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 21 and 22, 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 Dr Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, 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 U.A.E. 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 U.A.E. 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 U.A.E., 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 U.A.E.’s development strategy including the ‘green economy for sustainable development’ announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the U.A.E. 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 U.A.E. – 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.
Source : WAM News Agency for United Arab Emirates
