Doha, Qatar: November 15, 2016: Msheireb Properties, Qatar’s leading sustainable real estate developer, and a subsidiary of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), was presented with two awards at the first annual Qatar Sustainability Awards on Monday, November 14.

Msheireb Mosque and the National Archive two iconic properties within Msheireb Downtown Doha, Msheireb Properties flagship urban regeneration project, were bestowed the honours due to their excellence in the successful execution of sustainability in master planning. Msheireb Mosque captured the prize in the religious building category, while the National Archive was the winner in the government buildings classification.

Qatar Sustainability Awards are officiated by Qatar Green Building Council (QGBC) and aim to recognize the efforts, commitment, and contributions of individuals, institutions and organizations in furthering sustainable development and environmental protection in Qatar and beyond. A jury, comprised of senior sustainability and green building experts, practitioners and sustainability academics were charged with choosing the winners from a competitive list of nominees.

Accordingly, the Msheireb Mosque and the National Archive have been recently awarded LEED gold certification and platinum certification respectively, denoting excellence in green building strategies and practices. These two newly built structures have achieved maximum energy efficiency in construction and design, which restrict reliance on air-conditioning units via environmentally friendly applications. Their energy recovery air systems allow the precooling and regulation of indoor temperatures and their superior district cooling systems deliver chilled water through low energy consumption. Further energy mitigation features, include solar panelling that generate high levels of usable electricity in both buildings throughout the entire year.

“We are truly honoured to receive these awards. As a regional pioneer in sustainability, Msheireb Properties strives to consistently demonstrate exceptional leadership and initiative in the areas of sustainable master planning and design. As we move forward with our completion of Msheireb Downtown Doha, these awards reinforce our vision to continue to meet and exceed the highest international environmental standards in community development and urban regeneration projects,” said Mr. Ali Al Kuwari, Chief Officer – design and delivery, at Msheireb Properties.

When speaking of the practices of green building and sustainability in the business sectors, Ms. Noora Al-Rumaihi, Manager-Communication and Public Relations at Msheireb Properties said, “Often times companies believe that it’s not cost effective and routinely too inconvenient to function and build sustainably. Yet the truth is quite the opposite. Organizations should be encouraged to move beyond current methods and feel emboldened to look upon sustainability and conservation as fundamental aspects of societal development and business advancement.”

The Msheireb Mosque is located within Phase 1 of Msheireb Downtown Doha near the Msheireb Museums and is easily accessible from around the Msheireb neighbourhood and the adjoining souq area. The newly opened mosque can accommodate 600 worshippers, and houses dedicated prayer halls for both men and women. The National Archive is the storehouse of Qatar’s history and heritage and also serves as a facility for public assemblies. It is situated near the northeast corner of Msheireb Downtown Doha, overlooking Doha Bay and adjacent to the Eid Prayer Ground and Souq Waqif.

Msheireb Properties was celebrated at the Awards’ ceremony for their miraculous revitalization of the old commercial district of the city while still retaining and recapturing Qatar’s heritage and architectural traditions. The 31-hectare QAR 20 billion development aims to enrich the lives of both individuals and communities – encouraging more sustainable and environmentally responsible behaviour, while offering a better understanding of the local and regional heritage through its unique lifestyle and environment.

Doha, Qatar; November 04, 2016: For the fifth consecutive year, Msheireb Properties, a subsidiary of Qatar Foundation, is proud to announce that it has hosted the Annual Risk Management Forum in Doha at the Bait Bin Jelmood, in Msheireb Downtown Doha.

The theme of this year’s forum addressed ‘Walking on Shifting Sand: Managing Uncertainties in the Region’. The challenges of managing risks in the ever changing regional and global economic environment and conditions, including the proposed methods and approaches for tackling constant change and ways of risk mitigation adaptation.

Now in its fifth year, the risk management forum has a growing reputation for effectively predicting and confronting the most prevalent threats facing organizations and the global business community. The 2016 event was attended by a large cross-section of business and risk management experts from a variety of industries and backgrounds including, auditors, consultants, engineers, contractors, IT experts, oil & gas executives, project and program managers and real estate developers.

The diversity of delegates and guest speakers at this year’s affair added to lively schedule of activities which included discussions and lessons on a multitude of organizational threats. The panel of experts spoke on key risk management issues such as the future of risk management, risk culture building, risk leadership and business resilience modelling.

“I am truly proud of what we have achieved during the 5th Annual Risk Management Forum. Through the resolve and the vision of Msheireb Properties, we have built this platform into the premier risk management symposium in the Gulf and will continue to leverage best practices from a diversity of industry leaders to mitigate risk and to induce systemic standards across a full breadth of industries. In 2016, we boasted a cavalcade of world-class thought leaders and decision makers from a multitude of sectors,” said Mr. Abdulla Hassan Al-Mehshadi, CEO Msheireb Properties.

“This year’s forum, also served to remind the international business community that it is only through proactive engagement and meticulous planning that tangible benchmarks and outcomes emerge that precipitate effective implementation of discursive risk management practices. I am delighted that it is the 5th Annual Risk Management Forum that stands as the testament to this business culture evolution,” he added.

Msheireb Properties’ mission is to support the wider aims of Qatar’s Economic Vision for 2030 by changing the way people think about urban living and improving their overall quality of life through innovations that encourage social interaction, respect for culture, and greater care for the environment. Their projects improve the lives of both individuals and communities – encouraging more sustainable and environmentally responsible behaviour, and a greater understanding of local, regional, and international heritage and history through immersive experiences. The 5th Annual Risk Management Forum is representative of their continued commitment to enhancing the social and economical dynamism, cultural heritage and quality of life in Qatar.