6th Annual EmiratesGBC Congress in Dubai on Oct. 17 & 18

The sixth Annual EmiratesGBC Congress to be held on October 17 and 18 at the Pullman Dubai Creek City Center hotel, under the theme ‘Urban Energy: Powering Smart, Happy & Efficient Cities’ will highlight the various aspects of promoting human well-being in urban cities. Hosting global experts in the field of sustainability, the Congress is one of the most-anticipated industry events that presents the green vision of the UAE and the region in the context of built environments. 

Registration to the Congress is also open with a registration fee of AED 750 for members and partners of EmiratesGBC as well as the Supporting Associations of the Congress, and AED 1,000 for non-members and AED 250 for students.  

In addition to in-depth discussions by global energy management experts, the Congress will present a keynote presentation via video on well-being by John Alker, Campaign and Policy Director; Steering Committee Better Places for People, UK Green Building Council; World Green Building Council. He will share the learnings from the first-of-a-kind ‘Wellbeing Lab’ that was launched by UKGBC in September 2016.

Eleven project teams with participants spanning the breadth of the built environment sector, were welcomed onto the programme, each showing commitment to UKGBC’s goal of transforming the way we think about, design and manage working spaces. The insights shared by Alker will be invaluable in creating built environments in the region with the wellbeing of its occupants as the prime consideration. 

Saeed Al Abbar, Chairman of EmiratesGBC, said: “The response to the sixth Annual EmiratesGBC Congress has been exceptional. The event serves as an annual window into the best practices in developing and managing sustainable built environments, and will provide further impetus in our concerted efforts to achieve the green vision of the UAE and the wider region. We have expert professionals and industry thought leaders who will share their real-world experiences that can help the construction industry to achieve transformational milestones in their commitment to ensuring sustainable built environments.”

The sixth Annual EmiratesGBC Congress will be carbon-neutral, continuing on the trend set by the Council in previous events. All the emissions from power consumption, heat energy and refrigeration, among other infrastructure; the journeys of participants to the event; catering and lodging for the participants, and event-specific materials and waste is being calculated, and will be offset against a clean energy project.

Held under the patronage of the Ministry of Climate Change & Environment, the Congress has secured strong industry support. AkzoNobel is the Principal Sponsor, Majid Al Futtaim is the Venue Sponsor and Clean Energy Business Council, Emirates Environmental Group, EWS-WWF and Middle East Facility Management Association are Supporting Associations.

On the first day, the Congress will host panel discussions and keynote speeches centred on three sub-themes: Powering Efficient Cities, Powering Smart Cities and Powering Happy Cities.  Each session will be addressed by experts in the field. The second day will be dedicated to a field visit to City Center Me'aisem where a workshop and a Green Building Tour of the LEED Platinum Core and Shell Property will take place.

EmiratesGBC regularly hosts and participates in multinational events, conferences and forums. It 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.