• 2-day session on October 20 and 21, to focus on local advances in sustainable cities as well as regional and international case studies in urban planning
• Building tours and short seminars will highlight the role of different sectors in building sustainable cities

Dubai, UAE; August 18, 2014: The third Annual Congress of Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC), an independent forum aimed at conserving the environment by strengthening and promoting green building practices, will be held on October 20 and 21, 2014, in Dubai, under the theme, ‘Sustainable Cities of the Future.’

The largest of its kind gathering of experts representing the sustainable built environment, the EmiratesGBC Annual Congress will be held under the patronage of His Excellency Dr Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, UAE Minister of Public Works.

Stakeholders representing the entire building industry supply chain including high-ranking government officials as well as educationalists and sustainability experts from across the region will attend the Congress. Several eminent international subject experts will present technical papers at the event.

The Annual Congress will include keynote addresses by UAE government representatives on diverse aspects of the country’s sustainable development initiatives. Local, regional and international perspectives on sustainability will be highlighted at the Congress in addition to the latest technologies and policies that enable the development of sustainable cities. A number of case studies on urban planning and sustainable built environments from across the world will be presented in addition to insightful discussions on meeting the challenges of a sustainable urban future.
The second day of the Congress includes tours of sustainable buildings in the UAE and short seminars that highlight the role of various sectors in creating sustainable cities.

Saeed Al Abbar, Chairman of EmiratesGBC, said: “The first two editions of the Annual EmiratesGBC Congress set a strong platform for strengthening awareness and promoting innovative initiatives in the sustainable built environments of the UAE. Now, we are moving to the next realm of discussion, with a focus on creating sustainable cities, in line with the vision of the regional governments.”

He added: “The UAE, for example, is at the forefront in creating sustainable cities for the future, with several ambitious developments in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. These smart, green cities focus on various aspects including energy and water efficiency, as well as the integration of mobility and sustainability factors across their design, construction and management. This year’s Congress, therefore, presents a comprehensive overview of how to approach urban planning for the future.”

Al Abbar said that the Congress’s theme also reflects two fundamental pillars of the UAE’s development strategy including the ‘green economy for sustainable development’ announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy, which aims to reduce energy demand by 30 per cent by 2030 in addition to diversifying energy resources.

“The built environment has a critical role to play in achieving energy efficiency. While this will be a central factor of our discussions, we are also highlighting how various other sectors – especially healthcare, retail and hospitality, which are core economic sectors of the UAE – can contribute to sustainable cities,” he added.
The EmiratesGBC Annual Congress is expected to further influence sustainable practices in the UAE’s built environment and catalyse innovation in green building practices, as well as lead to new business models that place emphasis on the interests of the future generations. By sharing best practices, the Congress will facilitate a new channel for learning, networking and capacity building among the various stakeholders in the building industry.

EmiratesGBC offers various sponsorship opportunities for organisations to support the Congress. These packages assure an array of benefits including branding on-site and on the website of EmiratesGBC, speaking opportunities at the event, and exhibition space to promote their products and services. For more information, contact info@emiratesgbc.org or events@emiratesgbc.org, or call +9714 3468244.

EmiratesGBC regularly hosts and participates in multinational events, conferences and forums. EmiratesGBC has also developed a suite of activities, inclusive of networking events, technical workshops, focus days and facilitated training based around specific issues related to the built-environment that meet the needs of its members, of the UAE community, and the wider Middle East.

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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 organisation 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:

Kelly Home / Mohammed Al Tawil

ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller

+9714 4507600

kelly.home@bm.com / mohammed.altawil@bm.com