The event hosted the UAE National Team competing in the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019.

As the official partner for the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019, the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) organised an open day yesterday (Wednesday, March 6, 2019) titled "Energy Is Interaction".

The event hosted the UAE National Team competing in the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019, along with employees and officials from the Department of Energy and members of the community and the media. Held at the Danat Hotel Al Ain Resort, where the UAE National Team is staying and training, the event boasted an agenda full of sports and entertainment activities.

Participating DoE staff members presented a model for community participation, bringing together people from all segments of society to support the national team, raise morale ahead of the Games, promote the Department’s objectives, and underline the energy sector’s role in Abu Dhabi’s success in all fields.

The "Energy Is Interaction" Open Day is part of the "Powering the Olympics" campaign, launched by the Department of Energy to organise initiatives and events across Abu Dhabi City and at venues set to host the Games. The event coincides with the launch of the international "Spread the Word, Inclusion" campaign by the organising committee for the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019.

The campaign aims to engage People of determination and empower them in their schools, workplaces, and communities around the world. It is committed to creating well-equipped spaces and enabling environments for them to learn, work, and live in dignity, as well as to eradicate discrimination, combat stereotypes, celebrate diversity, and raise awareness about the great potential that this segment of society has to offer.

H.E. Eng. Awaidha Murshed Al Marar, Chairman of the Department of Energy, said: "The ‘Energy Is Interaction’ Open Day reflects the Department of Energy’s strategic objectives to ensure the Emirate of Abu Dhabi excels in all the events it hosts. It promotes the DoE’s objectives to highlight energy as a key component in sustainable development, in addition to celebrating the UAE National Team competing in the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 – a national occasion that brings together all segments of the community."

"The event offered a platform to present a model for community participation in major events, as well as to encourage attendees to adopt environmentally friendly practices, renewable energy resources, and energy-saving consumption habits in their homes," H.E. Al Marar added.

"By hosting the UAE National Team competing in the Special Olympics World Games, we are celebrating these Emirati athletes who represent our community, our values, and our principles rooted in coexistence and tolerance," the DoE Chairman noted. "These are values we share with the international ‘Spread the Word, Inclusion campaign, and we look forward to working hand in hand with global partners to empower People of Determination and expand their role in society and in sustainable development in the UAE and the world."

The Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 are taking place in the UAE Capital on March 14-21, 2019, welcoming more than 7,000 athletes from over 170 countries.