Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Officials Visit Phoenix and Washington, DC

WASHINGTON, DC (13 November 2009) - A group of senior government officials from Abu Dhabi, who are leading the Emirate's urban planning and sustainability efforts, visited Phoenix, Ariz. and Washington, DC this week to attend the Greenbuild International Conference, and meet with US government officials and other urban planning experts.  The delegation was led by HE Rashid Al Hajiri, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Municipal Affairs. He was joined on the trip by HE Falah Al Ahbabi, General Manager of Abu Dhabi’s Urban Planning Council and Chairman of Abu Dhabi’s Center for Housing and Services, and HE Jasem Al Darmaki, Executive Director of Abu Dhabi’s Department of Municipal Affairs. 

While in Washington, the delegation met with senior US government officials at the General Services Administration, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR Program, and the National Capital Planning Commission. 

The Abu Dhabi delegation takes questions during a luncheon meeting hosted by the US-UAE Business Council
During the meetings, the Abu Dhabi officials shared updates on progress being made in the Emirate to meet the sustainability and environmental goals set forth by the Abu Dhabi 2030 plan and Estidama.  The officials also discussed best practices and lessons learned with their US counterparts around the areas of green building design and energy efficiency.

HE Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to the US, hosted the delegation at a gathering of senior government and business officials.  Remarking on the group's visit to the US, Ambassador Al Otaiba said, "The UAE is developing at a rapid pace, and Abu Dhabi is is a clear example.  These officials are leading the Emirate's efforts to ensure development does not come at a cost to the people of Abu Dhabi or the environment."

The delegation was also honored at a luncheon meeting hosted by the US-UAE Business Council, and they concluded their visit to Washington by visiting with Mayor Adrian Fenty.

While in Phoenix the Abu Dhabi officials met with the Mayor Phil Gordon, and with officials at Arizona State University.