TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK

DOHA CHAIRMAN and CEO of Qatar MICE Development Institute (QMDI) Hamad bin Khalifa al Naser has signed an agreement with Abdulaziz bin Ahmed al Malki, general coordinator of COP18/CMP8, to assist Qatar with key event management services for the 2012 United Nations Climate Change Conference.

The signing was witnessed by Abdullah bin Hamad al Attiyah, incoming COP18/CMP8 president and chairman of Qatar Administrative Control and Transparency Authority; 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 Qatar.

The prestigious conference, slated to be held in Doha on November 26, 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.

QMDI, a member of Qatar Foundation, is the country’s foremost events management company organising live events, exhibitions and congress events. With its vast resources, experience and expertise, QMDI is the ideal partner to help facilitate this global 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, 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 core to QMDI’s ethos.

Naser expressed his pleasure at being able to support the nation in hosting this prestigious event. “We are proud to make our contribution towards this globally resonant conference in order to assist Qatar as it seeks to implement its National Vision 2030,” said 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.” The conference will be held at Qatar National Convention Centre, 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. It was signed between Abdulaziz bin Ahmed al Malki and Saad al Muhannadi.

“The 2012 UN Climate Change Conference raises the challenges of holistic sustainable development, which is fundamental to Qatar Foundation and the country’s collective ambition to act on climate change,” said 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 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.