Ras Bufontas: Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZ) and The Gulf Organization for Research and Development (GORD) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to solidify their commitment to sustainability.
According to Qatar News Agency, the MoU aims to accelerate the adoption of green building practices within Qatar's free zones, aligning with the Qatar National Vision 2030 and contributing to the nation's climate goals, as stated in a press release by GORD. The agreement was signed by Dr. Yousef Alhorr, the Founding Chairman of GORD, and Dr. Ali Al Khalifa, Chief Executive Officer for Zones Development at QFZ, during a ceremony at the Business Innovation Park in Ras Bufontas Free Zone. The event was attended by key representatives from both organizations.
Under the terms of the MoU, GORD and QFZ will collaborate on several initiatives to develop sustainability strategies and frameworks tailored to the specific needs of the free zones. QFZ will encourage businesses within its jurisdictions to implement the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) for their facilities. GSAS, developed by GORD, is the MENA region's first performance-based green building rating system, offering a comprehensive framework for assessing and certifying the environmental performance of buildings.
To further encourage the adoption of GSAS, QFZ plans to incentivize buildings achieving higher GSAS ratings, with GORD providing complimentary services during the initial stages of certification. Dr. Yousef Alhorr noted the importance of embedding sustainability within economic hubs to achieve lasting prosperity, expressing confidence that the partnership will provide businesses with the resources needed to adopt sustainable practices and contribute to a climate-resilient future for Qatar.
Dr. Ali Al-Khalifa emphasized that the MoU marks a significant step towards making Qatar's free zones among the world's most sustainable, highlighting the importance of integrating sustainability in all operations. By leveraging GORD's expertise, QFZ aims to equip businesses with the tools and support needed to achieve their environmental objectives.
Additionally, as part of the MoU, GORD and QFZ will organize workshops, training sessions, and seminars to enhance the knowledge and skills of stakeholders in green building practices and GSAS implementation. The two entities will also collaborate on research projects focused on sustainability, innovation, and environmental research, contributing to the advancement of green building technologies and solutions.