Municipal sector at Emirate of Abu Dhabi pledges its support to Global City Abu Dhabi 2009

The two days event held at the Emirates Palace from April 7 - 8, 2009 is co-organised by the Department of Municipal Affairs (DMA), Urban Planning Council (UPC) and Abu Dhabi Council for Economic Development (ADCED).

Global City Abu Dhabi is the only international forum where public and private leaders including mayors, urban planners, decision-makers and leaders gather to exchange best practices and share sustainable urban strategies.

H.E. Rashed Mubarak Al Hajeri, Chairman of the Department of Municipal Affairs, said:

"Abu Dhabi has the vision and the substance to become a global city. In addition to being one of the leading financial centres in the region, a major industrial zone and enriched by a diverse cosmopolitan population. These qualities are co-joined with a solid infrastructure and regulations system, functional urban planning and sustainable economic development, making Abu Dhabi the next big global city."

"The municipal sector has been playing a major role in the advancement and transformation of the city's landscape and the way it manages and serves the UAE nationals, residents and visitors. As the new municipal entity that creates and forms new policy and regulatory laws, the Department of Municipal Affairs has experienced unprecedented accomplishments initiated through the municipal sector with the aim of bringing about positive change in the capital," Al Hajeri added.

Among the topics covered at the forum:
• Globalization of the world's sustainable cities.
• Culture and immigration as drivers for a successful city.
• Developing sustainable downtown areas.
• The Leaders' Summit & Lunch: focused on urban leadership challenges.
• Citizens' partnership and new ecological neighbourhoods.
• Redesigning public realm through public transport strategies.

The Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 has been developed by the Government, in consultation with the private sector, as a 22-year strategy to achieve continued success of the Emirate's development, and to ensure that all stakeholders in the economy are moving in concert, with a clear view of the long-term goals.