QMDI and QNCC to provide key services for 2012 UN Climate Change Conference COP18/CMP8

The signing was witnessed by His Excellency Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, incoming COP18/CMP8 President and Chairman of Qatar Administrative Control and Transparency Authority; Engineer Saad bin Ibrahim Al Muhannadi, Vice President of Capital Projects and Facilities Management for Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF); and Christiana Figueres, the Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The Executive Committee of COP18/CMP8 includes Ministers, Government dignitaries and representatives from numerous Governmental entities, reflecting the unified vision of the State of Qatar.

The conference,beginning on 26thNovember in Doha, will attract over 15,000 delegates from 195 nations. Participants will discuss alterations to present global climate change treaties and agreements during 12 days of intense negotiations. It will be the largest such gathering ever witnessed in Qatar, and QMDI's role in its organisation is a reflection of its world-class capabilities.

QMDI, a member of Qatar Foundation,is the country's foremost events management company organizing live events, exhibitions and congress events. With its vast resources, experience and expertise, QMDI is the ideal partner to help facilitate this internationally important annual event.It offers clients and partners a complete package from conception to execution, and strives to raise industry standards in Qatar.

QF, chaired by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, strongly supports initiatives that facilitate the nation's transition from a hydrocarbon-based economy to a knowledge-based economy in accordance with the Qatar National Vision 2030. Such initiatives are also coreto QMDI's ethos.

Mr Hamad bin Khalifa Al Naser expressed his pleasure at being able to support the nation in hosting this prestigious event.

"We are extremely proud to make our contribution towards this globally resonant conference in order to assist the State of Qatar as it seeks to implement its National Vision 2030," said Mr Hamad bin Khalifa Al Naser.

"By utilising our professional expertise, we will ensure that QMDI's key services are delivered flawlessly. We will incorporate sustainable environmental standards from the planning stages all the way through to fruition, and we hope to provide a legacy for the nation when hosting future international events.

Along with human, social, and economic development, environmental sustainability represents one of the four pillars of our National Vision. For this and all future events, QMDI will seek to adopt the highest possible green standards in order to further enrich the quality of our services."

This approach is already paying dividends for QMDI business units, whose pursuit of sustainability in events management has resulted in them being accredited in the UK under British Standard 8901, an industry-wide seal of excellence.The standard, implemented for the London Olympics 2012, seeks to ensure an enduring and balanced approach to economic activity, environmental responsibility and social progress relating to events - areas which are key to the nation's vision.

The conference will be held at Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC), a QF joint venture, whose facilities have set a benchmark for sustainable design in Qatar and across the region.The signing ceremony also featured an agreement between QNCC and the 2012 UN Conference on Climate Change (COP 18/CMP 8). It was signed by H.E. Abdulaziz bin Ahmed Al Malki and Engineer Saad Al Muhannadi.

"The 2012 UN Climate Change Conference (COP 18/CMP 8) raises the challenges of holistic sustainable development, which is fundamental to Qatar Foundation and the State of Qatar's collective ambition to act on climate change," said Engineer Saad Al Muhannadi.

"The host venue, the Qatar National Convention Centre, is the first of its kind to be built with the Gold Certification of US Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) making this the greenest building to ever host a COP event."

In the future, QMDI's approach to event management in the areas of healthcare, finance, education, oil and gas, sports, infrastructure and equestrianism will incorporate sustainable elements wherever possible to aid local and regional development. Even with plans well underway for the COP18/CMP8 conference, QMDI is already putting measures in place for the hosting of MEFTEC, the world's premier financial technology event, due to take place in Qatar for the first time in April 2013.