In collaboration with Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) and National Marine Dredging Company (NMDC)

Abu Dhabi-UAE:  Abu Dhabi Ports, the master developer, operator and manager of commercial and community ports within the emirate of Abu Dhabi, as well as Fujairah Terminals and Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD), today launched Sustainability Week. The 3-day event, from 16 to 18 October, held at the Cruise Terminal in Mina Zayed, is in collaboration with Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) and National Marine Dredging Company (NMDC).

In line with the Abu Dhabi Economic vision 2030 to create a sustainable economy, the stakeholder event aims to raise local community awareness, encourage partner and customer engagement and promote knowledge sharing and a culture of sustainability amongst corporations in Abu Dhabi.

The two platinum partners for the event, Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) and National Marine Dredging Company NMDC, are strong local advocates for sustainability.

Abdulkareem Al Masabi, Executive Vice President-Ports said: “The launch of Sustainability Week is a testament to our commitment to raising awareness about sustainability, environmental conservation and innovation. As part of our key priorities, we are exerting all efforts to preserve our natural resources for future generations and to promote growth. Sustainability Week is the ideal opportunity to share best practices and work together to protect the environment and build a sustainable economy through social and environmental innovation, ensuring the success of our industry,” he added.

Under the theme of ‘Sustainable Businesses for a Sustainable Community,’ the forum features a range of interactive workshops and audio-visual demonstrations to advocate dialogue around overcoming challenges in implementing sustainable strategy. A series of awareness lectures as well as presentations on key research and studies will also take place alongside an exhibition of visiting companies as well as a photo gallery and competition.

Abdulla Kalban, Managing Director and CEO of EGA, applauded Abu Dhabi Ports for this initiative saying that: “EGA aspires to be measured amongst the world’s most responsible metals and mining companies in everything we do. We thank Abu Dhabi Ports for this initiative, because by working together across industries in the UAE we can more effectively tackle sustainability issues from safety, to emissions to waste.”

Yasser Zaghloul, CEO at National Marine Dredging Company, also expressed his pleasure at participating in the new forum saying: “The foundations we have been laying over the last 41 years are the bedrock for a sustainable future, both in terms of the economy and within our communities. At NMDC, we take these principles to the very heart of everything we do and reflect our purpose and vision to be the best partner in markets we operate in.”

The event also welcomed representatives and exhibitors from local academic institutes such as Sorbonne University, NYUAD, American University Dubai, Abu Dhabi University, Zayed University, Rawafed Private School and Abu Dhabi Indian School, in order to emphasize on the need for partnerships on sustainable thinking and innovation between academia and businesses.

To also encourage further engagement, Abu Dhabi Ports will host a competition for the visiting students; inviting them to showcase projects, research papers and innovations related to sustainability and social and economic development. Winners for the best submission will receive an award of AED 30,000.

Other attendees at the event included government entities, business partners and port customers, including SAFEEN, Abu Dhabi Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHAD), Tadweer - The Center of Waste Management Abu Dhabi, Department of Urban Planning and Municipalities – Abu Dhabi Municipality, Abu Dhabi Distribution Company, Abu Dhabi Sewage Services Company, Higher Colleges of Technology, Abu Dhabi Vocational and Training Institute, Emirates Diving Association, Green Mountains, Power Bear and Tridel.

In addition, the event will also hold health screening by VPS Health Care, and earthquake and fire simulations by National Security institutes.

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About Abu Dhabi Ports:
Established in 2006, Abu Dhabi Ports, the master developer, operator and manager of commercial and community ports within the emirate of Abu Dhabi, in addition to the Port of Fujairah, as well as the trade and logistics hub, Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD), in which Khalifa Port Free Trade Zone attracts direct investments to over 100 km2 of free zone opportunities, the largest in the Middle East region.

Inaugurated on Dec 12, 2012 by President of the UAE, HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Khalifa Port is the flagship port of Abu Dhabi Ports and is considered to be the first semi-automated container port in the region. Abu Dhabi Ports also owns 50% of Abu Dhabi Terminals, which operates and manages Khalifa Port Container Terminal with a full suite of logistics solutions to benefit trade partners and shipping lines. In addition to the current capacity of 2.5 million TEUs, the recent deal Abu Dhabi Ports signed with COSCO SHIPPING Ports Limited, which is expected to commence operations by 2019, will raise the annual capacity to 6 million TEUs in both container terminals.

Abu Dhabi Ports’ subsidiaries include Abu Dhabi Marine Services “SAFEEN”, providing a comprehensive range of marine, navigational and ancillary quayside services as well as VTS Services and fleet maintenance in a safe, secure and efficient manner; Maqta Gateway, which operates an innovative port community system, facilitating online information flow between all the port stakeholders and customers; and Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal, the first permanent cruise terminal in the region. To meet the increasing demand of cruise liners and passengers, Sir Bani Yas Cruise Beach was developed, offerings cruise ship passengers a new beach destination with unmatched tourism experiences. Additionally, Abu Dhabi Ports also manages the Maritime Training Centre at Musaffah Port.

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© Press Release 2017