Why this forum
Circularity in materials, manufacturing and the built environment. Launch of the MENA Climate Initiative.
Programme
ThemeCircular ConstructionCircularity in materials, manufacturing and the built environment — how manufacturers, developers and green building bodies are reducing waste, closing material loops and rethinking product lifecycles across the construction value chain. Locally, an estimated 10–15% of building materials are wasted during construction, and construction and demolition waste makes up 70–75% of the UAE's total solid waste — why circularity is central to the green-building agenda, with particular attention to the embodied carbon locked into materials across manufacture, transport and construction.
FormatModerated discussion-style forum at the EGBC LoungeShort framing remarks from each speaker, followed by an open, cross-sector dialogue with attendees — an intimate lounge setting meant for candid exchange rather than a conventional panel.
08:30 – 09:00Registration, refreshments & networking
09:00 – 09:10Welcome remarks & agendaAdrienne Doolan, Managing Director, CEBC MENA
09:10 – 09:20Keynote AddressDr. Abdullatif Al Bitawi, CEO, Emirates Green Building Council
09:20 – 10:20Panel discussionAbdullatif Al Bitawi, CEO, EGBC · Nadia Ibrahim, Founder, EcoVista Sustainability Advisors · Dr. Firas Fayssal, Business Development Director, WCS-UAE · Vineet Sharma, Head of Sustainability & ESG, Arabian Gulf Steel Industries (AGSI) · Moderator: Sufiya Sheikh, RAK Ceramics
10:20 – 10:40Networking coffee break
10:40 – 11:00Case study on Circularity (topic to be confirmed)With AGSI
11:00 – 11:30Open floor: Q&A and audience discussion
11:30 – 12:00Closing remarks & networking
OrganisersClean Energy Business Council MENA (CEBC) — convening organisation and platform owner
OrganisersKai Kata FZE — co-producer of the Degrees in Action series
OrganisersEmirates Green Building Council (EGBC) — hosting venue
Speaker details confirmed on an ongoing basis. Agenda subject to change.Voices
Previously — what happened in the room
The MENA Climate Initiative launched with a moderated forum on circularity in materials, manufacturing and the built environment. Framing remarks from each speaker were followed by an open, cross-sector dialogue with attendees.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
0110–15% of building materials are wasted during construction in the UAE; C&D waste is 70–75% of total solid waste.
02Embodied carbon across manufacture, transport and construction was the recurring theme in the open floor.
03Outputs feed CEBC’s Circularity Working Group and the programme for Forums 02 and 03.
Seats for 01 — Building Circularity are limited and by registration. Sign in with LinkedIn to reserve one — it also makes you a free MENA Climate member.
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