• – Sudan to become the main hub for all trades and transportations for six neighboring countries.
• – GORD to play a vital role during design and execution of Sudan future construction projects
• – Adoption and incorporation of the “GSAS" system in future projects to be considered by Sudanese ministers cabinet Doha 22nd of April.

Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (GORD), the authority for knowledge on sustainability in the MENA region, signs a Memondrum of Understanding with Sudan Railways Corporation (SRC) to empower all professionals working within the “Sudan Railways Rehabilitation Projects” with the necessary tools and means of sustainable development giving them the opportunity to create sustainable railways projects which minimize ecological impact while addressing the specific sustainable needs of the region.

The highly strategic partnership aims to consider the implementation of GSAS standards in the public transportation projects in Sudan, it also aims to build new channels of cooperation and to promote sustainability on a large scale through effective initiatives for reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions, encouraging the use of environmentally safe materials, and supporting green building projects. These in turn will help to achieve economic and environmental balance and maintain urban identity in the Republic of Sudan.

Noting that the railways lines span across over 4180 km in length, which connect more than 16 different states within Sudan territories, and it will be linked with six regional countries after the expansion phase, subsequently, the Republic of Sudan will become the main hub for all trades and transportations for all these neighboring countries.

On April 16th 2015, The MoU agreement was signed by Sudan Railways Corporation General Manager, Eng. Ibrahim Fadul Abdullahand, GORD Founding ChairmanDr. Yousef Alhorr, at GORD Headquarters located in QSTP in the presence of, Eng. Ahmed Ibrahim Ahmed, Undersecretary of Sudanese Ministry of Transport, and Eng. Abdulrahman Sharif – GM of General administration for projects and Mr. Salah AlAyoubi – GORD Marketing and Corporate Communications Director .

Dr. Yousef Alhorr, GORD’s Founding Chairman, emphasized the vital role of GORD in promoting sustainability best practices through developing sustainability rating systems, innovation & education. Also, Dr Alhorr stressed on the significant value of the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS), the 1st integrated and performance-based rating system for the construction industry in the MENA region which was built to adapt to local & regional conditions. GSAS standards to be considered in future Sudan construction projects is a clear blueprint for sustainable development in the country, which will ultimately help the Republic of Sudan to become among the leading countries in sustainability within the MENA region.

The GSAS Railways Design Assessment is a unique system in the world, specialized in assessing the developments within railways typology, and has been developed by specialized local & global teams of experts led by GORD, through studying the best practices used in these types of projects. The Qatar Railways Company (Qatar Rail) was the leader in adopting GSAS standards in a railways project as the first of its kind sustainable project in the world.