Maktoum bin Mohammed attends 69th edition of FIABCI World Congress in Dubai

Dubai, UAE, May 02, 2018:   Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, attended a number of sessions during the 69th edition of the FIABCI World Congress in Dubai. The event was organised by Dubai Land Department in cooperation with the International Real Estate Federation and is taking place under a ‘Happy Cities’ theme at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

His Highness the Deputy Ruler attended a ‘Real Estate and Happiness’ session hosted by Paul Scialla, Founder and CEO of Delos, who stressed that happiness is the greatest goal of human life. Based on this comprehensive concept, any activity should ultimately lead to happiness, which holds true across all sectors and especially real estate.

His Highness also attended an ‘Urban Planning for Happiness’ session led by Dr. Kenneth Yeang King Mun, who is an architect, planner and environmental scientist, and spoke about the importance of urban planning in achieving happiness. He shed light on the urban and real estate progress that has resulted from the Emirate’s ‘Urban Plan 2020’, which seeks to drive urban and environmental development by adopting best practices and promoting urban sustainability throughout all stages of planning. Ultimately, this approach creates a balance between resources, population growth, and social and demographic transformation, positioning Dubai as a leader in creating legislative frameworks for the entire process of planning happy cities.

His Excellency Sultan Butti bin Mejren, Director General of DLD, welcomed all guests attending the FIABCI World Congress 2018 - Dubai, stressing the fact that happiness is the main focus of the real estate sector in Dubai and underpins all operations in the sector, from sound planning and optimisation, to completion and delivery.

Bin Mejren added: “Dubai residents enjoy a happy and good life, and to enhance this DLD focuses on green building requirements, sustainability policies, and convenient facilities and health standards in line with the directives of the founder of our modern renaissance — His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.” 

Dubai hopes to present a success model for happy cities to the world as the Emirate has achieved impressive results that bring pride and happiness to its real estate sector. This was confirmed by Bin Mejren, who highlighted that Dubai has become one of the world’s happiest destinations for living, investing and working thanks to the availability of world-class, integrated real estate and economic services.

Farook Mahmoud, FIABCI World President, praised Dubai's capabilities to ensure the success of the event and commented: “In reviewing Dubai’s current position and its planning and organising strategy, we recognise the importance of early urban planning for happiness. We praise the Emirate’sleadership for transforming Dubai into a world-leading city that highlights urban progress and the optimal balance of requirements and objectives through best practices, helping it achieve urban sustainability.”

The congress has attracted unprecedented attention by hosting more than 1,500 real estate experts and more than 70 speakers from 20 countries will participate at the FIABCI World Congress 2018 – Dubai, addressing a number of important topics. The first day was filled with interesting topics for city planners from across the world, including real estate, happiness, happy cities and the future, urban planning of happy cities and inclusive and happy communities.