MASDAR officials hosted a delegation from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (KACARE) at Masdar City and provided a guided tour of the world's most sustainable urban development. The KACARE delegation began its two-day visit to Masdar City on Aug. 26 with a series of briefings at the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). During their visit, the delegation from KACARE, which is developing the KSA's nuclear and renewable energy programs, attended a presentation on the potential of renewables in energy-efficient climate control for buildings. They later received a technical presentation on the IRENA building's sustainable and energy-efficient design. The delegation's visit then concluded with a technical presentation of the IRENA headquarters building, which hosts the first intergovernmental agency based in the Middle East. The IRENA headquarters building is also the first office building in Abu Dhabi certified as four-Pearl by Estidama, Abu Dhabi's guidelines for sustainable construction best practices. Masdar is Abu Dhabi's renewable energy company which works to advance the development, commercialization and deployment of clean energy technologies and solutions. The company serves as a link between today's fossil fuel economy and the energy economy of the future. Wholly-owned by the Mubadala Development Company PJSC, the strategic investment company of the Government of Abu Dhabi, Masdar is dedicated to the Emirates' long-term vision for the future of energy and water. Masdar City is a pedestrian-friendly urban development and free zone that is establishing a ‘greenprint' for how urban centres can accommodate dense populations while reducing energy, water and waste consumption. — SG
