Dubai Chamber recognised for creating sustainable buildings

Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) recently added another prestigious award to its list of achievements by winning the 2021 US Green Building Council (USGBC) Middle East Leadership Award.

The Chamber was presented with the award during a virtual ceremony hosted by USGBC. The prestigious award recognised the Chamber for its outstanding efforts in creating a healthier and more sustainable buildings and communities.

Dubai Chamber’s headquarters is a prime example of one of the most efficient and environmentally friendly buildings in the Middle East. The Chamber has achieved LEED Platinum certification three times over the last 15 years, which is a testament to its commitment towards environmental stewardship.

Hamad Buamim, President & CEO, Dubai Chamber said: “Dubai Chamber is honoured to be named a 2021 USGBC Regional Leadership Award recipient by the US Green Building Council (USGBC). This achievement reaffirms the Chamber’s commitment towards sustainability and being a role model for the business community.”

He explained that the Chamber’s headquarters building is one of the first buildings in the region to certify under LEED EB O+M followed by LEED Platinum re-certifications over the years. He also noted that the campus of University of Dubai, an initiative of Dubai Chamber, achieved LEED Gold certification for New Construction and LEED Platinum certification for Existing Building Operations and Management following the completion of a solar project.

The university is currently pursuing LEED Zero certification.

Buamim noted that newly constructed Dubai Chamber extension building has been designed in line with LEED Building Design & Construction standards at the Platinum level. The Chamber is currently pursuing LEED ARC Parksmart accreditations. The building will use Solar PV systems and wind turbines to generate its own power.

“Following a difficult year, it is truly inspiring to recognse our green building leaders that have continued their commitment to green building and sustainable communities while adapting to the changing environments around us,” said Mahesh Ramanujam, President and CEO, USGBC. “The 2021 USGBC Leadership Award awardees have improved our world through the power of green building and it is their contributions and work that have helped our communities stay safe and healthy.”

The 2021 USGBC Leadership Award recipients represent some of the best of USGBC’s 10,000 member organisations, a network of committed professionals with more than 106,000 LEED commercial projects in more than 180 countries and territories around the world. The efforts of the awardees stand out as exceptional examples of sustainability leadership among a strong and growing network of projects, companies and individuals.

Established in 1965, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry is a non-profit public entity, whose mission is to represent, support and protect the interests of the business community in Dubai by creating a favourable business environment, supporting the development of business, and by promoting Dubai as an international business hub.

Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry provides an integrated system of smart and electronic services that cover all the requirements of the business community, enabling businesses to complete all their transactions remotely easily, easily and according to the highest international standards.

The Chamber is one of the pioneer provider of smart services, with smart transformation of 98 per cent of its core services, which can be accessed using the smart application of the Chamber or by visiting the website.

The COVID-19 has changed the dynamics of global trade as economies around the world deal with disruption in supply chains, address geopolitical challenges, invest in digital technologies and diversify exports, industry experts said during a panel discussion hosted by Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry recently.

The panel was held during a virtual event titled Global Trade - A Paradigm Shift, organised as part of the Chamber’s 360 Dialogue Series. The series offers a platform for knowledge-sharing and open dialogue on issues of particular interest to businesses in Dubai, while it supports the Dubai Chamber’s efforts to keep the business community informed of the latest economic developments and market trends.

Joining the discussion were Kebour Ghenna, Executive Director Pan African Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Dr Taimur Baig, Managing Director and Chief Economist, DBS Group Research; and Javier Pea Capobianco, Secretary-General, Association of Latin American Service Exporters.

The panellists shared valuable insights on key trends reshaping emerging market economies, the sustainability of supply chains, changes in trade finance and policies, and the increase of cross-border trade, in addition to the development of trade-related infrastructure and technology.