DOHA, 31 October 2024 — Msheireb Properties, Qatar’s leading sustainable real estate developer, announced its participation in the World Urban Forum 12 (WUF12) in Cairo, Egypt — the world’s foremost gathering of global leaders on urbanisation. Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Ali Al Kuwari, will deliver a keynote speech at the forum’s Business and Foundations Assembly.
The World Urban Forum, convened by UN-Habitat, is the premier global conference on sustainable urbanisation. Established in 2001, it provides a unique platform for the exchange of ideas, best practices, and policies related to the future of cities. The forum addresses key challenges facing urban environments, including housing, climate change, and urban governance, making it a vital space for collaboration among governments, private sector leaders, civil society, and urban planning experts. With more than half of the world’s population living in cities, the WUF plays a critical role in shaping sustainable and inclusive urban policies that affect billions of lives globally.
This year’s theme, “It All Starts at Home: Local Actions for Sustainable Cities and Communities,” aligns closely with Msheireb Properties’ mission and vision to change the way people think about urban living and improve overall quality of life inspired by Qatar’s unique heritage.
Eng. Ali Al-Kuwari will deliver his address to the Business and Foundations Assembly on November 4, 2024, presenting the company’s vision for sustainable urban development and highlighting Msheireb Downtown Doha as a pioneering model for future cities. He will also participate in the Business and Foundations Roundtable on November 6th under the theme “Unity in Action – Fostering Effective Partnerships for Our Common Goals,” where he will showcase Msheireb’s experience in building strategic partnerships with public and private sectors and academic institutions that have contributed to achieving the vision of a sustainable city.
“We are honoured to contribute to this global dialogue on sustainable urbanisation,” said Eng. Ali Al Kuwari. “At Msheireb Properties, we believe that the future of our cities lies in harmonising cutting-edge technology with cultural heritage. Our participation in WUF12 represents an opportunity to share our experiences and learn from urban innovators worldwide as we collectively work towards creating more sustainable, liveable cities.”
Dr. Amira Al-Hassan, Head of Mission of UN Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat) to GCC and Kuwait, commented on Msheireb Properties’ participation: “We are delighted to welcome Eng. Al Kuwari and Msheireb Properties to WUF12. Their innovative approach to sustainable urban development, as exemplified by Msheireb Downtown Doha, embodies UN-Habitat’s mission. This kind of private sector leadership is crucial in our collective efforts to create inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities.”
Msheireb Properties joined an influential panel at WUF12, alongside ELIXR’s CEO Catalina Valentino (UK), urban economist Ivan Turok (South Africa), ADB’s Satoshi Ishii (Japan), development specialist Hanan Dowidar (Egypt), and engineering expert Elizabeth Petheo (USA). This global platform offers Msheireb Properties an opportunity to showcase its groundbreaking sustainable development, Msheireb Downtown Doha, demonstrating Qatar’s leadership in creating smart, sustainable urban communities on the international stage.
Msheireb Downtown Doha, the flagship project of Msheireb Properties, is the world’s first sustainable downtown regeneration project and has the highest concentration of LEED-certified buildings worldwide. This innovative development serves as a blueprint for sustainable urban living, blending traditional Qatari architecture with modern, smart city technologies.