Marks Earth Hour as Part of Commitment to Sustainable Development

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 24 March, 2013 - Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) today announced it has received an accreditation from the Abu Dhabi Environment, Health and Safety Center (Abu Dhabi EHS Center) that reaffirms the company's compliance to the Abu Dhabi Environment, Health and Safety Management System Regulatory Framework (EHSMS RF).

The certification also reflects ADNEC's commitment to developing innovative solutions and initiatives that promote public health and occupational safety across all its facilities and activities for the benefit of partners, contractors, exhibitors and visitors.

Khaled Alsafi Al Hashmi, Chief Operating Officer at ADNEC, said: "The accreditation has recognised our devotion to operating sustainably and will serve as an effective driver towards achieving our environmental goals. In pursuit of these objectives, we work consistently in enhancing our environmental, security and health performance. In addition to monitoring our work periodically to ensure our progress in the right direction, we prepare regular reports that raise awareness on the importance of a healthy and safe business environment.

"Our stringent environment, health and safety standards have significantly helped us achieve our corporate milestones and outstanding results each year. Today, ADNEC sets a successful example in the UAE industry, especially since health and safety is a core part of its business values. We encourage all organisations across the country to adopt the same methodology and pledge for safeguarding the health and safety of their stakeholders."

Over the years, ADNEC has registered unmatched performance at all its facilities in terms of scope of business, infrastructure development and the annual events it hosts. In 2012, ADNEC held 360 events and welcomed 1.4 million visitors, which required placing an ideal business platform that fulfils the occupational health, safety and environment standards.

Furthering its efforts, ADNEC will play a key role in highlighting the importance of occupational, health and environmental safety and share its knowledge and experience with contractors in the exhibitions and events industry.

Al Hashmi added: "As part of our strategic goal for 2013, in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Environment, Health and Safety Center and other relevant entities, ADNEC will seek to develop a framework to promote occupational health, safety and environmental standards for all exhibitions and events hosted in Abu Dhabi, which in turn will provide an ideal environment for exhibitors, visitors and contactors."

ADNEC has undertaken a number of initiatives for 2012 and 2013 to endorse its commitment to sustainability and achieved exceptional results in its recycling programme. The company will also organise workshops for partners to educate them about the frameworks and standards of occupational security and safety for professionals in the sector.

As part of its efforts to support sustainable development, the company also marked the Earth Hour on 23 March, switching off lights in all their facilities from 8:30pm to 09:30pm.

Al Hashmi concluded: "Taking part in Earth Hour endorses our strategy to protect the environment and promote sustainability across all our facilities. In addition, it supports the UAE government and Abu Dhabi's direction in saving, reducing and sustaining the use of energy for future generations. Our natural resources are vital and have diminished tremendously due to misuse. We aim to raise public awareness through this initiative on the risks of climate change and the importance of reducing our carbon footprint, the primary challenge facing our planet today."

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About ADNEC
Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) is a strategic international venue development and management company. ADNEC's venue portfolio includes one of the most modern exhibition centres in the world, the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, and the UK capital's largest exhibition and conference venue, ExCeL London, and Al Ain Convention Centre in Al Ain.

ADNEC creates the ideal environment for Abu Dhabi's rapidly growing events industry. The projects surrounding the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre include: Capital Centre, a mixed-use development of 23 residential, commercial and mixed-use towers adjacent to the exhibition centre; Capital Gate, the iconic 35 storey record-breaking leaning tower that offers 14 storeys of grade A office space along with the 5-star Hyatt Capital Gate hotel; the interconnected four-star Aloft Hotel; and a 20,000sqm waterfront quayside (Marina). 

The company also owns BoxOfficeME, the region's most advanced and high-tech ticket vendor, which complements its event facilities in the UAE; and Al Maa'red Weddings, ADNEC's specialist weddings consultancy.   

For more information visit www.adnec.ae; www.excel-london.co.uk; www.capitalgate.ae; www.boxofficeme.com.

Media contacts
Wael Kanakri
Tel: +971 (0) 2 444 6900
Fax: +971 (0) 2 444 6135
Wael.kanakri@adnec.ae

© Press Release 2013