Founding Chairman of GORD and GCC Dr. Yousef M. Alhorr, and Director General of EPDA Dr. Mohammed bin Yousif Al Madfaei showing documents after signing an agreement.
Doha, Qatar: The Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (GORD), the Global Carbon Council (GCC), and the Environment Protection and Development Authority (EPDA) of Ras Al Khaimah have entered into a strategic tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at accelerating climate action, fostering high-integrity carbon markets, enhancing biodiversity conservation and advancing sustainable urban development across the region.
The agreement was signed by Founding Chairman of GORD and GCC Dr. Yousef M. Alhorr, and Director General of EPDA Dr. Mohammed bin Yousif Al Madfaei.
By bridging the distinct institutional strengths of the three organisations, the partnership creates a powerful ecosystem capable of driving comprehensive environmental solutions. As a premier research and consultancy hub, GORD will leverage its extensive expertise in scientific innovation, technical advisory, and the implementation of green building and infrastructure standards. Concurrently, the Global Carbon Council, as the first internationally recognised carbon crediting programme originating from the Global South, will contribute its world-class, rigorous infrastructure.
Backed by approvals under the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM), GCC brings unparalleled credibility to the development of regional carbon finance mechanisms.
Complementing these capabilities, EPDA will anchor the initiatives within the strategic regulatory landscape of the United Arab Emirates, deploying its governmental mandate as the primary authority for environmental legislation, natural resource conservation, and enforcement in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah.
Reflecting on the strategic importance of the agreement, Dr. Yousef M. Alhorr, Founding Chairman GORD and GCC, said: “True decarbonisation demands more than localised emission reduction targets; it requires the deployment of rigorous asset registries, robust greenhouse gas verification protocols, and structured frameworks aligned with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
