Executive Director of DREI elected as UAE and MENA representative for the network
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 13 May 2017: A senior delegation from Dubai Land Department (DLD) participated in the annual United Nations Global Compact Network meeting, which was held in Delhi, India in the presence of representatives from 84 countries.
The DLD delegation was represented by Mahmoud Al Burai, Executive Director of Dubai Real Estate Institute (DREI) – the educational arm of DLD – alongside many prominent, international delegates including Ms. Lise Kingo, CEO and Executive Director of the UN Global Compact. Strategies for sustainable global development were discussed during the meeting, as well as methods for implementing the recommendations made by DLD during the October 2016 Dubai meeting, including the involvement of the private sector in implementing the United Nations sustainable development goals.
Along with the adoption of the 'UN Global Compact Charter Strategy', 'New Governance' and 'Charter Values and Strategies', 'The World Sustainability Award 2017' was also launched to honour the institutions that have taken significant strides towards implementing sustainable development goals. The selected institutions will receive their awards from the Secretary General of the United Nations at the upcoming UN Global Compact meeting in September.
On the sidelines of the meeting, elections were held for members of the UN Global Compact Advisory Council, which includes an Advisory Group of seven regional representative members. Mahmoud Al Burai was elected as the UAE and MENA representative of the Global Compact Network, and was also delegated to oversee the development of a strategic plan for the UN Global Compact in the region, and to strengthen cooperation between networks and companies that have signed the UN Global Compact.
Mahmoud Al Burai, Executive Director of DREI, commented: "The UAE has been elected to represent the UN Global Compact Network not only within the country but also across the wider MENA region, which recognises our important position in the field of sustainability and our efforts to realise the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to transform Dubai into a true destination for sustainable development."
Dubai Land Department hosted last year's annual UN Global Compact meeting in Dubai from 24 to 26 October 2016, when delegates gathered to discuss the 'Global Strategy for Sustainability' and the '17 Sustainable Development Goals'. The conference session was attended by 84 United Nations Charter networks from 84 countries.
DLD has been hosting the network for two years. It has 120 members representing major national and international companies, and has also been responsible for launching the 'Youth Ambassadors for Sustainability' programme, leading the country's sustainability efforts. The local networks of the UN Global Compact are made up of a group of participants who meet to promote the ideals and principles set out in the UN Global Compact within a specific region, with Dubai registered as a member of the UN Global Compact through DLD.