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AstraZeneca Unveils State-of-the-Art Sustainable Offices at Dubai Science Park

by Swati Gupta

September 27, 2023 11

Dubai, UAE – AstraZeneca, a global leader in healthcare, celebrated the inauguration of its cutting-edge sustainable offices located within Dubai Science Park, a subsidiary of Tecom Group PJSC. These newly unveiled offices represent a significant milestone in AstraZeneca’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint in the UAE and supporting the transition towards sustainable healthcare.

This initiative is closely aligned with AstraZeneca’s global Ambition Zero Carbon program and includes plans for transitioning to electric vehicles (EV100) by 2025. Furthermore, the company is set to introduce its first next-generation inhaler featuring a near-zero global warming potential propellant in the UAE market.

The inauguration event brought together prominent figures in the healthcare sector, including Dr. Amin Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary of Health Regulation Sector at the Ministry of Health and Prevention; Dr. Ahmed Alkhazraji, Executive Director of Strategy and Policy at the Department of Health Abu Dhabi; Dr. Ramadan Al Blooshi, Director of Public Health & Protection Department at Dubai Health Authority; Pascal Soriot, CEO of AstraZeneca; Abdulla Belhoul, Chief Executive Officer of Tecom Group; and Marwan Abdulaziz Janahi, Senior Vice-President of Dubai Science Park, along with other senior health leaders in the UAE. Together, they emphasized the urgent need to accelerate the transition towards net-zero sustainable healthcare.

Spanning an impressive 20,000 square feet, the new AstraZeneca offices are designed to achieve platinum standards in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), a globally recognized symbol of sustainability excellence established by the US Green Building Council.

Sameh El Fangary, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Cluster President of AstraZeneca, remarked, “Climate change is the most significant threat to human health, and as a healthcare company, we bear a responsibility to take action. AstraZeneca shares the UAE’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees. Our sustainable offices will play a vital role in AstraZeneca’s mission to reduce emissions and achieve a science-based net-zero status by 2045 at the latest.”

What sets this event apart is the collaboration and unity demonstrated by the UAE’s healthcare ecosystem in recognizing the profound connection between health equity, health resilience, and climate action. It is evident that this mission is one that requires collective leadership and involvement from all stakeholders.

Marwan Abdulaziz Janahi, Senior Vice-President of Dubai Science Park, expressed, “As stewards of health and progress, science companies wield a significant influence on society and the environment. Embracing sustainable practices ensures that our actions today do not compromise the well-being of future generations. Encouraging eco-friendly innovation can strike a harmonious balance between scientific advancements and environmental preservation. By prioritizing sustainability, AstraZeneca has set a remarkable example for the science sector, aligning its efforts with Dubai Science Park’s aspirations to contribute to the Dubai Economic Agenda ‘D33’ and Dubai R&D Strategy, all while reinforcing our commitment to enabling sustainable scientific progress.”

The LEED platinum certification, which AstraZeneca’s offices at Dubai Science Park aim to attain, acknowledges the application of sustainability principles during the design, construction, and material selection phases of the facility. This certification positions AstraZeneca’s offices as a benchmark for efficiency and sustainability within the science sector, exemplifying the company’s dedication to both advancing healthcare and preserving the environment for future generations.