Urban.MASS founder joins COP28 panel discussion on sustainable infrastructure hosted by Ukraine Business Compact in Dubai

2023/12/03

On 03/12/2023, Ricky Sandhu, Founder and Executive Director, Urban-Air Port and Urban.MASS took part in a panel discussion on “Securing Critical Infrastructure for a Sustainable Society” at COP28, Dubai Expo City. The event, hosted by the Ukraine Business Compact (UBC), took place in the Ukraine Pavilion within the Blue Zone, and brought together a distinguished panel of experts in infrastructure strategy.

The leaders in infrastructure, consulting, technology and finance explored solutions for adapting critical systems and innovative approaches to upgrading key infrastructure – the focus being on ensuring reliability and sustainability amid the global transition to a low-carbon future. The insights shared by UBC, including the challenges and opportunities related to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the rebuilding of Ukraine, are expected to serve as models for driving future recovery.

The speakers included:

• Moderator: Tatiana Sakharuk, Executive Director, UN Global Compact Ukraine, Ukraine Business Compact
• Richard Threlfall, Global Head of Infrastructure, Government and Healthcare, KPMG International
• Robert Ivanschitz, Associate General Counsel, Microsoft Central and Southeast Europe, Middle East, and Africa
• Ricky Sandhu, Founder & Executive Director, Urban-Air Port & Urban.MASS
• Jon Erik Høgberg, CEO at Itera Offshoring Services, Group COO at Itera ASA, CEO at Itera Norge AS

Each panellist presented their institution's vision on infrastructure protection. Ricky Sandhu discussed the Urban.MASS solution and, in a wider context, the expertise in the private sector for driving innovation and implementing new approaches to infrastructure development. The discussion emphasised lessons learned and challenges faced, with a focus on multi-stakeholder collaboration. The aim was to understand and surface some of the potential synergies between infrastructure and other sustainability-related development issues.

“I’m delighted to be here and able to contribute to this important discussion. Ukraine’s presence at COP28 opens up an interesting focus on infrastructure security, some of the future challenges and how both the private and public sector can support sustainable and resilient societies. I hope that Urban.MASS can play a part in this, and contribute to lasting development and recovery efforts in Ukraine.”

- Ricky Sandhu, Founder and Executive Director, Urban-Air Port and Urban.MASS

Notes to editors:

• About Ukraine Business Compact: Ukraine Business Compact (UBC) is a collaborative initiative dedicated to promoting sustainable business practices and contributing to the social and economic development of Ukraine.
• About COP28: The 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is a pivotal global event addressing climate change and sustainability.
• About Urban.MASS: A UK-based mobility business focused on the design and delivery of innovative, zero-emission mass transit solutions. Urban.MASS was founded to create affordable, accessible and connected mass transit for all, and to reduce congestion and pollution from passenger and cargo transport. Products include the Floc® Duo Rail® system, a flexible transit system that can match capacity with demand via high frequency ‘platoons’ of passenger and/or cargo logistics pods. Its narrow and flexible footprint minimises the need for earthworks, costly tunnels and large stations. https://urbanmass.co.uk/about-us.php