JEDDAH: The Environmental Infrastructure Forum (EIF), conference and exhibition, will be held for the 2nd time in Jeddah, at the Hilton Hotel from the Jan. 27-29, 2013 bringing together senior government figures, business leaders and international industry innovators.
EIF conference and exhibition, will take place under the patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah, and has the full support of the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment, the Saudi Environmental Society, Jeddah Municipality, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and the Electricity and Co-generation Regulatory Authority.
Will De’Athe-Morris, marketing executive of BME Global, the organizers of EIF, told Arab News, Prince Abdullah bin Turki bin Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, the newly appointed Chairman of BME Global KSA and UNDP’s Kishan Khoday, will give key note speeches on the occasion.
“The majority of the participants are from Saudi Arabia and GCC countries, however; we also welcome representatives from the UK, USA, Taiwan, South Africa, Ghana, whom we have extended invitations to. The aim of this event is to increase knowledge of environmental issues and raise awareness,” said Morris.
According to Morris, UNDP official, Khoday, stated “The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is pleased to partner with the Presidency for Meteorology and Environment (PME) for the 2nd Environmental Infrastructure Forum (EIF), to bring forth global lessons and models for achieving greater environmental sustainability solutions to the region.”
Khoday also said, for the first time in world history, more humans now live in cities than in rural areas. This has far-reaching implications for social, economic and environmental dimensions of development. Cities consume the majority of energy, water and other resources, while producing the majority of air and water pollution.
“With Saudi Arabia’s urban-industrial expansion plans well underway, an urgent need exists to integrate low-emission and climate-resilient strategies, if the Kingdom is to achieve sustainable development goals,” he added.
Morris further commented, that there are a number of attractive investment opportunities in the GCC region, especially in the Kingdom. Reports show that in the next 10 years, $4.3 trillion will be spent on construction in the MENA region, and $750 billion has been allocated in Saudi Arabia for infrastructure, transport, social reform and mass housing. Not to mention a whopping $500 billion will be dedicated to energy, logistics and education. With the Kingdom investing so heavily in its future, opportunities for international organizations to capitalize on the government’s commitment to continuous national development are significant.
“Focusing primarily on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the EIF will examine, amongst other important topics, resilient cities, new city construction projects, and sustainable approaches, while paying specific attention to construction, material procurement, waste operation management, recycling, infrastructure development and conservation in industrial, commercial, and residential centers,” said Morris.
Last year an agreement to implement the National Environmental Awareness and Sustainable Development Program was signed between the Saudi Environmental Society (SENS) and heads of 14 municipalities from around the Kingdom.
SENS Chairman, and Head of the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME), Prince Turki bin Nasser bin Abdulaziz, stated that, “At a time of major growth in the construction and transportation sectors in the Kingdom and across the whole GCC region, now is the time to ensure that environmental measures are strongly incorporated within these projects, to ensure sustainability and the protection of the environment for generations to come.”
UN partners with 2nd EIF in Jeddah
