Ministry of Environment & Water and Dubai Silicon Oasis Honours Environmental Partners

Dubai-UAE: 11 July, 2013 – Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), the integrated free zone technology park, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Water (MoEW), concluded its activities for the 2013 World Environment Day with an awards ceremony to recognise partners from the government and private sector for their contributions to the three-day celebrations that was themed "Think, Eat, Save" and hosted for the third consecutive year at Dubai Mall.

Eng. Muammar Al Katheeri, Executive Vice-President - Engineering Management at DSOA, and Intisar Mohamed Obaid Al Falasi, acting Director of International Cooperation Department at MoEW, honoured the partners with certificates and trophies at the ceremony.

This year, Dubai Police, Dubai Health Authority, Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority, General Pensions and Social Security Authority (GPSSA), Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Imdaad, Dubai Mall and the Indian High School International joined the initiative.

The World Environment Day activities, organized by the MoEW and DSO, ran from 3-5 June at the Dubai Mall featuring activities such as a music parade by Dubai Police and one-act plays by school students. Special focus was also placed on the main theme to encourage people to be eco-friendly eaters and grow aware of the negative impact of food waste. As part of the joint activities, Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority also hosted a tree planting activity at the free zone technology park in collaboration with the DSO-based International Indian High School.

Eng. Muammar Al Katheeri said: “DSOA has a three-pronged corporate social responsibility strategy – environment, human capital and community. As part of our CSR agenda, we are keen to spearhead community-centric awareness initiatives. Mobilising our stakeholders goes a long way in making a meaningful difference.

“Integral to our success is the active engagement of our partners who help us convey the message of environmental awareness to their staff and external stakeholders. The awards rightfully acknowledge our valuable partners in the ministry as well as other government and private bodies. This year's theme was very beneficial and allowed us to educate the audience about the importance of reducing food waste, which has a direct impact on personal savings, minimising the environmental impact of food production, and making food production processes more efficient.”

Intisar Mohamed Obaid Al Falasi said: “It is great to be part of community events that help us create awareness on crucial issues such as food conservation. DSO has done a tremendous job over the last few years and we are pleased to support their initiatives around the World Environment Day that resonate with our vision of assuring environmental sustainability for life.”

A wholly-owned entity of Dubai Government, Dubai Silicon Oasis operates as a free zone technology park for the semiconductor, microelectronic and other high technology-based companies looking to set up their regional headquarters and R&D facilities in the Middle East and Africa region.