THE Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) on Wednesday made a formal agreement with the UAE's leading property companies, committing them to a major community initiative for Year of Giving 2017. A ceremony held on the second day of Cityscape Abu Dhabi saw the UPC sign a Service Level Agreement (SLA) that officially launches its ‘CSR Year of Giving Initiative'. Under the agreement, the UPC will work with private sector companies to establish new community amenities such as mosques, public parks, walkways, playgrounds and sports facilities throughout Abu Dhabi, as well as honor UAE's Martyrs. A dedicated team will manage all of the contributions and decide the location of future projects as well as costs. Under the agreement, the companies will target areas of Abu Dhabi that currently lack community facilities, as well as launch fundraising events to support the provision for them. Falah Al Ahbabi, Director General of the UPC, said: "We are really proud to see the private sector actively involved in this initiative, and supporting us to work together towards building new sustainable communities that meet the expectations of our society and raise their living standards." "Their generosity is following in the footsteps of our Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. His legacy led by H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President, lives on through the kind-hearted donations from private sector businesses." Maryam Mohammed Al Rumaithi, Director General of the Family Development Foundation and Abu Dhabi Representative in the central coordination of the Year of Giving Committee, said: "I am pleased to extend my gratitude to the UPC for its efforts in bringing this initiative to fruition through different projects and impressive contributions." Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, CEO of Aldar Properties, said: "When launching the Year of Giving, H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan declared the importance of strengthening social responsibility in the private sector, aimed at encouraging our role in serving the country and contributing to its development."
