AHRI MENA Newsletter

September 18, 2023

AHRI/ Industry News

AHRI Moderates Panel on the Role of Service and Maintenance Sector in Sustainable Cooling at MENA Cool Forum

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AHRI was proud to be the supporting partner for the MENA Cool Forum 2023, held September 11 – 12 at Conrad Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi. Organized by The Great Minds Group, the Forum gathered the region’s key district cooling and HVACR stakeholders to discuss critical topics, including modernization, digital transformation, regulations, the energy-water nexus, upcoming projects, and the latest in joint ventures and partnerships.

On September 12, AHRI MENA Managing Director Nabil Shahin moderated the panel, The Role of the Service and Maintenance Sector in Perpetuating Sustainable Cooling, at the Forum. The discussion shed light on crucial aspects of maintaining sustainable cooling systems in the MENA region. It included ASHRAE Falcon Chapter members, President-Elect Abdallah Mahmoud, Nominating Committee Member Bassel Anbari, and Treasurer Mohamed Eltaieb Ibrahim.

Panelists stressed the critical areas that maintenance and service sectors should prioritize to ensure sustainable cooling practices, including energy efficiency, indoor air quality, ventilation, and regulatory standards. The group also emphasized the vital role of technician training in ensuring proper maintenance and service of cooling systems and strategies to increase awareness among end users and the public about the importance of sustainable cooling practices. Contact: Nabil Shahin. 

AHRI and EmiratesGBC Sign MOU to Advance Sustainable Building Practices

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AHRI and the Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance sustainable building practices and foster innovation in the HVACR industry. The agreement represents a crucial milestone in the journey toward collaboration, knowledge exchange, and the pursuit of shared goals for a more sustainable future. The collective aim is to drive energy efficiency, improve indoor air quality, and promote sustainable solutions. Contact: Hassan Kal.

AHRI MENA and Emirates GBC Host Webinar on Efficiency and the Importance of Certification

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On September 14, AHRI’s MENA team and the Emirates Green Building Council held a free webinar as part of the World Green Building Week titled Building the Transition: A Look into Energy and Certification. The webinar provided HVACR contractors, engineers, and consultants with valuable insights regarding energy efficiency and the importance of certification in the built environment. View the webinar here. Contact: Hassan Kal.

AHRI Joins Workshop for UAE Blueprint on Sustainability in the Built Environment

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On August 30, AHRI participated in the first workshop dedicated to crafting a comprehensive white paper on sustainability in the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) built environment ahead of the upcoming COP28

The meeting, chaired by H.E. Razan Al Mubarak, the UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for the leadership team of COP28 UAE, was attended by various stakeholders, including construction developers, financial institutions, and other entities.

AHRI’s presence at this workshop signifies the association’s commitment to advancing environmental stewardship in the HVACR and water heating industry. Contact: Nabil Shahin.

AHRI's Nabil Shahin to Judge the 2023 MENA Green Building Awards

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AHRI MENA Managing Director Nabil Shahin has been invited to judge the 2023 MENA Green Building Awards. The event celebrates and recognizes outstanding achievements in sustainable building practices, promoting environmental conservation and sustainable development in the region. By showcasing innovative projects and fostering collaboration among professionals, policymakers, and industry leaders, the awards drive positive change, raise awareness about the benefits of green building, and set standards for future developments.

The MENA Green Building Awards is endorsed by the World Green Building Council and seven regional green building councils (Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Tunisia, Palestine). Awards are issued in several categories, including Net Zero Building Project of the Year, Green Building Project of the Year, and Healthy Spaces Project of the Year. Contact: Nabil Shahin.

Regulatory

Progress Made in Finalizing a Harmonized Standard for Air Conditioners in the GCC

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The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and the GCC Standardization Organization (GSO) have come closer to establishing a harmonized standard for small-capacity air conditioners, GSO 2530.

The standard draft was finalized with the GSO Technical Committee in a meeting recently chaired by AHRI. Bahrain's Electricity and Water Minister, Yasser bin Ibrahim Humaidan attended the meeting and praised the GSO and its technical committees for their efforts in establishing high-quality harmonized standards that will significantly contribute to the region's sustainability targets.

GSO 2530 will provide a cohesive set of specifications, requirements, labels, and minimum energy performance standards (MEPs) to ensure market transparency and encourage fair competition. It will be presented to the GSO Standards Technical Committee for approval and then released for public review. The review process will incorporate input from relevant manufacturers and stakeholders. The standard is expected to be fully adopted by the GCC member countries by the end of 2023. Contact: Nabil Shahin.