UAE- WorldGovSummit..International Cooperation in Building Cities of Future

DUBAI 10th February 2016 (WAM)--The population of Dubai is expected to increase to five million by 2030. Hussain Nasser Lootah Director General of Dubai Municipality stated that as a consequence of increasing population and depleting natural resources there is a parallel increase on demand on education energy employment housing and all the other issues.

Mayors and key representatives of sister cities and organisations gathered to sign the 'Dubai Charter of Sustainable Development Cities Alliance' seeking to collaboratively achieve the vision of building a sustainable future for Dubai.

Participants came together on the final day of the 4th World Government Summit to primarily discuss about sustainable development of future cities in a roundtable session entitled "Shaping Future Cities."

Hussain Nasser Lootah highlighted the challenges that governments face when planning a sustainable city that not only places people's welfare at the forefront but also preserves the natural resources. Representatives shared views on the aspect that international conventions and covenants would be essential in building cities that would preserve natural resources and achieve balanced sustainability. The experts concurred that prioritizing welfare of the communities and natural resources is equally important for the benefit of future generations.

Mayors of Ankara Casablanca Amman and Al Maddinah exchanged successful experiences in building sustainable communities that reduce utilization of traditional energy and focus on renewable energy or alternative sources of energy.

Manvita Bardai Director of International Capital Market Association-India also added that in order for cities to remain on the correct path of prosperity and sustainability and ensure leaders take the right steps to achieve high standard of quality in cities data needs to be assembled and shared with global communities.

Whether it be improving the traffic congestion managing waste or promoting environmental awareness to communities Hussain Nasser Lootah added that the current model of cities would not be sufficient to realize future requirements of the community. To prepare for a brighter sustainable future he reiterated the importance of developing institutional partnerships and exchanging of information with other countries.

The discussion was attended by Hussain Nasser Lootah Director General of Dubai Municipality; Musabah Mubarak Al Marar General Manager of Abu Dhabi Municipality; Ahmed Al Subaih Secretary General of Arab Towns Organization; Dr. Bilal Hamad Mayor of Beirut; Melih Gokcek Mayor of Ankara; Akel E. Biltaji Mayor of Amman; Alain Claude Galliano Vice President of Metropole de Lyon; Dr. Khalid Taher Mayor of Al Maddinah Province; Gauthier Claude Jacques Dupont Director of Clean Energy & Sustainability Services; Dr. Thikra Mohammed Alwash Mayor of Baghdad; Abdullah Emadi Deputy General Manager of Kuwait Municipality; Mohammed Ahmed Sultan Al Khalifa Director General of Al Manama Municipality; Mohamed Sadiki Mayor of the city of Al Rabat and Manvita Baradi Director of ICMA India.