the first all encompassing environmental event in Jeddah – opens today (Sunday) at Hilton Jeddah. This prestigious forum and exhibition brings international clients across all environmental sectors for a chance to exchange ideas and discuss solutions for a cleaner and brighter future. Held under the patronage of King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the event is initiated by the President of the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment Prince Turki Bin Nasser Bin Abdulaziz and organized by Saudi Environmental Society (SENS). GEF combines an international exhibition and strategic conference focusing on: renewable energy – solar, wind, nuclear waste management – recycling, waste to energy water, wastewater – water reuse, desalination environmental technology – green building, sustainable development. The Gulf Environment Forum provides a unique business platform for industry experts and innovators to demonstrate their expertise and play an active part in establishing a sustainable and environmentally responsible region for generations to come. Highly influential speakers from a wide range of industries will be presenting and leading interactive sessions throughout the three-day event. Alongside the forum, a comprehensive exhibition will take place offering a firsthand look at the latest green initiatives as well as sustainable and energy-efficient solutions. Ericsson will be exhibiting at the Swedish Pavilion, which is sponsored by the Swedish Trade Council in cooperation with the Embassy of Sweden in Riyadh, as part of effort to reaffirm its commitment to the Kingdom and the GCC region, and promote sustainable telecommunications. "This event provides us with an opportunity to raise awareness about our company's green initiatives and sustainability," said Ali Eid, president and head of Ericsson Saudi Arabia. "Ericsson continuously strives to provide environmentally sustainable solutions and as part of our commitment to promote innovative and cutting edge solutions to our customers, we launched the Middle East's first environmentally friendly mobile site in Riyadh in 2009 to provide energy efficient telecommunications while helping operators reduce costs," he added. One of the UK's leading providers of professional mapping solutions is expanding into the Middle East market by launching a Saudi company specializing in GIS and environmental monitoring. Emapsite Middle East has opened an office in Jeddah with an experienced team handling consultancy, training and technical contracts with government and business clients. The company, officially launched at the GEF, reflects a rapidly growing order book for Emapsite services across the region. Justin Saunders, international director of Emapsite Middle East, said the move comes amid growing recognition in the Gulf of the importance of GIS and hi-res satellite image integration. "It's a natural step given our specialist expertise and the rising demand in the Middle East for GIS as a critical part of engineering, environmental and multidisciplinary projects. We are ideally placed to help clients recognize and follow key environmental practices. We want our work to enable government and private sector organizations to play an active part in establishing a sustainable and environmentally responsible region for generations to come." As well as GIS and environmental monitoring, Emapsite Middle East brings together a range of experience in environmental impact assessments, habitat and ecosystems mapping, engineering and construction, and urban and infrastructure planning. Emapsite, one of the UK's leading providers of online mapping solutions, has for the past 17 months deployed consultants on a series of environmental projects in Saudi Arabia. They include a substantial baseline survey and coastal mapping of habitats for the Red Sea with the Presidency of Meteorology & Environment and an important GIS input into a fisheries project with the Ministry of Agriculture. As well as GIS itself, Emapsite Middle East will offer related geomatics tools and technologies, needs assessments, systems analysis and functional requirements for GIS applications. The event is anticipated to attract over 1,500 international decision makers, including ranking officials from both the public and private sectors.
