New Murabba, a company belonging to the Public Investment Fund (PIF), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) in Washington, D.C. The agreement establishes a formal framework for the two organisations to explore potential collaboration in the field of sustainable urban development.

Under the terms of the MoU, New Murabba and USGBC will investigate how global sustainability frameworks, including LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), could be applied across the New Murabba development. This exploration will encompass advanced certification models such as LEED v5 and LEED for Communities. The partnership will also seek opportunities to strengthen the design, construction, and operational practices of the project in alignment with global best practice standards.

The organisations will additionally examine areas such as knowledge exchange, training, sustainable community development, and aligning the project with international benchmarks that support long-term environmental performance. Further demonstrating its commitment to sustainability leadership, New Murabba has also joined the USGBC as a Platinum member.

Eissa Almunif, Chief Business Excellence Officer at New Murabba, commented on the significance of the agreement: “This MoU is an important step in our journey of learning, innovation and sustainability. Working with the U.S. Green Building Council allows us to explore how global best practices can shape the future of New Murabba. Our aim is to create a destination that places people, the planet and long-term prosperity at its center.”

Peter Templeton, president and CEO, USGBC and Green Build Certification Inc. (GBCI), expressed his support for the partnership: “We are proud and honored to partner with New Murabba as it creates a new downtown for residents, businesses, and visitors of Riyadh. Through this agreement, we look forward to supporting New Murabba’s commitment to building sustainability and pursuit of LEED certification. And we are excited to work together to share New Murabba’s lessons in leadership and innovation with stakeholders everywhere through education and knowledge exchange.”

The MoU with USGBC establishes a foundation for a far-reaching partnership, with specific project-based agreements and initiatives expected to follow in the future. New Murabba is committed to delivering a destination that not only meets international standards but actively transforms the way cities are constructed, setting a new global standard in sustainability, smart infrastructure, and overall quality of life.