The Ministry of Environment and Water opened the 7th Forum for Best Practices in the Field of Municipal Work today at the Rixos Bab al Bahr Resort in Ras al Khaimah. Held under the theme ‘Sustainable Buildings,’ the Forum was launched by H.E. Dr. Rashid Ahmed Bin Fahad, Minister of Environment and Water, and was organized by the Ministry’s Coordinating Council of Municipal Affairs in collaboration with Ras Al Khaimah Municipality. The event featured the participation of municipal managers along with a number of senior officials and managers across Ras Al Khaimah Municipality’s various sectors and departments, as well as about 150 specialists in the field of municipal work.
During his inaugural speech, H.E. Dr. Bin Fahad said that the increasingly demanding lifestyle that can be found in urban areas across the UAE has given rise to notable environmental consequences, including increased water and energy consumption as well as the rise of waste and gas emissions, with recorded resource consumption rates at higher levels compared with international figures. He noted the concern of the local authorities, who are implementing a set of measures and procedures to address these environmental concerns.
This includes the adoption of green architecture, which is garnering attention for its great potential to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings. H.E. Dr. Bin Fahad stated that it is important to study this approach and the environmental, social and economic benefits that it has to offer as an innovative construction method. He added that such tools and pioneering initiatives are essential in the country’s move to meet its sustainable development goals.
Aside from the green architecture approach adopted by the UAE over the past few years, the country’s leadership has also implemented an important set of policies towards the diversification of energy sources, sustainable transport and cleaner production, and the promotion of the efficient use of resources. These policies have paved the way for transforming the national economy to a sustainable green economy – a pivotal element for the sustainability of the UAE’s green development strategy.
H.E. Dr. Bin Fahad said: “The UAE ranked eighth globally in the U.S. Green Building Council index of LEED-certified spaces for 2015. There is no doubt that this is a remarkable achievement and that in order to maintain our leading role in sustainable building, we must invest in technical progress and adapt to the modern and innovative trends, especially in the field of urban planning and engineering design. There must be a stronger focus on applying and integrating green architecture standards across all levels. Investment opportunities available in other relevant policies and strategies must be highlighted and more awareness must be cultivated with regards to the UAE's strategy for green development which features ‘Green Cities’ and ‘Green Life’ programs which count among the main tracks of the six track strategy.”
The Minister of Environment and Water said that the 7th edition of the forum will focus on the establishment of green buildings and the economic, social and environmental impacts of the construction sector. This will greatly help intensify the nation’s efforts to develop its cities and ensure their capacity to accommodate the rapidly growing population by turning them into smart and environmentally-sustainable urban areas that can provide an enhanced quality of life to both residents and tourists in line with UAE Vision 2021 and the National Agenda.
Munther Mohammed Bin Shakar, General Manager of the Department of Municipal, Municipality of Ras Al Khaimah, noted during his speech that the wise leadership led by H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, has paved the way for great strides and landmark achievements in the field. He emphasized the importance of strengthening communication channels and maximizing the expertise of highly qualified professionals in order to facilitate the growth and development of the UAE. He said that the Ras Al Khaimah Municipality is optimistic of achieving modernization and complementing the nation’s active efforts promote a culture of innovation and excellence.
A total of nine working papers were also reviewed and were the main topics of conversation during the forum. The reviews served as important elements in the active efforts to effectively integrate capabilities of the municipalities of the state and consolidate the work of relevant authorities to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and expertise among people working in the field of sustainable construction.
The forum is considered an important platform as it gathers officials and representatives from urban districts in the municipal and environmental sectors. It also helps enhance best practices and promotes the development of outstanding applications through research, studies, and the integration of a unified standard for establishing a vision for the future.