Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council Presents Vision 2030 And Key Achievements To ASEAN Ambassadors

Ambassadors from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) today became the latest high-level international delegates, led by H.E. Mohamed Yusra Salleh, Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam and Chairman of the ASEAN Committee in Abu Dhabi (ACAD), to meet with the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council regarding the Government of Abu Dhabi’s Vision 2030.

The ambassadors from each country comprising ASEAN – Brunei Darussalam, The Republic of Singapore, The Republic of Indonesia, The Kingdom of Thailand, The Republic of The Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia – were given a presentation on Abu Dhabi’s Vision 2030, along with the UPC’s achievements in planning sustainable, well managed communities to support the realisation of the vision.

They learned about the Emirate-wide development strategies, the UPC’s sustainability programme, Estidama, and the Complete Sustainable Communities (CSC) initiative. They hope to be able to take home lessons from the UPC’s success in planning a sustainable urban environment that provides all residents with a high quality of life.

The ASEAN delegates were also given an overview of all of the UPC’s Emirate-wide framework plans including Plan Capital 2030, Plan Al Ain 2030, Plan Al Gharbia 2030 and Plan Maritime 2030, with a focus on the Plan Capital 2030 Update to highlight investment and employment opportunities driven by the forecasted growth in the region. They were also introduced to the UPC’s manuals, regulations and policies.

Senior UPC officials presented an overview of some of the Emirate’s most notable projects, including Cleveland Clinic, Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD), Emirates Nuclear Energy’s Nuclear Station in Al Gharbia, the new Central Business District on Al Maryah Island, Saadiyat Island and Etihad Rail.

Their visit follows several recent knowledge-exchange trips to Abu Dhabi by international officials. Earlier this year, a team from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Economic Cities Authority spent two days in Abu Dhabi learning about the UPC’s planning methods.

Gaining international knowledge and strengthening ties with overseas partners is seen as a crucial part of fulfilling the goals set out in Vision 2030.

The visit is further testament to the Emirate’s growing international reputation as a model for sustainable urban growth strategies and Abu Dhabi’s appeal to international investors, according to HE Falah Al Ahbabi, the UPC’s General Manager.

Delivering the opening address, he said: “The UPC’s mandate is to responsibly plan for and define the shape of the Emirate, ensuring the development of professionally designed, sustainable and well-managed urban environments to achieve Vision 2030,” he said.

“As such, the strengthening of ties between the UAE and our international friends is essential. It’s wonderful to see international interest in Abu Dhabi and its inspirational Vision 2030, in addition to the many projects we are working on; we are now accustomed to opening new horizons and welcoming cooperation between countries, peoples and cultures to help us work together to mutually benefit our respective countries.”

Following the presentation, the ASEAN delegates were particularly interested learning more about how their countries can further play a role in the development of the Emirate, particularly in growth areas such as technology, construction, finance and tourism. They also discussed with the UPC’s officials about how Vision 2030 interacts with the strategic plans for other Emirates and the key national projects, such as Etihad Rail. Investment opportunities within Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE were also highlighted.

The meeting was concluded and further discussions will now be held to explore individual sector investment opportunities.

Emirate:  Abu Dhabi

Date: Jun 29, 2014

Back