Chairman's Message

Dr. Yousef Alhorr

Founding Chairman

The World Bank last year released its 2019 Gulf Economic Update titled Economic Diversification for a Sustainable and Resilient GCC. Navigating the environment-economy nexus, the thrust of this report lies in an imperative need for the region to incorporate sustainability as part of its economic framework. Considering its economic landscape primarily driven by hydrocarbons, the region understandably holds a difficult position on sustainability front. According to the World Bank, the Gulf region remains the most water-scarce region in the world, only 1.63% of its land is arable and a massive portion of its waste is consistently being dumped into landfills. It is then no surprise that the region generates some of the highest levels of greenhouse gas emissions.

That said, with challenges has also surfaced a growing awareness that necessitates a paradigm shift. Governments across the region are increasingly devising policies and strategies to achieve low-carbon economic diversification.

Playing a pivotal role in mobilizing efforts to achieve low-carbon economy, GORD has remained in the vanguard of the region’s sustainable development. Over the years, the organization has made tangible contributions through its centers of excellence focused on capacity building, incubating research, fostering innovation and disseminating knowledge within the sustainability milieu. To this end, GORD Institute has been established to innovate in the field of environmental sustainability. Through multidisciplinary research projects in areas of eco materials, energy efficiency, HVAC solutions, environmental sciences, renewable energy, and carbon & climate change, the idea behind GORD Institute is to provide a launching pad where researchers can conceptualize, develop and test sustainable solutions for their viability and suitability for the region.
GORD Institute is committed to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals and Qatar National Vision. The Institute's research is founded on the pillars of sustainable development science, innovation and interdisciplinary cooperation.
Our vision is to be the leading research entity driving sustainability endeavors and climate actions in MENA region, by addressing the global challenges in the regional context.
At GORD Institute, we are committed to facilitate scientific research and foster support for a knowledge-based society with a broader ambition to create a sustainable world.

At GORD, we firmly believe that sustainable development and scientific research go hand in hand. Precisely for this reason, GORD Institute is there to foster innovation, advance knowledge, share experiences and build networks to support and catalyze Qatar’s sustainable development in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.