The Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu (RCJY) has achieved a significant milestone with Yanbu Industrial City's inclusion in the World Council on City Data (WCCD) Global Cities Registry.

 

The city has been awarded the ISO37123 certificate for Sustainable Cities and Communities – Indicator for Resilient Cities, becoming the first in Saudi Arabia to receive this international accreditation.

 

RCJY said it was keen to boost the resilience and sustainability of cities, to help them grow, prosper, adapt to changes, and conserve national resources.

 

The commission’s approach is to ensure the integration and coherence of all works, enabling its cities to continue providing services to stakeholders in routine and emergency circumstances, and to raise the quality of life and the status of these cities, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030.

The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) today (March 13) laid the foundation stone for its AED440 million ($120 million) hospitality project - Sofitel Legend Pyramids Giza - in Egypt. 

 

A luxury five-star hotel, it will feature 302 rooms equipped with state-of-the-art amenities. The property will also house a selection of international restaurants and entertainment facilities, positioning it as a premier destination for luxury hospitality.

 

The project is being financed through a strategic partnership between the private sectors of the UAE and Egypt, said the statement from ADFD. 

 

ADFD is contributing 84.28% of the project’s capital through Abu Dhabi Tourism Investment Company (ADTIC). Additionally, Abu Dhabi National Hotels owns 10.22%, Overseas Tourism Investment Company holds 0.4%, Misr Hotels Company owns 2.73%, and the Egyptian General Company for Tourism & Hotels owns 2.37%.

 

It will be a landmark addition to the hospitality and tourism sector in Egypt and the broader Middle East, thus reinforcing the UAE’s commitment to advancing global economic partnerships and supporting sustainable development, it stated.

 

This comes as part of its efforts to support and revitalise Egypt’s tourism sector and enhance strategic investments, it added.

 

The foundation was jointly laid by Mohamed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of ADFD, and Engineer Adel Al-Najjar, the Governor of Giza, from the Egyptian government, in the presence of officials from both sides.

 

Blending rich history with modern luxury, the project promises an exceptional hospitality experience that meets the highest international standards. Abu Dhabi Tourism Investment Company is partnering with Accor Group, a globally renowned hospitality brand, to manage the hotel and ensure excellence in service and guest experience.

 

On the deal, Al Suwaidi said: Sofitel Legend Pyramids Giza is a significant step in strengthening Egypt’s tourism sector, offering a world-class hotel experience that underscores our commitment to sustainable investments in promising markets."

 

"Through our partnership with Accor Group, we aim to elevate the tourism industry while supporting economic and social development in Egypt," he stated.

 

Al Suwaidi called this investment a reflection of ADFD’s commitment to advancing sustainable development projects and driving investment partnerships that fuel economic growth in partner countries.

 

Lauding the ADFD support, Al Najjar said: "We appreciate Abu Dhabi Fund for Development’s commitment to supporting Egypt’s development projects, particularly in key economic sectors like tourism."

 

"The Sofitel Legend Pyramids Giza project represents a transformative step in strengthening our tourism infrastructure, enabling us to attract visitors from around the world thanks to its strategic location near Egypt’s most iconic archaeological sites," he added.-TradeArabia News Service

Etihad Energy Services Company (Etihad Esco), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa), has announced the completion of Dubai’s first energy savings performance contract (ESPC) with proven results.

 

Launched in 2015, the retrofit project, which involved several buildings, was successfully concluded in 2024. It marks a significant milestone in Dubai's transformation into a smart, green city, offering an innovative model for enhancing energy efficiency in buildings and facilities.

 

The retrofit project further establishes global benchmarks, demonstrating the potential to significantly reduce operational costs through improved operations, in line with the Dubai Demand Side Management Strategy 2050, said a statement from Dewa.

 

The pioneering project included a comprehensive retrofit of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, lighting, water and building insulation systems at Dewa’s facilities, including its headquarters and Dewa buildings in Al Hudaiba, Umm Ramool, Al Wasl and Burj Nahar, as well as the administrative buildings at the G and L stations.

 

Dewa’s headquarters also underwent a comprehensive retrofit of the chilled water system, including the installation of advanced chillers with a magnetic bearing system. 

 

These improvements enhance infrastructure, promote operational excellence and support energy consumption reduction and environmental conservation.

 

Over six years, the project achieved savings of approximately 35.2 gigawatt hours of electricity and 2.8 million imperial gallons of water, while reducing nearly 14,452 tonnes of CO2 emissions, it stated.

 

Dr Waleed Alnuaimi, the CEO of Etihad Esco, said this project highlights the depth of the partnership between the two organisations in driving sustainability. 

 

"We are proud of our active role in making Dubai one of the most sustainable cities globally, through pioneering projects that promote energy efficiency and generate long-term financial and environmental savings," he stated.

 

The benefits of the project are not limited to direct savings but extend to enhancing smart infrastructure and raising operational performance standards, supporting Dubai's ambitions to become a global hub for innovation and energy efficiency, he added.-TradeArabia News Service