The Gulf Organisation for Research and Development (GORD) and JMJ Group Holding have joined forces to drive sustainable urban development in Qatar through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The signing ceremony took place as part of GORD's 15th anniversary celebration during Project Qatar 2024 at the Doha Exhibition & Convention Center (DECC), where GORD participated as the Official Sustainability Partner of the event. The MoU was signed by Dr. Yousef Alhorr, GORD's Founding Chairman, and Sheikh Jabor Bin Mansour Bin Jabor Al Thani, Chairman of JMJ Group Holding.

The primary focus of the MoU is to foster collaboration in the implementation of GORD's leading green building rating system, the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS), across JMJ's projects in Qatar. JMJ Group Holding, through its subsidiary JMJ Real Estate, already holds an impressive portfolio of GSAS-certified developments in Lusail City. With the recently signed MoU, the group of companies seeks to expand its commitment to sustainable built environment across other projects located in the country’s prime locations, including The Pearl Qatar. By leveraging GSAS, both organizations aim to accelerate the development of sustainable cities and communities in Qatar and the wider region.

Speaking about the latest collaboration with JMJ Group Holding, Dr. Yousef Alhorr, Founding Chairman of GORD, said, “While the most direct outcome of this collaboration will undoubtedly be the expansion of green building best practices as guided by the GSAS framework, we believe that this MoU will also have a far-reaching impact. Considering the fact that JMJ Group boasts a diverse portfolio of around 50 companies, this partnership holds immense potential to catalyze sustainable transformation across various sectors beyond the built environment. Ultimately, our shared aim is to catalyze a positive change across Qatar and the region."

Sheikh Jabor Bin Mansour Bin Jabor Al Thani, Chairman of JMJ Group Holding, added, “Sustainability is a cornerstone of our ethos at JMJ, and we are honored to collaborate with GORD to advance this shared commitment. Leveraging GORD's unparalleled expertise and extensive experience in environmental sustainability will undoubtedly elevate our environmental performance and enhance our ability to implement best practices across our diverse portfolio of projects.”

In addition to their joint efforts in GSAS implementation, GORD and JMJ Group Holding also seek collaboration in various other areas, including capacity building through training and educational programs, research and development (R&D) to support sustainable innovations, and initiatives aimed at carbon mitigation.

Apart from the MoU signing ceremony with JMJ Group Holding, GORD, in its capacity as the Official Sustainability Partner of Project Qatar 2024, hosted a series of engagement activities at the event. At its pavilion, the organization showcased low-carbon solutions developed by its various centers of excellence and affiliates. Live demonstrations and knowledge-sharing videos highlighted GORD's sustainable technologies and software solutions, piquing the interest of professionals attending Project Qatar 2024. Throughout the event, researchers, innovators and sustainability experts from GORD and its affiliates were available to address inquiries and provide information on the latest advancements in climate finance, additive manufacturing, eco-friendly building materials, green building certifications, ESG best practices and energy-efficient technologies among other topics.