22 March 2017

In collaboration with GCC Standardization Organization (GSO) and Qatar General Organization for Standardization (QS), Gulf Organization for Research and Development (GORD), which also holds the presidency of the GSO Technical Sub Committee for Green Building -TC06), hosted the meeting in Doha, on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 21 to 22, 2017 with the participation of countries from the Gulf Cooperation Council.

The meeting commenced with the welcome address by Committee Chairman Dr. Yousef Alhorr (Founding Chairman of GORD). In his address, he said: "We are pleased to have the honor of the presidency of the committee for the state of Qatar. We warmly welcome all members of the Committee and appreciate their efforts of mutual cooperation and coordination. It is indeed beneficial to have such committees formed between the Arab Gulf countries, which will definitely contribute to the upgrading of specifications of materials and equipment for green buildings and their performance standards suited to our environment and the climate of the region."

Also, speaking on behalf of the Standardization Organization of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Engineer Mohammed Al Dablan said: "It is very important to establish such committees as this committee in particular will play a major role in standardization at the level of the GCC countries. I would also like to acknowledge Qatar General Organization for Standardization and Gulf Organisation for Research and Development for their valuable contributions to this Committee in the field of green buildings. On behalf of the Gulf Standardization Organization, I assure all support to the Committee in carrying out the tasks assigned to it in order to meet the objectives of the Member States and to promote the optimum usage of all available resources in the field of green buildings."

In addition to the GCC Standardization Organization delegate, representatives of various Standardization Organizations from Gulf states such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain attended the meeting in addition to experts from academic and research bodies.

Standardization

The committee members reviewed the topics presented by each country and discussed the work plan for consolidating the regional standards of specifications for materials and products in the field of green buildings.

Members also discussed the latest developments in the field at international level and reviewed case studies for in the regional context and discussed how they can be benefitted from in the relevant fields. The Committee also identified its work plan for the next five years, and identified the international and regional authorities to be conferred with during this time.

At the end of the meeting, Dr. Yousef Alhorr appreciated the participation of guests from the Gulf Cooperation Council and praised their achievements and contributions shared during the meeting. He also highlighted the recent initiative from GORD to declare the environmental footprints of green products through the Gulf Green Mark program, which is attracting a growing segment of manufacturers in the construction industry seeking this certification to augment their products and have a competitive edge.

He also stressed the importance of and the need for effective and continuous communication between the Committee members, which would help in overcoming any obstacles or problems and would facilitate in optimizing the committee's productivity to the satisfaction of all members.

Field visits

On the second day of the meeting i.e. March 22, 2017, all delegates visited Techno Hub - GORD's Research Center located at the Qatar Science and Technology Park, where Dr. Esam Elsarrag, Director Research at GORD brief them about the various research projects related to green buildings including GORD's own patent smart air conditioning system, eco-friendly green cement and other projects that offer innovative solutions to the environmental challenges faced by the Gulf region.

-Ends-

About Gulf Organisation for Research and Development
The Gulf Organisation for Research and Development (GORD) is a member of Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company and a non-profit governmental organization established at Qatar Science and Technology Park to promote healthy, energy and resource efficient, and environmentally responsible building practices in Qatar and the Gulf. GORD joins the global effort to meet the present needs without compromising the rights of the future generations. It is committed to contribute to the sustainable development of the MENA region by promoting sustainability best practices through the development of its flagship Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS).  For more details: www.gord.qa

About Standardization Organization of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC):
Inspired by the objectives of the charter of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf aiming at achieving coordination, integration and interconnection between them in all areas leading to their unity, and Pursuant to the objectives of the GCC Economic Agreement calling for coordinating and unifying their economic, financial and monetary policies as well as their commercial, industrial and customs regulations in force therein, and Desiring to achieve more coordination and cooperation between them in the standardization areas with a view to unifying their regulations in this respect, and in implementation of the resolution of the GCC Supreme Council (22nd Session, Muscat, Oman, 30-31 December 2001) to establish a Standardization Organization for the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GSO) in preference to transforming the Saudi Arabian Standards Organization (SASO) into a Gulf organization. For more details: www.gso.org.sa 

About Qatar General Organization for Standards and standardization
The Government is currently developing its standards regime to meet internationally and regionally-recognized norms and practices, such as the ISSO standards. The Qatar General Organization for Standards and Metrology, an independent organization under the supervision of the Minister of Business and Trade, is the standard-developing and conformity assessment body for Qatar. However, Qatari government ministries such as the National Health Authority (NHA), the Ministry of Energy and Industry and Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture provide recommendations for standards. The Qatar General Organization for Standards and Metrology continually develops new standards and criteria for various items and merchandize.

Laboratories and Standardization Affairs (QS) is the national standards body in Qatar. It was established in 2002 and is currently affiliated to the Ministry of Environment. 

QS comprises three departments:

  • Standards and  Metrology

  • Quality and Conformity

  • Central laboratories

For more information, contact:
Salah AlAyoubi
Head of Marketing & Corporate Communications
Phone: +974 4404 9007
Mobile: +974 7474 9933 
E-mail: s.alayoubi@gord.qa

© Press Release 2017