RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has called on the private sector to adopt the ‘green buildings concept' designed for energy-efficiency and to protect the country's environment. Abdulrahman Bin Mohammed Al-Dahmash Supervisor-General of the Office of the Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs in his opening remarks Saturday evening at Saudi Green Buildings Forum 2010, the first-ever gathering of national and international experts in the region, underscored the role of the private sector in the country's national interest. Al-Dahmash said that the private sector can take advantage of the Kingdom's experience and richness in building private and public housing by adopting the green buildings concept. “I hope all participants will have the opportunity to focus on applied proposals and practical ideas that cover all aspects of this vital subject. We also need to choose the right mechanisms to benefit the ideas, visions and recommendations of this forum,” he said. Al-Dahmash urged Saudi citizens to play a key role in enriching the concept of green buildings. Green building (also known as green construction or sustainable building) is the practice of creating structures and using processes that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building's life-cycle - from siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and deconstruction. This practice expands and complements the classical building design concerns of economy, utility, durability, and comfort. In his speech, Ahmed Al-Khalifa, senior official of the Ministry of Water and Electricity, said that the subject of green buildings is extremely important to the life of the average citizen. “The Ministry of Electricity is keen to raise awareness of the importance of energy efficiency in buildings and homes, and I ask you all to listen to the Forum's recommendations and try to apply them in day-to-day life,” he said. Over 20 experts from national, regional and international countries are participating in the two-day forum, which will feature discussions on topics, such as ‘Energy efficiency and conservation' by Engr. Bander Allaf, Senior Planning Engineer, Saudi Electricity Company. David Hansen, will present a project case study: Princess Noura Bint Abdurrahman University which successfully implemented the green building concept in cooperation with ABB Saudi Arabia. A panel session will examine the latest regulatory codes in Saudi Arabia. The participants include Prof. Mashary A. Al-Nain, College of Architecture and Planning, Dammam University. Saudi Green Buildings forum's Secretary General Faisal Alfadl thanked the Saudi government for its unflinching support and efforts to make the forum a successful event. “With the support of the Saudi government, the first national conference in the Kingdom exclusively devoted to green buildings will become a significant national project.”He said the emerging partnership between the pubic and private sectors is confirming the importance of launching an urban development strategy for the Kingdom that encourages green buildings concepts. “The private sector will face a paradigm shift from a service sector to a development and strategic partner, a true partner, for our country to be ranked among developed countries,” he added. “This forum will definitely help shape the future of green buildings in our beloved Kingdom,” said Alfadl. ?He said the academic and scientific workshops will examine the current systems in the Gulf region. We hope that the attendants will benefit from these workshops in building a clear strategy that is based on science, knowledge and know-how. A documentary film titled “Our Home” was shown at the opening of the forum. The film defines the nature of green buildings, their components, advantages and great returns for humans and the environment. Saudi Green Buildings 2010 is organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Water and Electricity, Saudi Council of Engineers, Al-Turath Establishment and Saudi Green Buildings Council. The event is organized by MEED Events. Among many others, the keynote speakers at the conference include Dr. Saleh Alawaji, Deputy for Electrical Affairs Ministry of Water and Electricity, Dr. Khalid Al-Dughaither, Chief Executive Officer and Board Member, Arriyadh Development Company and Eng. Ahmed Al-Bader, Chief Strategy Officer, MODON, the Kingdom's regulatory body.
