Nakheel in a step to ensure the long-term sustainability of its offshore developments has signed a strategic agreement with the United Nations University (UNU). The agreement on Marine Ecosystem Management engages a team of leading coastal management experts and includes a review of Nakheel’s existing monitoring activities. The partnership will also see the development of a comprehensive environmental monitoring programme for the waters of the Gulf region that will help maintain sustainable marine ecosystems and mitigate adverse impacts.

Under the four-year agreement, plans will be designed and implemented for sustainable management of the marine environments in and around Nakheel’s major coastal development projects such as The Palm Jumeirah, The Palm Jebel Ali, The World, and Dubai Waterfront.

Senior officials from the UNU’s Canadian-based International Network on Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), and from the Environment department of Nakheel Design Group formally agreed the landmark collaboration - “Strategic Management of Marine Ecosystems in Nakheel Projects” in Dubai. The agreement was signed by Chris O’Donnell, Nakheel Chief Executive, and Dr. Zafar Adeel – UNU-INWEH Director.

Dr. Zafar Adeel said: “This agreement will not only help manage and protect the marine environment around the Nakheel projects, it offers tangible ways for others in the region – through training opportunities and the triennial conferences – to benefit from insights gained through the Nakheel experience. It is our goal that efforts under this agreement help improve marine management throughout the Middle East while ensuring that the best possible, proactive management systems are in place to protect Dubai’s coastal areas.”

UNU-INWEH brings an extensive experience on environmental studies in assessing coastal marine environments, and it draws on both the leading academic and industrial expertise. UNU-INWEH is a United Nations entity focused on finding ways to address the global water crisis, and serving as a not-for profit organization, it provides unbiased and objective analysis.

The signing ceremony culminates an effort that began with a Memorandum of Understanding on Coastal Zone Management signed by His Excellency, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Nakheel Executive Chairman, and the UNU-INWEH in July 2003. This was followed by UNU-INWEH’s initial report 11 months later to Nakheel: “Building a management Program for an Effective and Sustainable Environment for the Palm Island Project – Dubai.”

Phase II of the partnership with the UNU illustrates Nakheel’s commitment to ensuring environmental best practice, the long-term environmental sustainability of its developments and the transparency of its environmental data.

Chris O’Donnell said: “Nakheel has the largest in-house, dedicated environmental team of its type in the region, and issues of environmental sustainability have been a fundamental focus from the company’s inception. The second phase of our work with UNU is the next step in working towards the long term environmental sustainability of our projects for generations to come. This partnership will ensure that we can develop international best practice, provide independent and comprehensive environmental data, and also benefit the region at large with our research.”