Spotlight on sustainability as inaugural edition of World ecoConstruct opens in Abu Dhabi 22.04.2012: WORLD ecoConstruct Summit and infrastructure ARABIA Summit put spotlight on sustainable construction and regional infrastructure development

WORLD ecoConstruct Summit and infrastructure ARABIA Summit put spotlight on sustainable construction and regional infrastructure development



caption: H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice-Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council toured the exhibition halls today at WORLD ecoConstruct.



The inaugural edition of WORLD ecoConstruct – the pioneering ‘green’ construction industry event has opened today at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), helping visitors to capitalise on sustainable methods of output from concept to completion.


The four-day exhibition, taking place from 22-25 April is putting a spotlight on the growth of global sustainable design and construction of the built environment, and will also be taking significant steps to being completely carbon neutral.


A new carbon offsetting initiative will result in 391 tonnes of CO2 generated from the event offset to support the installation of a locally based waste heat recovery unit project.


The event is co-located with the 6th edition of Cityscape Abu Dhabi – the region’s leading real estate development exhibition – and will bring together stakeholders from every stage of the construction industry supply chain.


Featuring 12 days worth of global summits, workshops and training courses, WORLD ecoConstruct is expected to attract more than 30,000 visitors and will be the centre of attention when industry heavyweights gather to learn how best to capitalise on innovative and sustainable construction.


The four-day WORLD ecoConstruct Summit running alongside the main exhibition also opened today hosting the largest assembly of leading policy makers, industry stakeholders and experts to discuss, debate and share best practice in green building design, materials and management.


H.E. Engineer Ahmed Mohamed Al Shareef, Undersecretary of the Abu Dhabi Department of Municipal Affairs (DMA), delivered the keynote speech, with one of the highlights of the opening day belonging to a panel discussion debating the viability profitability of sustainable building and design.


Ivar Krasinksi, Design Director at architecture firm STR-EDGE, UAE, and one of the speakers of the panel discussion said: “Companies on the client side can benefit considerably from sustainability just by insisting on integrated design since this approach can lower capital expenditure significantly. This means that sustainability actually helps the financial model of a construction project and the client’s bottom line.”


Another feature at WORLD ecoConstruct is the infrastructure ARABIA Summit, providing a focused platform for public and private sector engineering and infrastructure professionals in the region to discuss the latest issues affecting the industry.


Day one of the four-day summit opened with an address by H.E. Dr. Abdullah Ghareeb, Executive Director of the Municipal Affairs Support Services at the DMA, who provided an overview of how government agencies are collaborating to deliver the Abu Dhabi Vision 2030.


In addition to supporting WORLD ecoConstruct as Foundation Partner, the Abu Dhabi Department of Municipal Affairs (DMA) will also conduct training and awareness seminars on the latest environment, health and safety management systems and international building codes currently required by the Abu Dhabi government for all practicing building professionals.


Meanwhile visitors interested in witnessing the latest groundbreaking innovations and sustainable building solutions firsthand  can do so at The Future Build Showcase in Hall 7.


Developed in partnership with Sustainable Knowledge Partner Masdar City, the Future Build Showcase is an interactive feature designed to drive business offerings to the global construction industry while creating awareness of the importance of building sustainable low carbon cities and infrastructure for the future generations.


Tsitsi Lynn Makuni, Exhibition Director of WORLD ecoConstruct, said: “The market for green building materials is projected to reach $406 billion by 2015 with Middle East markets poised for the fastest growth.”


“Over the next four days, WORLD ecoConstruct will be buzzing as leading innovative manufacturers and suppliers showcase their latest sustainable and innovative construction materials, solutions and services to importers, buyers and government officials from across the Middle East.”


“The two summits and DMA training seminars will ensure an interactive and unique platform for the most respected leaders in the industry to share the latest green building technologies, debate the most controversial topics and come out with take-away kits of sustainable know-how.”


WORLD ecoConstruct is supported by Foundation Partner, the Department of Municipal Affairs, Sustainable Knowledge Partner Masdar City, Strategic Partner Emirates Green Building Council, Principal Sponsor Emirates Steel, Platinum Sponsor Rajhi Steel, Gold & Future Build Sponsor BASF, and is endorsed by the UAE Business Council for Sustainable Development.




.-Gareth Wright  Total Communications Dubai - also photo