Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) has presented its Vision 2030 and key achievements to ambassadors from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The high level delegation was led by H.E. Mohamed Yusra Salleh, ambassador of Brunei Darussalam and chairman of the ASEAN committee and included the ambassadors from Brunei Darussalam, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, The Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia.

They were given a presentation on Abu Dhabi's Vision 2030, along with the UPC's achievements in planning sustainable, well managed communities to support the realisation of the vision.

And they learned about the Emirate-wide development strategies, the UPC's sustainability programme, Estidama, and the Complete Sustainable Communities (CSC) initiative.

The ASEAN delegates were also given an overview of all of the UPC's Emirate-wide framework plans including Plan Capital 2030, Plan Al Ain 2030, Plan Al Gharbia 2030 and Plan Maritime 2030, with a focus on the Plan Capital 2030 Update to highlight investment and employment opportunities driven by the forecasted growth in the region.

Senior UPC officials presented an overview of some of the Emirate's most notable projects, including Cleveland Clinic, Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD), Emirates Nuclear Energy's Nuclear Station in Al Gharbia, the new Central Business District on Al Maryah Island, Saadiyat Island and Etihad Rail.

Their visit follows several recent knowledge-exchange trips to Abu Dhabi by international officials. Earlier this year, a team from Saudi Arabia's Economic Cities Authority spent two days in Abu Dhabi learning about the UPC's planning methods.

H.E. Falah Al Ahbabi, the UPC's general manager, said: "The UPC's mandate is to responsibly plan for and define the shape of the Emirate, ensuring the development of professionally designed, sustainable and well-managed urban environments to achieve Vision 2030.

"As such, the strengthening of ties between the UAE and our international friends is essential. It's wonderful to see international interest in Abu Dhabi and its inspirational Vision 2030, in addition to the many projects we are working on; we are now accustomed to opening new horizons and welcoming cooperation between countries, peoples and cultures to help us work together to mutually benefit our respective countries."

Following the presentation, the ASEAN delegates were particularly interested in learning more about how their countries can further play a role in the development of the Emirate, particularly in growth areas such as technology, construction, finance and tourism.

They also discussed with the UPC's officials about how Vision 2030 interacts with the strategic plans for other Emirates and the key national projects, such as Etihad Rail. Investment opportunities within Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE were also highlighted.

By Gavin Gibbon

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