MoU signed at Abu Dhabi-Singapore Joint Forum

Abu Dhabi, 8 May 2012: In its ongoing endeavour to promote urban planning strategies and best practices, Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC), today entered into a cooperation agreement with Singapore's Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), as the two entities signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to gain and share firsthand experience on internationally recognized urban planning strategies, methods and best practices.  

The MoU was announced at the 6th Abu Dhabi-Singapore Joint Forum (ADSJF) held under the co-chairmanship of H.E. Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Affairs Authority (EAA) and Mr Lee Yi Shyan, Singapore's Minister of State for Trade and Industry and Manpower. The agreement was signed by H.E Falah Mohammed Al Ahbabi, General Manager, Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) and Mr. Ng Lang, Chief Executive Officer of Singapore Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA).

Highlighting the importance of the agreement, which is part of ongoing collaborations between the Abu Dhabi and Singapore governments, H.E. Falah Al Ahbabi said: "Knowledge and best practices exchanges are key to developing benchmark urban cities and complete communities sustainable for the next generation. The MoU signed today formally sets a framework to exchange information and experience between the UPC and URA and will give us the opportunity to conduct in depth studies and researches on selected areas dedicated to urban development strategy".

Under the agreement, both entities will collaborate to create benchmark urban planning policies and initiatives that are closely integrated with land use, infrastructure and transportation solutions. The mutual working relationships will serve as the ideal platform to explore and identify opportunities and cooperation to exchange best practices. The assigned objective for both entities is to further enhance the multi-stakeholder, integrative and consultative approach already initiated and that integrates and promotes the economic, socio-cultural and environmental dimensions of sustainable urban development.

Under the MoU and to maximize the knowledge transfer process, mutual staff exchange programs will be arranged. The agreement also covers organizing forums on urban planning and development that would pave the way for private sector companies in Singapore to participate in sharing and networking sessions with key stakeholders of the planning and development industry in Abu Dhabi as well as UPC's active participation to the World Cities Summit that will take place in Singapore in July 2012.

URA Chief Executive Officer Mr. Ng Lang said: "The MoU provides a framework for URA and UPC to exchange views and experiences in urban planning to enhance each other's planning expertise. It will deepen the relationship between URA and UPC and strengthen ties between Abu Dhabi and Singapore".

Both entities will collaborate to create initiatives that are closely integrated with land use, infrastructure and transportation solutions. The mutual working relationships will serve as the ideal platform to explore and identify opportunities and cooperation to exchange best practices.

"Abu Dhabi Vision 2030 has laid the foundations for benchmark regional master plans that recognize and respond to cultural, socio-economic and spatial diversity. In the post global financial crisis era, it is essential for Abu Dhabi and Singapore to continue to address the topic of "Resilience"  and ensure continuous diversified urban development and efficiency to remain attractive places to reside, visit or do business to share valuable experiences," concluded Al Ahbabi.

The MoU agreement follows an official UPC delegation visit to the URA in Singapore, led by H.E Falah Al Ahbabi, General Manager of UPC in February 2012 and a recent delegation visit from the Republic of Singapore led by Mr. Ng Lang, CEO of URA to the UPC headquarters in Abu Dhabi.

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About the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council:
The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council was created by Law number 23 of the year 2007 and is the agency responsible for the future of Abu Dhabi's urban environments, and the expert authority behind the visionary Plan Abu Dhabi 2030 Urban Structure Framework Plan published September 2007.  Chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council defines the shape of the Emirate, ensuring factors such as sustainability, infrastructure capacity, community planning and quality of life, by overseeing development across the city and the Emirate as a whole.  The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council ensures best practice in planning for both new and existing urban areas.

The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council's primary purpose is to deliver upon the vision of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, Ruler of Abu Dhabi for the continued fulfilment of the grand design envisaged by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the ongoing evolution of Abu Dhabi as a global capital city.  By drawing on urban planning expertise locally, throughout the GCC and around the world, the UPC strives to be a global authority on the future of urban planning and design.

For more information please contact:
Jean-Philippe Coulaud
Corporate Communications Director
Direct: +971 2 409 6095
Email: Jphilippe.coulaud@upc.gov.ae
Web: www.upc.gov.ae

Fouad Kassem
Public Affairs and Media Relations Manager
Direct: +971 2 409 6059
Mobile: +971 50 632 4150
Email: Fouad.Kassem@upc.gov.ae

© Press Release 2012