Why is the fast-growing HVAC&R Building Service industry – with its direct ability to address the role that buildings play in the climate crisis – experiencing an inability to attract new talent? “Empowering Our Workforce: Building a Sustainable Future” delves into this question by highlighting the emergence of new technologies to the industry and explores the imperative to remain adaptive and forward-thinking in shaping the engineers and building scientists of the future.

The Gulf Organization for Research and Development (GORD) established in 2009, led by a team of highly skilled, and multi-disciplinary committed experts, is proud of its leadership in the sustainability drive of the built environment. GORD has pioneered a comprehensive framework for green building certification specific to the needs of the region, through development and implementation of Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) for building and infrastructure from micro and macro level perspectives. The multi-disciplinary scientific research programs of GORD aim to foster innovation, advance knowledge, share experiences and build networks to enhance the sustainability of the built environment. In addition, the human and institutional capacity building needed to synergize the efforts towards sustainable development has led GORD to adopt multi-dimensional capacity building approaches for addressing the needs of public, governments and businesses. I believe that the holistic sustainability approach embarked upon by GORD will contribute to the global effort to meet the needs of the present without compromising the rights of future generations.