Dubai: Environmentally sustainable construction is the key to Dubai's long-term maritime success according to Dubai Maritime City, the world's first purpose-built maritime centre and part of the Dubai World Group of companies.

As part of its effort to support sustainable development in the UAE and the region Dubai Maritime Centre offering its full support as a sponsor of the seventh international summit on Coastal and Port Engineering in Developing Countries (Copedec 2008), which opened on Sunday.

"Dubai is leading the world in coastal developments, which is why regional developers must set an example by leveraging the most cutting-edge research and technologies to engineer developments that protect our coastlines," said Amer Ali, CEO of Dubai Maritime City.

"Environmentally sustainable construction, in terms of land and infrastructure development, is the key element of Dubai's long-term maritime success as it will distinguish the city as a sophisticated maritime location that addresses pertinent global issues."