Dubai, UAE; June 23, 2012: Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC) will host a networking event on Tuesday, June 26, 2012, to discuss the sustainable development initiatives adapted in the construction of Masdar City. The session will start from 6:30pm at the Centro Rotana Hotel in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.

Sponsored by Pittsburgh Corning Middle East, a leader in innovative glass technology for construction materials, and EcoCommercial Building Programme by Bayer MaterialScience, a global interdisciplinary network uniting all facets of eco‐friendly building, the two‐hour discussion will be led by the guest speaker, Chris Wan, Manager – City Design at Masdar City.

Adnan Sharafi, EmiratesGBC Chairman, said: “Masdar City has set industry benchmarks in pursuing sustainable development initiatives. The experience gained in developing the project will be invaluable for the entire construction supply chain, enabling other stakeholders to understand the challenges and best practices, and incorporate them into their development model.”

He added: “The Masdar City development model is being emulated by other organisations in the region. By bringing together all stakeholders to network and discuss the challenges and opportunities in developing sustainable built environments, EmiratesGBC is further fostering industry dialogue and encouraging more organisations to adapt sustainable practices.”

The focal point of the discussion will be on the resources available and applicable in the region and how the construction industry can adapt them to suit their sustainability goals. The EmiratesGBC networking event is open to both members and non‐members of the Council. Members have to pay AED 50, and non‐members AED 150. Interested participants can email their interest to: events@emiratesgbc.org.

As an independent forum aimed at conserving the environment by strengthening and promoting green building practices, EmiratesGBC’s networking sessions underline its commitment to supporting the UAE to reduce the ecological footprint of the building environment by 2015.

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 facilitates training on 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 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
m.altawil@asdaa.com /  s.baldago@asdaa.com