Press Releases
01 Nov 2019
RTA and U.S. Green Building Council to boost partnership
Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to enhance their partnership in this vital field.
Abdul Mohsen Ibrahim Younes, CEO of Rail Agency, signed for RTA, and Mahesh Ramanujam, President and CEO of the U.S. Green Building Council, signed for the Council. Attendees included Naser Abu Shehab, CEO of Strategy and Corporate Governance Sector; Abdul Rida Abu Al Hasan, Executive Director of Rail Planning and Projects Development; Mohammed Al Amiri, Director of Maintenance at Rail Agency; Mohammed Al Mudharreb, Director of Rail Operations; Nada Jasim, Director of Safety, Risk, Regulation and Planning at Strategy and Corporate Governance Sector, and several officials from both parties.
“Through signing this MoU, RTA is seeking to hit multiple targets highlighted by realising the vision of Dubai Government to transform the Emirate into a leading finance, business and tourist hub. This MoU sets the general framework of cooperation for the benefit of both parties. It seeks to embed the culture of joint efforts as a means of leveraging the performance, easing transactions and delivering better services to clients,” said Younes.
“The MoU aims to step up bilateral cooperation, share technical knowledge, and exchange information and studies related to core tasks and specialities of both parties. The MoU has the potential of boosting RTA’s pioneering role in sustainable designs, building & operation of rail facilities, sharing essential knowledge, carrying out revisions and updates of LEED BD+C and LEED O+M Classifications for existing and new metro stations and ensuring their infrastructure is aligned with LEED’s perimeters (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). It also calls for spreading knowledge and practices in print and electronic media in a way that spotlights RTA’s contribution and broadens the awareness of RTA’s achievements.
“We are delighted for the signing of this MoU, which I consider an important step in helping RTA’s efforts in the field of green economy and environmental conservation that are high on RTA’s agenda. The MoU has a positive bearing on the optimal implementation of sustainable development, and contributes to realizing RTA’s fifth strategic goal: ‘safety and environmental sustainability’,” added Younes.
Ramanujam praised RTA’s relentless efforts to adopt the best practices and global standards of green buildings through capitalizing on the latest technologies of the industry. “RTA’s efforts in green buildings and infrastructure play a vital role in cementing the global profile of Dubai, especially after it has obtained LEED’s Platinum City in the Global City Ranking of the USGBC.
“As such, Dubai has become the first city in the MENA region to obtain this global classification, which supports the Dubai Government’s vision of sustainable development. By signing the MoU, RTA has become the first entity in the MENA region to adopt projects compatible with the requirements of LEED for Transit.