Majid Al Futtaim, the major shopping mall, retail and leisure developer in the Middle East and North Africa, has become the first official Partner of WorldGBC’s MENA Regional Network.
The MENA Regional Network is made up of nine Green Building Councils: Emirates, Jordan, Qatar, Lebanon, Palestine, Morocco, Bahrain, Kuwait and Egypt. The role of a Partner is to help support Green Building Councils in the region.
The news comes as the COP22 climate change conference in Marrakech, Morocco, enters into its second week, with diplomats from countries around the world beginning high-level negotiations. Majid Al Futtaim Properties’ Head of Sustainability Ibrahim Al-Zu’bi is attending the conference and spoke at last week’s high profile ‘Buildings Day’ event.
Majid Al Futtaim is also a longstanding member of WorldGBC’s Corporate Advisory Board.
Terri Wills, CEO of WorldGBC, said:
“Our experience with Europe has shown that Regional Partners are vital to strengthen networks of Green Building Councils across different geographical areas.
“MENA will be no different, and we’re delighted to welcome Majid Al Futtaim as the first partner for this region, one which will play a major role in our goal to enable green buildings globally. As an existing member of our Corporate Advisory Board, Majid Al Futtaim is already demonstrating its strong commitment to sustainability and will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the MENA Regional Network.”
Ibrahim Al-Zu’bi said:
“With its rapid urbanisation, the MENA region is absolutely critical for the growth of green buildings globally – a message we are repeatedly hearing at the COP22 climate change conference in Morocco.
“By partnering on WorldGBC’s MENA Regional Network, in addition to its Corporate Advisory Board, Majid Al Futtaim will play a key role in ensuring that growth in the region is sustainable.”
Majid Al Futtaim spans 15 international markets and employs more than 33,000 people.
It was recently awarded the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) “Green Star” status for the third consecutive year, after being recognised for its sustainability leadership in eight categories, including new construction and major renovations. Majid Al Futtaim’s City Centre Mirdif shopping mall in Dubai is the largest building in the world to achieve LEED EBOM Gold certification.
For further information, visit: www.majidalfuttaim.com
