Global and regional experts on sustainability to address 5th EmiratesGBC Congress 2016 on Oct. 25 & 26 in Dubai

Some of the world’s foremost thought leaders in sustainability are making a beeline for Dubai to take part in the deliberations of the fifth EmiratesGBC Congress 2016 hosted by Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC), an independent forum aimed at conserving the environment by strengthening and promoting green building practices.

To be held on October 25 and 26 at Dusit Thani hotel in Dubai, under the patronage of the Ministry of Infrastructure Development, the fifth EmiratesGBC Congress is being held under the theme ‘UAE of the Future: Looking Backward as a Way Forward.’ International and regional experts on diverse areas relating to sustainable development have confirmed their participation.

Saeed Al Abbar, Chairman of EmiratesGBC, said: “The 5th EmiratesGBC Congress is once again underlining the thought leadership of the UAE in highlighting innovative approaches in sustainable development for the future. The theme and panel discussion sessions at the Congress have been tailored to present diverse perspectives that will assure deep insights to the participants.

“With experts from the region and across the world attending the Congress, it will serve as a referral point in the global discussions on promoting sustainable built environments. The participation of the eminent leaders in the field highlights the emergence of the Congress as a key global event that fosters dialogue and tangible action on our collective fight against environmental challenges in the built-environment.”

On the first day, Eng. Anwaar Al Shimmari, Director of Design, Ministry of Infrastructure Development, and Ahmed Bukhash, Director - Urban Planning, Dubai Creative Clusters Authority, will deliver keynote addresses at the opening ceremony. Saeed Al Abbar, Chairman of EmiratesGBC, will welcome the gathering, while Holley Chant, Executive Director – Corporate Sustainability at KEO will be the Congress Moderator.

A visual presentation on the ‘Buildings of the Future’ will be addressed by Talik Chalabi, Partner, Chalabi Architects (discussing Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Center); and Matthew Utley, Associate Principal, Grimshaw Architects (Expo 2020 Sustainability Pavilion).

An in-depth discussion on the Targets & Regulations of the Future, followed by a Q&A session with the audience, will be addressed by Fareed I. Bushehri, Regional Resource Efficiency Officer, UN Environment, West Asia Office.

He will then join a panel discussion on ‘Sustainable Buildings, Resilient Cities from the Global Context,’ along with Faisal Ali Hassan Rashid, Director, Demand Side Management, Dubai Supreme Council of Energy; and Chris Wan, Head, Design Management, Masdar City. The session will be moderated by Saeed Al Abbar.

Highlighting the innovations of the future is a presentation by Luciana Soledad Ledesma, Manager Innovation & Creativity, DEWA, which will be followed by a panel discussion on the Transport of the Future to be addressed by Huda Shaka, Associate - Planning, Arup; and Keith Miller, Director, ATKINS.

Addressing another insightful session on ‘Materials of the Future’ are Arjun Menon, Managing Director, Smart Box Industries; Hubert Thaler, General Manager, Fujairah Rockwool Factory; Eirini Matsouki, Associate – Sustainability & Energy, WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff; Rania Haddad, Business Development Manager, Caparol; and Sumeet Parkar, Product Manager, Caparol.

The second day of the Congress is devoted to a guided tour to the Sheikh Mohammed Center for Cultural Understanding, House 26 in the Al Fahidi Historic Neighbourhood (Bastakiya) in Bur Dubai, to put the spotlight on heritage and sustainable architecture. It will be followed by a facilitated discussion led by Scott Coombes, Director, AESG.

An annual gathering of experts, who represent diverse sectors of the sustainable built environment and related industries, the Congress will highlight how the nation’s success in green buildings can be leveraged to formulate a roadmap of the future in line with UAE Vision 2021 and the objectives of the Paris COP21 Climate Agreement. The Congress will look at how the future of urban environments has been historically perceived and also unveil designs submitted by leading architecture firms to support the sustainable development vision of the UAE.

Registration for the event is open at http://emiratesgbc.org/2016congress/. Registration fee is AED 1,000 for EmiratesGBC member/partner and AED 1,500 for non-members. Students can attend the event with a registration fee of only AED 250.

EmiratesGBC Congress 2016 is supported by Jotun Paints and Caparol Paints LLC as Platinum Sponsors and Multiplex as Silver Sponsor.

EmiratesGBC has 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.