Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC), an independent forum aimed at conserving the environment by strengthening and promoting green building practices, will host its first Annual Congress on November 27 and 28, 2012, at Grand Hyatt Dubai. The two-day event will focus on sustainable practices and innovations in the Middle East.

On the first day, representatives from several government bodies and thought leaders from all over the world will address the Congress on the region’s critical sustainability topics and relate them to the global green building movement. On the second day, EmiratesGBC will host its Annual General Meeting, which is open exclusively for members and will be followed by a series of afternoon workshops for delegates.

Adnan Sharafi, EmiratesGBC Chairman said: “The Annual Emirates Green Building Council Congress is a landmark initiative to foster industry dialogue and multiple stakeholder engagement in promoting sustainable building development.  The latest insights from the supply chain sector, to be shared by the foremost thinkers in the field from around the world, will further support our objective of developing and promoting best practices in sustainable development in the region.”

He added: “The Congress reiterates our commitment to further underline the UAE’s thought leadership in sustainable development initiatives. It will accelerate the activities, across the entire building supply chain, to work towards achieving the country’s vision of a Green Economy for Sustainable Development announced earlier this year by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President & Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.”

The interactive discussions at the Congress will place emphasis on the theme, ‘Innovations in Sustainability,’ where experts from local and regional organisations will discuss new innovations in the construction sector and share case studies.

Several panel sessions will be held throughout the day to debate on topics such as the role of sustainability rating systems globally and the driving force behind radical sustainable innovations. Case studies on the UAE and the MENA region’s experience in sustainable development will also be presented. The first day will conclude with a gala dinner.

The Annual General Meeting will review the Council’s accomplishments and future plans to reinforce its goals of driving the UAE’s green vision. As part of its objectives to strengthen awareness on promoting sustainable built environments, several workshops to share best practices in the industry, will be conducted by industry experts from both public and private entities.

EmiratesGBC regularly hosts and participates in multinational events, conferences and forums. The Council has also developed a suite of activities, including networking events, technical workshops, focus days and lecture series, and facilitates training based around specific issues related to the sustainable built-environment that meet the needs of the community and various stakeholders.

The first Annual EmiratesGBC Congress will be held in partnership with platinum sponsors Cemex Topmix LLC, Dow Chemical IMEA, Shaw Contract Group, and Trane. For inquiries on sponsorship opportunities and registration, please contact events@emiratesgbc.org  or call the EmiratesGBC at 04-3468244.

-ends-

Note to Editors

About Emirates Green Building Council:

The Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC) was founded in June 2006, and became the 8th full member of the World Green Building Council in September 2006. EmiratesGBC is an organization that promotes and educates on green issues in the built environment and is the official body for the UAE endorsed by the World Green Building Council. EmiratesGBC currently has around 260 members in the UAE which represents 1000s of individuals interested and involved in Green Building in the UAE and the region. In addition, EmiratesGBC members receive discounts on a number of programmes such as those related to conferences, seminars, training and green building events.

For further information, please contact:

Mohammed Al Tawil / Sheila Baldago

ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller

+9714 4507600

mohammed.altawil@bm.com / sheila.baldago@bm.com