Speakers representing leading public and private sector entities to share views

on ‘Innovations in Sustainability’

Dubai, UAE; October 30, 2012: Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC), an independent forum aimed at conserving the environment by strengthening and promoting green building practices in the UAE, has announced its distinguished panel of speakers at its first Annual Congress to be held on November 27 and 28, 2012, at Grand Hyatt Dubai.

EmiratesGBC is organising the two-day Congress under the theme ‘Innovations in Sustainability’ with several leaders representing the foremost public and private sector entities to share their views on the Congress theme with the audience. They will focus on sustainable practices and innovations that can further lend momentum to the sustainable development initiatives, particularly relevant for the construction industry, at the Congress.

The event will commence with an address by the Vice Chairman of Dubai Supreme Council of Energy HE Saeed Al Tayer. Representatives from UAE Government authorities including HE Eng. Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director General of Dubai Municipality and HE Mohamed Al Khadar, Executive Director, Development Review & Estidama of Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council will deliver keynote addresses, along with the CEO of World Green Building Council, Jane Henley.

Adnan Sharafi, EmiratesGBC Chairman said: “EGBC Congress brings together local and federal key government players on a grand scale to shape the future of green building landscape in the UAE, together with international experts. Their participation is a true testament to the importance that the country places on sustainable development.”

“Concerted efforts across the entire supply chain are integral to driving sustainable built environments in line with the vision of the region’s governments. With the focus on innovation in sustainability, the EGBC Congress is expected to be a platform for building the momentum and demand for innovative solutions in the UAE, to further develop sustainable built environments in the region.”

He added: “The congress will also showcase a student competition for best green building illustrations and models as well workshop sessions and a gala dinner to recognise the council’s achievements and outstanding volunteers.”

At the Congress, will be four panel discussions to be moderated by an EmiratesGBC representative. The first session will focus on the ‘Long life comparison of Worldwide Certification Systems for Sustainable Building.’  The panel of rating system experts comprises Peter Templeton, President of US Green Building Certification Institute; Edwin Young, Program Manager for Estidama; Mohammad Asfour, Chairman of Jordan Green Building Council; Anand M, Senior Counselor of Indian Green Building Council; and Matthew Plumbridge, Consultant at Abu Dhabi Municipal Affairs’ Environmental & Sustainability Planning.

The second session on ‘Radical Sustainable Innovation,’ focuses on opportunities towards a new vision, will involve Ali Al Suwaidi, Vice President of Middle East Facility Management Association; Jane Boyle, Manager of Clean Energy & Sustainability Services at Ernst & Young; and Yousif Al Zarouni, Strategy and Delivery for Bee’ah.

The third session on high performance buildings will include Michel van Roozendaal of Trane; Dr. Ilham Kadri of Dow Chemical Company; Graham Russell of CEMEX; and Todd Jarvis of Shaw Industries, while the fourth panel comprises non-government organisations involved in sustainable development in the UAE. The panelists include: Adnan Sharafi of EmiratesGBC; Habiba Al Marashi of Emirates Environmental Group; Tamara Withers, CSR Programme Manager at Emirates Wildlife Society in association with WWF (EWS-WWF); and Dr. Hanan Taleb of BUID, who will discuss how they drive sustainability forward in the society.

Case studies will be presented by Christopher Charles Benninger, an award-winning professor and Principal Architect at Suzlon Energy; and Eman Al Madani, Corporate Social Responsibility Executive at the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

The first Annual EGBC Congress will be held in partnership with platinum sponsors Cemex Topmix LLC, Dow Chemical IMEA, Shaw Contract Group, and Trane. To register as a delegate, please log on to https://emiratesgbc.org/congress/.  For inquiries on sponsorship opportunities, please contactevents@emiratesgbc.org  or call the EmiratesGBC Headquarters at 04-3468244.

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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

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