Dubai, UAE - Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Honorary President of Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC) and CEO of Alliances for Global Sustainability (AGS), will inaugurate the Annual EmiratesGBC Congress on November 17 & 18 under the theme ‘Building a Sustainable Future in Uncertain Times.’
An independent forum aimed at conserving the environment by strengthening and promoting green building practices, EmiratesGBC’s Annual Congress, held under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, will bring global experts together to focus on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the construction and building sector and the new opportunities to build a sustainable and resilient future for the UAE and the region through its buildings and cities.
With registration now open and with the aim of ensuring wider impact across the MENA region, the first day of the Congress will be held virtually and the second day of the event will be an in-person event at Pullman Dubai Creek City Centre Dubai, with the proceedings to be live-streamed for a larger online audience.
Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan will deliver a special opening address to kick off the first day of the Congress on November 17.
Supported by Majid Al Futtaim and Knauf as the Platinum Partners, and Cundall and Ramboll as Session Sponsors, the Congress will cover topics such as ‘Crisis to recovery: market overview for the green building sector’ to be addressed by Dr. Nasser Saidi, Chairman, Clean Energy Business Council; Cristina Gamboa, CEO, WorldGBC; and Dr. Marc Weiss, Global Urban Development.
Another key component is a dialogue on ‘Circular economy in the built environment’ to be addressed by Dr. Cristina Raab, Vice President, Cradle to Cradle Products; Helen Burdett, Lead, Circular Economy & Innovation, World Economic Forum; and Engineer Othaiba Al Qaydi, Ministry of Climate Change & Environment. On day 2 of the Congress representatives of Dubai Health Authority, DEWA and Masdar will present project case studies and private sector speakers will discuss how commitments to climate action and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals can support organisations in these uncertain times. Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Honorary President of EmiratesGBC and CEO of Alliances for Global Sustainability, said: “With real estate development being an important sector in the UAE, I am honoured to support the EmiratesGBC Congress this year. Sustainability is a key factor to a green economy in a post COVID-19 world. The responsibility lies in the hands of all the stakeholders in this industry to work together and bring in-country investment.”
She added: “Through forums such as the Annual EmiratesGBC Congress, we have the opportunity to transition towards a more regenerative circular economy. As the UAE approaches its Golden Jubilee, we should strive to extend the life cycle of all that we build and create without harming the environment and explore new avenues to make this a reality.”
His Excellency Ali Al Jassim, Chairman of EmiratesGBC, said: “With the 9th Annual EmiratesGBC Congress and the MENA Green Building Awards, our aim is to bring the industry together by fostering dialogue among regional and international experts to promote sustainable practices in the built environment. In the uncertain times that follows the COVID-19 pandemic, we must support each other to ensure excellent skill and knowledge transfer within the construction sector. We are thankful to the support we have received from our guest of honour and sponsors for the annual forum. EmiratesGBC is committed to support the private and public sector in the UAE to fulfil the ‘Zero Carbon Buildings for All’ initiative.”
The winners of the MENA Green Building Awards will also be honoured during a ceremony on the evening of November 18 following the closing of the Congress.
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