Press Releases
14 Jan 2026
Communities of the Future Long-Term Value Through Sustainability
The Dubai International Project Management Forum held a panel discussion titled “Communities of the Future: Long-Term Value Through Sustainability,” moderated by Rosanna Lockwood, International News Anchor, Business & Sustainability Specialist, with the participation of a distinguished group of leaders and experts.
The session opened with remarks by Her Excellency Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid, Director General of the Community Development Authority, who underscored the importance of collaboration between the government, private and non-profit sectors, alongside the adoption of a comprehensive sustainability plan and a strong focus on capacity building.
She stated that these elements are firmly in place in the Emirate of Dubai, supported by additional drivers that contribute to development and growth. Chief among these, she noted, is a focus on the family, through the provision of awareness programmes targeting newly married couples, as well as educating future generations on the importance of resilience, future planning, and building capabilities grounded in cooperation and culture.
Her Excellency Hessa also pointed out that service design requires the engagement of individuals and the wider community, alongside long-term planning to maximise the utilisation of these services. She expressed pride in the implementation of care and empowerment programmes in collaboration with 425 private-sector companies in the Emirate, with the support of the Government of Dubai and the Dubai Government Human Resources Department, which have contributed to the creation of more than 7,600 job opportunities.
His Excellency Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality, spoke about the sustainability experiences taking shape across the Emirate, noting that the Dubai International Project Management Forum represents a successful and sustainable model, given its continuity over several years and its ability to attract a distinguished group of speakers.
He further explained that Dubai Municipality is keen to facilitate the delivery of services required by individuals and the community, alongside closely monitoring the maintenance of assets linked to sustainability and working in partnership with stakeholders to identify their requirements and needs. He noted that Dubai has succeeded in providing a high level of services, stressing that sustaining this success in the next phase requires raising service standards beyond expectations.
Diane Hamilton, Founder and CEO of Tonerra, also participated in the session, stating that achieving sustainability requires a clear understanding of the value of time and purpose, as well as careful consideration of competitiveness—a factor that commands the attention of business leaders who aspire to project success, competitive advantage, and the achievement of strategic objectives.
Michael Pawlyn, Architect & Innovator and a specialist in regenerative design and biomimicry, highlighted the importance of project managers having a thorough understanding of their operating methodologies, being fully aware of the tools available for success, and possessing the ability to deploy them effectively. He also stressed the need to pay close attention to administrative aspects, which may appear simple but require specialised expertise. He concluded by commenting that project objectives must be long-term, capable of confronting challenges and keeping pace with the evolving demands of the modern era.