Majid Al Futtaim Achieves the Well Health-Safety Rating for Its HQ and Announces One of Mena Region's Largest Well Health-Safety Rating Enrollments in the Retail Sector

NEW YORK, June 30, 2022 /3BL Media/ - The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) today announced that Majid Al Futtaim has enrolled 29 major malls and 11 office buildings across the Middle East and North Africa in the WELL Health-Safety Rating. The WELL Health-Safety Rating is an evidence-based, third-party verified rating for all new and existing building and space types focusing on operational policies, maintenance protocols, stakeholder engagement and emergency plans to address a post-COVID-19 environment now and into the future.

Majid Al Futtaim has a long history of working towards the effective and efficient management of its built environment assets and resources. The organization owns and operates more than 30 million square feet of certified green area across its offices, shopping malls, communities and various destinations. Majid Al Futtaim has been one of the first three signatories to the World Green Building Council’s Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment that states buildings must be net-zero carbon in operation by 2050 – a commitment that complements its strategy to be net positive in carbon and water by 2040. Earlier this year, its Dubai-based headquarters, which covers 363,000 square feet, received the WELL Health-Safety Rating.

“Majid Al Futtaim’s commitment to making its spaces healthier for both the occupants and the environment demonstrates incredible leadership in the region,” said Paul Scialla, founder of IWBI and founder and CEO of Delos.

Designed to empower owners and operators across large and small businesses alike to take the necessary steps in order to prioritize the health and safety of their staff, visitors and stakeholders, the WELL Health-Safety Rating can help guide users in preparing their spaces for re-entry in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, instilling confidence in those who come through the building as well as the broader community.

By the end of last year, nearly 21 million square feet of real estate were enrolled in WELL programs across eight countries in the MENA region, including Bahrain, Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates – representing an 18 percent increase in WELL adoption over the course of 2021.

“It’s incredibly exciting to see this kind of adoption in the Middle East and North Africa, and Majid Al Futtaim’s commitment speaks to the global necessity of people-first places,” said IWBI’s President and CEO Rachel Hodgdon.

The enrollment includes iconic properties like Mall of the Emirates and City Center Mirdif. As one of the leading shopping malls, communities, retail and leisure pioneers across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, Majid Al Futtaim has demonstrated a clear commitment to the health and well-being of their people.

“As an organisation that puts sustainability at the heart of our operations, we believe that the onus is on us to ensure that our destinations and workplaces maintain the highest health and well-being standards for our communities and our people,” said Ibrahim Al Zu’bi, Chief Sustainability Officer at Majid Al Futtaim.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has been a major reminder for us all that we should listen to science more and more,” he continued “Our partnership with WELL has been a valuable opportunity to guide and validate our efforts towards evidence-based health and well-being best practices. With us spending 90% of our day in indoor spaces, I’m extremely proud to achieve the WELL Health-Safety Rating for our workplaces and be committed to achieving the rating across our commercial assets.”

For more information on the WELL Health-Safety Rating, please visit https://www.wellcertified.com/health-safety/.

About the International WELL Building Institute
The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) is a public benefit corporation and the world’s leading organization focused on deploying people-first places to advance a global culture of health. IWBI mobilizes its community through the administration of the WELL Building Standard (WELL) and the WELL Health-Safety Rating, management of the WELL AP credential, the pursuit of applicable research, the development of educational resources, and advocacy for policies that promote health and well-being everywhere. More information on WELL can be found here.

International WELL Building Institute pbc is a wholly owned subsidiary of Delos Living LLC. International WELL Building Institute, IWBI, the WELL Building Standard, WELL v2, WELL Certified, WELL AP, WELL Score, The WELL Conference, We Are WELL, the WELL Community Standard, WELL Health-Safety Rating, WELL Health-Safety Rated, WELL Equity Rated, WELL Performance Rated, WELL Performance Rating, WELL and others, and their related logos are trademarks or certification marks of International WELL Building Institute pbc in the United States and other countries.

About Majid Al Futtaim
Founded in 1992, Majid Al Futtaim is the leading shopping mall, communities, retail and leisure pioneer across the Middle East, Africa and Asia. A remarkable business success story, Majid Al Futtaim started from one man’s vision to transform the face of shopping, entertainment and leisure to ‘create great moments for everyone, every day’. It has since grown into one of the United Arab Emirates’ most respected and successful businesses spanning 17 international markets, employing more than 41,000 people, and obtaining the highest credit rating (BBB) among privately held corporates in the region.

Majid Al Futtaim owns and operates 29 shopping malls, 13 hotels and four mixed-use communities, with further developments underway in the region. The shopping malls portfolio includes Mall of the Emirates, Mall of Egypt, Mall of Oman, City Centre malls, My City Centre neighbourhood centres, and five community malls which are in joint venture with the Government of Sharjah. The Company is the exclusive franchisee for Carrefour in over 30 markets across the Middle East, Africa and Asia, operating a portfolio of more than 400 outlets including City+, the region’s first checkout-free store, and an online store.

Majid Al Futtaim operates more than 600 VOX Cinemas screens as well as a portfolio of world-class leisure and entertainment experiences across the region including Ski Dubai, Ski Egypt, Dreamscape, Magic Planet, Little Explorers and iFLY Dubai. The Company is parent to a Fashion, Home and Specialty retail business representing international brands such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister, AllSaints, lululemon athletica, Crate & Barrel, LEGO and THAT, a Majid Al Futtaim fashion concept store and app. In addition, Majid Al Futtaim operates Enova, a facility and energy management company, through a joint venture operation with Veolia, a global leader in optimised environment resource management.

Media Contact: media@wellcertified.com

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