DUBAI – The Minister of Economy, Eng. Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, today inaugurated Sustainable Facilities Exhibition and Conference 2011 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Eng. Hussein Nasser Lootah, Director General of Dubai Municipality and other senior officials were present on the occasion.

The event, a program by Environment Centre for Arab Towns (ECAT) and dmg, will continue till 19 May and is aimed at raising awareness on the importance of less energy and water consumption and minimize environmental risks.

The Expo, region’s first green exhibition in construction and facilities management which runs alongside the FM EXPO and World FM Congress, will also debate how to increase life span of the buildings and create a healthy work environment.

Lootah said that sustainable development and climate change are the topics of international focus, thus the Municipality and ECAT are on the forefront of environmental protection tactics and policies.

“The world building industry accounts for almost 40% of global greenhouse gases and the facilities management industry is in the best position to help reduce such output. So working alongside Sustainable Facilities Expo, our partners at ECAT will be able to reach an influential audience with its message that the environment has no borders or political affiliations and as such we must work together so the region can better preserve the urban environments and protect them from pollution,” he added.

Mohamed Al Noori, Director of the Environmental Center for Arab Towns said: “The ECAT is a scientific research institute deals with environmental issues concerning Arab city’s natural resources, economic progress and sustainable development. It is in partnership with Dubai Municipality and Arab Towns Organization. We are perfectly placed to align with dmg: events and educate the market its responsibility and promote initiatives that reduce carbon emissions from any building.”

Event Director for FM EXPO and Sustainable Facilities Expo, David Wilson added: “Practical solutions that reduce energy costs are in demand especially as big construction developments present a higher carbon footprint. This is putting pressure on developers to balance carbon emissions during the lifecycle of the building and facility management companies are expected to provide this solution to developers and owners. But if the industry is to rise up to the challenge it needs the backing of governments and municipalities around the region who can help promotes FM at a board level – that is why we are honoured to be in partnership with the Dubai Municipality through the Environmental Center for Arab Towns.”

Article Courtesy of: http://www.khaleejtimes.com
Image Courtesy of: digitalart

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