisation we are helping to build awareness of these technologies and are working on many fuel cell projects across six continents, however there is limited activity within the Middle East at this time, what we hope to do with our conference is change this position rapidly. The region is perfectly suited to these new technologies and their associated benefits and we look forward capitalizing on the interest already received and making significant market progress throughout Arabia."

Among the speakers already confirmed for the Forum are: Dr Mohamed bin Fahad, chairman of The Zayed International Prize for the Environment; Dr Roger Saillant, CEO Plug Power; Geoffrey Budd, Managing Director of Ballard Europe; Pierre Rivard, President and CEO of Hydrogenics, and Larry Burns, vice president of R&D and planning, General Motors.

The Middle East Forum on Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Economy will be held at Dubai Police Academy on December 6 - 7, 2005.