Keynote speaker H.E. José María Figueres stressed the need for environmental protection to become considered a viable economic opportunity by the business community, and highlighted the need for governments across the globe to work in partnership with the private sector to make fixing the environment commercially viable.

H.E. José María Figueres cited the example of Dubai Recycling Park, a joint initiative between Dubai Industrial City and National Projects Holding Co., as a perfect illustration of the public and private sectors joining hands to combat global warming.

He further outlined that although the Middle East is currently only responsible for 2.7% of the total carbon emissions generated into the earth’s atmosphere (compared to the US at 30% and Europe at 27%), there was no reason for the region not to begin implementing cutting-edge environmental policies and lead the way for the rest of the world.

“I have a deep amount of respect for this region, as it has one of the world’s most forward-thinking and visionary attitudes,” continued Figueres “It is already a leader in the real estate and tourism sectors, so why not become renowned for having one the most progressive environmental policies on the planet?”

‘Global Warming: The Role of the Business Community’ was held under the patronage of H.E. ENG. Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director General of the Dubai Municipality, and was an initiative of Dubai Industrial City and Dubai Recycling Park, a project of the National Projects Holding Co.

The Dubai Recycling Park project was launched in October 2006 with a capital investment of up to USD150 million, and will be developed on a site measuring 1,500,000 square feet with a 49 year lease agreement with Dubai Industrial City. Construction is planned to commence in mid-2007 and will be fully completed within 18 months. It will be the first fully integrated waste management and recycling park in the Middle East.

“Dubai Recycling Park is the combined solution of Dubai Industrial City and National Projects Holding Co. to start contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions into the atmosphere, by reducing landfill and the burn-off of waste,” explained Al-Saleh, "We plan to revolutionise the way the Middle East manages waste and help safeguard the environment for the generations to come.”
 

In the international arena, President Figueres has pioneered the linkage between sustainable development and technology in the realms of business, public service and non-profit organisations. He helped create and lead the United Nations Information and Communication Technologies Task Force (ICT) and is the founder of the Costa Rica Foundation for Sustainable Development (Entebbe). In 2000, President Figueres joined the World Economic Forum and became its first CEO in 2003, where he has strengthened global corporate ties to social and governmental sectors by identifying common long-term interests. He currently serves as CEO of the Grupo Felipe IV, based in Madrid, where he continues his commitment to development and technology. He also serves as a Board Member of the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the Earth Council Geneva and as a senior advisor for Tokyo-based Global Environment Action.

Evidence of his ability to bring together the best of the governmental and non-profit sector with the private sector at an international level is seen in current and previous advisory and board of directors’ positions. Currently he serves on the boards of World Resources Institute (USA), Earth Council Geneva (Switzerland), Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership (USA), Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization (Jordan) and Grupo San Cristobal SAISC (Costa Rica), among others. Together with President Carter he is also an International Advisor at Global Environmental Action (Japan). In addition, Figueres is a Member of the Dean’s Alumni Leadership Council at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and a founding Member of the Club de Madrid. He previously served on the Boards of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), The Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), and FUNDES Internacional.

About Dubai Recycling Park

National Projects Holding Co, a subsidiary of the National Real Estate Co. of Kuwait signed an agreement in October 2006 with Dubai Industrial City, a subsidiary of Tatweer (a Member of Dubai Holding), to establish Dubai Recycling Park, the first fully integrated waste management and recycling park in the Middle East.

Dubai Recycling Park will be developed on a site measuring 1,500,000 square feet with a 49 year lease agreement with Dubai Industrial City and a capital investment of up to USD150 million. Construction is planned to commence in mid-2007 and will be fully completed within 18 months.

The feasibility study, master plan and management of Dubai Recycling Park will be contracted to Remondis of Germany, the fourth largest waste management company in the world and arguably the world’s leading company in waste management technology and know-how.

National Projects Holding Co. believes Dubai Recycling Park will be perhaps their most important project from a socially responsible stand point and that it should be replicated across the region.

National Projects Holding Co. is the subsidiary of the National Real Estate Co. (NREC), the largest real estate company listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange and is a joint venture between the NREC and Kuwaiti Businessman Musaed Al-Saleh.

NPHC recently signed an agreement with Dubai Industrial City to establish Dubai Recycling Park, the first fully integrated waste management and recycling park in the Middle East.