Dr. Yousef Alhorr, the Founding Chairman of the Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (GORD), has received the prestigious Takreem Award for Sustainability and Environmental Leadership. The award was presented during the 13th edition of the Arab Excellence Awards Ceremony, organized by Takreem Foundation in Muscat, Oman.

The awards ceremony, attended by over 500 distinguished figures from various sectors including politics, culture, science, arts, media and business, provided a platform to celebrate the exceptional achievements of Arab leaders and innovators. This year's ceremony paid tribute to Palestine, recognizing the sacrifices made by its people, including the martyrs, the wounded, journalists and doctors.

In response to receiving the prestigious award, Dr. Yousef Alhorr said, “I am humbled and deeply honored to be recognized among esteemed peers for our contributions to environmental development and sustainability. This award symbolizes the collective dedication of my team and partners toward creating a more sustainable future for generations to come. Environmental sustainability has been my lifelong passion, and acknowledgments like the Takreem Awards go a long way in accelerating our work towards climate resilience. They not only validate our efforts but also serve as a powerful catalyst for further action and innovation in the field.”

Takreem Foundation, renowned for its commitment to recognizing Arab achievements and fostering excellence, selected Dr. Alhorr for this prestigious award in acknowledgment of his pioneering efforts in advancing environmental sustainability including the development of Synergia9n1 – an ultra-efficient multimodal cooling system that has garnered widespread recognition. Dr. Alhorr’s efforts in the development and implementation of the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) has led to GSAS being recognized as the fastest growing green building rating system for new projects in the Gulf region. Furthermore, Dr. Alhorr is also the founding chairman of Global Carbon Council (GCC) – MENA region's first voluntary carbon market with 1500+ GHG reduction projects submitted to it from more than 40 countries.

The Takreem Award for Environmental Development and Sustainability Leadership adds to the list of Dr. Alhorr’s regional and international recognitions. Notably, in 2022, he was awarded the Energy Innovator of the Year by the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) for his contributions to energy efficiency and conservation through the development of Synergia9n1.

Dr. Yousef Alhorr's recognition with the award for Sustainability and Environmental Leadership follows a comprehensive selection process. Takreem employs an objective mechanism, utilizing a two-stage process to thoroughly evaluate and assess the credentials of potential candidates. Initially, candidates are identified through public nominations and extensive research conducted by Takreem. Subsequently, the Selection Board, comprised of esteemed professionals, screens and shortlists the candidates. Finally, the Jury Board, consisting of distinguished political, cultural, economic, and humanitarian figures, evaluates the nominees and votes for one laureate in each of the nine categories.

Established in 2009, Takreem Foundation has been instrumental in recognizing and celebrating Arab talent across a wide range of categories, including Corporate Leadership, Cultural Excellence, Excellence in Education, Science and Technological Achievement, Young Entrepreneurship, and Lifetime Achievement. The Foundation's commitment to promoting Arab excellence has led to the successful hosting of the Arab Excellence Awards in various countries, highlighting the diverse achievements of Arab individuals and institutions on the global stage. Over the years, the Arab Excellence Awards have been hosted in various nations across the Arab world, spanning from Lebanon, Qatar and Bahrain to France, Morocco, the UAE, Cairo and Kuwait.