Gulf News December 30, 2009

Dubai: Brand Dubai unveiled on Tuesday the Dubai Forum, a platform for focused discussions on a wide range of topics related to the main theme of sustainable development, held once every four months.

The debut workshop discussion, part of the new initiative, will be held on January 5, 2010 on Architecture For Creating Sustainable Societies.

The programme coincides with the fourth anniversary of the accession of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum as Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai as well as with the opening of Burj Dubai, the world's tallest building.

This new initiative is meant to embody the vision and special attention given by Shaikh Mohammad to sustainable economic, social and environmental development in Dubai and across the UAE.

It will be organised by Brand Dubai in collaboration with distinguished international institutions.

Workshops are expected to attract the participation of leading regional and international experts, and industry leaders, to analyse current and future opportunities for significant progress in advancing sustainable development.

Through the forum, Brand Dubai expects to strengthen dialogue in various sectors through exchanges of ideas and expertise, thereby exploring avenues to benefit from best international practices.

Issues

"Dubai Forum's first event will be organised by Brand Dubai in cooperation with the Cooper Union for Arts and Sciences, New York.

"The forum aims to shed more light on a diverse range of issues related to development across the UAE," Mona Al Merri, CEO of Brand Dubai, said.

Discussions, ideas and solutions presented at the Forum will be published widely and made available to all, she said.