ISO open session draws the experts

The 31st General Assembly runs over October 12-17 at the Grand Hyatt, with the Open Session topic on 15 October being "Buildings for a Sustainable Future".

It will address the expectations on international standardisation in this area, highlighting exemplary achievements and fostering new avenues for the development of ISO standards to support the incorporation of new technologies and best practices for the construction and operation of the sustainable buildings of the future.

"The session draws its importance from the increasing need to meet a multiplicity of demands: from resistance to fire and flood, natural disasters and terrorist attack, through energy efficiency and a reduced environmental footprint, to ease of integration with information and communication technology networks as well as accessibility for disabled or elderly persons"

said H.E. Eng. Sultan Bin Saeed AlMansoori, UAE Minister of Economy and Chairman of ESMA.

Keynote speaker will be Louise Cox, President of the International Union of Architects, a global network dedicated to the architectural profession.

"Delegates will discuss the future needs of buildings, in terms of power, safety, security and communication, in which international standardisation plays a vital role and will have the chance to directly interact with some of the renowned international experts to answer their different related queries," she said.

Morning and afternoon panel sessions will respectively discuss "Standards for energy efficient and environmental friendly buildings", and "Standards for security, safety and accessibility in buildings".

Sub-topics include "Integrating solar energy in building design", "Green Cities" - The Masdar example", "Earthquake resistant buildings", and "IT in support of intelligent buildings".

The ISO General Assembly, organised in cooperation with DNATA World of Events, comes to the Middle East for the first time, and to the United Arab Emirates in recognition of the country's commitment to abide by the highest standards in different fields, as set by the ISO.

ISO's current portfolio includes more than 17,000 international standards, and more than 1,800 of these have been adopted as UAE standards by ESMA.