• WGBC MENA Network discusses work strategy for green building councils in the region
• Emirates GBC to soon shift operations to new headquarters in Al Joud Centre, Dubai, set to be first BREEAM assessed building in the region and aiming for LEED Commercial Interiors Rating

Dubai, UAE; March 16, 2011: The first-ever regional meeting of the World Green Building Council Middle East and North Africa Network (WGBC MENA) was hosted by Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC) at Room Atrium 2 in The Metropolitan Hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai, UAE.

To coincide with the historic meeting, EmiratesGBC also announced the shifting of its office premises shortly to Al Joud Centre on Sheikh Zayed Road, near office interchange 3, which is being developed to international ‘green’ best practices.

The WGBC MENA Network meeting, chaired by EmiratesGBC, represented by Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Egypt, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, Jordan and Palestine, discussed a working strategy for GBCs in the region highlighting the challenges and opportunities in developing sustainable built environments in the region.

Dr Sadek Owainati, Founding Chairman, WGBC MENA Network, said: “The first-ever meeting of the Network brings a new dimension to the committed work of the various Green Building Councils in the region to promote sustainable building development. The meeting highlights the concerted efforts undertaken by the various Councils and its members in promoting a culture of sustainable development, which is extremely crucial in meeting modern-day challenges including climate change, and a growing demand for energy.”

Mr Adnan Sharafi, Chairman, EmiratesGBC, said: “The WGBC MENA Network is a pioneering initiative that aims to strengthen the culture of sustainable building practices across the region. The first networking session not only highlighted the importance of developing sustainable-built environments in the region but also evaluated the current landscape and the key challenges to be addressed.”

He added: “The network session was unanimous that driving green building development is key to the sustainable development goals of the regional governments. Green buildings are relatively new to the region, and it is imperative that the thought leaders from the industry join hands to share best practices that will serve as a roadmap for all green building council members.”

The WGBC MENA Network was initiated on September 14, 2010, as a co-operation between EmiratesGBC, QatarGBC and JordanGBC to promote coordination between green building councils in the region and the provide a platform to achieve the highest level of sustainable built environments. The meeting, now held in Dubai, underscores the emphasis that the World Green Building Council places on the Middle East & North Africa region, encouraging the creation of a dedicated MENA network.

In addition to interactive sessions that highlighted the vision, mission, objectives and guiding principles of the MENA GBC Network, the session also discussed active work plans, and concluded with a tour of the participants to the Masdar City, the pioneering sustainable city development in Abu Dhabi.

The new office of EmiratesGBC, which will serve as a model for sustainable buildings, is billed to be the first building in the region to be assessed by BREEAM (BRE Environmental Assessment Method), the leading and most widely used environment assessment method for buildings, which sets the standard for best practice in sustainable design and is regarded as the de facto measure for describing a building’s environmental performance. The office interiors will also go for a LEED Commercial Interiors Rating.

Aimed at conserving the environment by strengthening and promoting green building practices in the UAE, EmiratesGBC regularly hosts and participating in multinational events, conferences and forums. The 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.

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 industry body 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.

The 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 related conferences, seminars, training and green building events.

For further information, please contact:
Mohammed Al Tawil / Sheila Baldago
ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller
Tel: +9714 3344550
m.altawil@asdaa.com /  s.baldago@asdaa.com