Dr Alzeyoudi Heads the 8th edition of ‘Forum for Best Practices in the Field of Municipal Works’

Thursday 02 June 2016

Dubai - MENA Herald: Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Rashid bin Saud bin Rashid Al Mu’alla, Crown Prince of Umm Al Quwain and Head of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Umm Al Quwain, the 8th edition of the ‘Forum for Best Practices in the Field of Municipal Works’ was held today at the Cultural Center of the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, under the overarching theme “Emirati Cities and Climate Change: Going Beyond New Global Directions 2015 – 2030”.

Headed by His Excellency Dr. Thani Alzeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, the forum was hosted by Umm Al Quwain Municipality and organized by the Department of Municipal Affairs in coordination with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and the organizing team of the Forum for Best Practices in the Field of Municipal and Environment Works.

Participating entities presented several papers that discussed ways to reduce the effects of climate change, best practices and the role of eco-friendly technologies in creating efficient and sustainable cities.

The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment presented a paper titled “The Climate Change Phenomena – a UAE Perspective” while the Environment Agency in Abu Dhabi presented a paper on “The Role of Abu Dhabi in Managing Climate Change and the Adaptation and Mitigation Initiatives”. In addition, the UAE University presented a paper on “The Green Economy and the Role of Eco-Friendly Technologies in Reducing Climate Change.”

During the keynote speech, H.E. Dr. Alzeyoudi said: “Forums, such as this, serve as a launch pad for scaling new horizons in innovation. This year’s forum for best practices in the field of municipal works aims to develop joint efforts with the municipalities and other relevant entities in the UAE. We must work closely together to overcome any challenges in order to achieve our goals and objectives that are supported by our nation’s leadership.”

H.E. Dr. Alzeyoudi added: “Given the fact that the world is beginning to grasp the effects of climate change and the related challenges, the chosen theme for the forum this year is ‘Emirati Cities and Climate Change’. It is indeed a significant step that through the United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change, the global community has taken various steps in response to these challenges and to limit the global warming to – the preindustrial – two degrees.”

As part of the agenda during the forum, directors of various municipalities in the UAE, as well as federal and government entities, individuals from relevant universities and associations related to the environment and climate change and all those specialized in municipal work presented case studies and strategies on best practices. In addition, companies engaged in the environment, sustainable development and climate change domains presented eco-friendly technical solutions and green products. Governmental partnerships in municipal work and the development of information exchange mechanisms was also discussed as part of the agenda.

Obeid Sultan Tuwairish, Acting Director of Umm Al Quwain Municipality, said: “This forum is in line with recently launched initiatives and partnerships to address the issue of climate change – a topic that is discussed in the local, regional and international environmental scene. The UAE is focused on addressing the subject of climate change through research into the issues of environment, water and global warming. These topics are a priority in the UAE’s strategy and agenda, in order to achieve environmental security and sustainable growth. For a completely sustainable environment, the UAE supports innovation and invests in safe alternative energy and the diversification of resources and is against relying on a single source of energy.”

Several papers and projects from the sector were also presented during the forum. For its part, the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy showcased a model for ‘Energy Management for a Sustainable Future’. The Dubai Municipality presented the ‘Dubai Strategy for Adapting to Climate Change’ while the Municipal and Planning Department in Ajman presented a paper on the ‘Partnership between the Government and Private Sectors in Projects that Work on Reducing the Effects of Climate Change’.

In addition, Abu Dhabi Municipality presented a system on the ‘Efficient Management of Energy’ and the Fujairah Municipality highlighted elements of the ‘Smart Car that Measures the Quality of Air in Fujairah’.

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