Always look straight ahead: President Armen Sarkissian presented in the innovative Masdar City his vision of future cities

President Armen Sarkissian, who is in the United Arab Emirates on official visit, visited today the innovative Masdar City.

Masdar City is a town built in Abu Dhabi. It is often also called the eco-city of the future which will be functioning exclusively on solar and renewable energy. The development philosophy of Masdar City is based on the principle of maintaining economic, social, and ecological sustainability. Through the reduction of refuse volumes, use of water resources, and introduction of new solutions to promote energy efficiency, Masdar has become a model for urban development.

At the same time, the Masdar complex of technologies and education, in cooperation with the Massachusetts Technological Institute, opens educational new prospects for students from different countries, including Armenia.

Accompanied by the Chief Executive Officer of Masdar City Yousef Ahmed Baselaib, President Sarkissian toured the territory of Masdar, inquired about the projects and programs of the innovative center, prospects for their implementation, and applied innovative ideas.

President Sarkissian in Masdar met also with the students from Armenia Maria and Arik, asked about their study progress and programs for the future.

“This is not just a city but rather a composition of different ideas and approaches. This is a city, as well as a research and educational center, at the same time business and foundation. This is also a huge investment. There were times when we had 10-11 students from Armenia here. Unfortunately, right now they are just a few, only three students. If managed efficiently, in two or three years these students can come back and implement the same ideas in Armenia,” President Armen Sarkissian said and underscored that in the 21st century, in which we live, such ideas will be in high demand.

“I believe, this is a good example of a center which we will definitely cooperate with and create the Armenian version of it, which will not replicate it but will be even better,” President Sarkissian said.

Responding to the questions of the journalists, the President of Armenia shared his vision of the future city.

“It will have a number of components,” the President noted. “One of them is critical – the newest technologies. Second, we need to have a vision looking 20-40 years ahead, we need to understand where the world will be years later and build a foundation which will lead us there. Third, to use our heritage, experience which we had for years. We need to get back to our roots, need to understand how people used to live in our area lest we lose that skills.”