Four-day mission: Riyadh to host Saudi Green Building Forum starting 13 October onwards

Saudi Green Building Forum, patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Dr. Mansour Bin Miteb Bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Municipalities and Rural Affairs, will host its third annual Conference at Kingdom Tower Four Seasons Hotel, Riyadh on the 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th of October, 2012. The Conference will provide a dominant platform for discussing challenges for Green Building related to '3P's of sustainability to promote Green Building initiatives in Saudi Arabia, to boost business collaboration, unveil new employment opportunities and enhance the built-environment across the kingdom.

The presentations, panel discussion and case studies at the Conference will challenge the issues such as magnification of Green Building sustainable urban development in Saudi Arabia, its position as a "Think Tank" frontrunner, a hub of fastest growing construction and projects market in the Middle East and North Africa.

The SGB FORUM's conference and Projects case studies will continue to stay as a significant means of aiding the development of laws and regulations sets by King Abdullah Green Building initiatives; enhancing the comprehensive collection of standards and guidance systems that is been implemented in the Kingdom; signifying Building Information Modeling technology; strengthening relation with industry stakeholders; delivering information, analysis and insights into available business opportunities and building cultural awareness of local Urban development.

His Royal Highness Prince Dr. Mansour Bin Miteb Bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Municipalities and Rural Affairs, opined, "This meeting represents a valuable opportunity to review the achievements of the steps and executions of previous recommendations including more than one axis, either as assigned to the government sector, professional bodies or entrusted to the private sector."

A number of prominent professionals and officials will speak out of the significance, Green Building and energy technologies. Speeches will be delivered by high profile speakers such as: Dr. Mohammed Al-Suwaiyel, President, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), H.E. Eng. Abdullah A. M. Al-Muqbil, Mayor of Riyadh Municipality; Mr. Edward Burton, President & Managing Director of US Saudi Arabian Business Council, Eng. Mohamed Al-Mady, Vice Chairman/ CEO of Saudi Arabian Basic Industries, H.E. Mr. Amer Kayani, Minister Counselor- Commercial Affairs of Riyadh Embassy of United States, ; Mr. Abdulrahman Ali Al-Jeraisy, Chairman of Riyadh Chamber of Commerce & Industry; Mr. Edward Burton, President/ Managing Director of US-Saudi Arabian Business Council; Dr. Ali A. Nazzal, Senior Operations Manager of NX Intelligent Building Control of ABB; Edmund O'Sullivan, Chairman of MEED events, Dr. Ahmed Al Hazmi, Manager- Environmental Affairs of SABIC; Mr. Kishan Khodey, Deputy Resident Representative of United nations Development Programme (UNDP) Riyadh; Ms. Dagmar Epsten, LEED Fellow, President of Epsten Group; Dr. Radhouan Ben-Hamadou, Deputy Director of UNESCO.

The Conference will also include SGB Forum's signature activities- presentation of projects Case Studies and LEED workshop by U. S. Green Building Council. The focus of all the discussions, panel sessions, debates and brainstorming at the SGB FORUM will undoubtedly remain on the primarily issues related to Green Building and sustainable development worldwide. This very fact makes it the most sought after event of the year, crucial for the industry professionals and entrepreneurs alike.

Faisal S. Alfadl, Secretary General of Saudi Green Building Forum, stated, "The unique design of the event's program allows delegates not only to gain a business to business insight but also business to government insight because it is the public and private sector association that drive all of us. Here we would witness the opportunity to exchange action words from government ministries of Saudi Arabia and international government representatives, as well as leaders of private business sponsors drives knowledge about the latest services, products and project developments and technological advancements for Saudi Arabia's Green Building growing industry."

Mr. Alfadl added, "This would allow stockholders to gain an in-depth understanding of the key issues and major project opportunities in Saudi Arabian Green Building sector. We will also talk about ways to capitalize on a wealth of opportunities for companies capable of providing Green Building design concepts, construction and operation in energy and water efficient technologies, effective management systems and architectural engineering building material. Importantly, the attendees will also get an excellent chance to be associated with the only Green Building event in Saudi Arabia, officially inspired by the initiative of King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz which is held under the patronage of HRH Prince Dr. Mansour bin Metib bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Municipality and Rural Affairs."

Being one the 54 "Authorized Education Delivery Partners" of U.S. Green Building Council, the Saudi Green Building Forum will also host a three-day LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) workshop in its annual conference. As always, this time also the forum is extending its full support to USGBC in realizing its mission of educating Saudi experts and professionals through the renowned LEED workshops. The last LEED Training Workshop was also hosted by SGB Forum in May 2012 and it was attended by more than 85 professionals who became a part of LEED Network. In fact, the SGB FORUM intends to utilize this association as a bridge to build professional relations and leverage community connections.

The Master LEED Workshops are scheduled on 13th of October 2012, LEED 101: Green Building Basics & LEED and on the 16th of October 2012 LEED 201: Core Concepts & Strategies specifically designed for enthusiastic professionals. LEED courses are meant to enrich the learner about new trends in Green Building and updates on new guiding tools and technologies that can improve design/ construction career development as LEED Green Assosiate/ LEED Accredited Professional.

"The Authorized Education Delivery Partner Network enables us to provide USGBC's innovative and valuable curriculum to a rapidly growing global community," said Beth Holst, Vice President for Strategic Alliances and Business Partners at USGBC, pointing out "The SGB Forum will arm Saudi professionals with the resources they need for success."

The conference is being organized by MEED and endorsed and permitted by Ministry of Commerce and Industry by the efforts of gC Company Limited. The sponsors of the annual Conference are Schneider Electrics, ABB, KIMMCO, Philips, etc.

The partners of the Conference include fa PARTNERS, US Green Building Council, US Saudi Arabian Business Council, Ministry of Water and Electricity, Saudi Council of Engineers, Ministry of Higher Education, Riyadh Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Arab Urban Development Institute, KACST, SABIC, Saudi System Corporations, Jeraisy group, Epsten Group, Our Word, etc.