United Development Company (UDC), the master developer of The Pearl and Gewan Islands, will participate in the 11th edition of Qatar Sustainability Week (QSW) 2026, bringing together six environmental, educational and community-focused initiatives across its destinations from 31 October to 7 November 2026.
Organized in support of Qatar Sustainability Week, led by Earthna Center for a Sustainable Future, the programme reflects UDC’s continued commitment to making sustainability part of everyday community life. Across The Pearl and Gewan Islands, the activities will bring residents, employees, families and partners together through practical initiatives that promote environmental awareness, community participation and social responsibility, in line with the objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Commenting on UDC’s participation, Mr. Abdullatif Ali Al-Yafei, Executive Director of Public Services at UDC, said:
“Qatar Sustainability Week gives us an opportunity to turn sustainability from an idea into something people can experience and take part in. This year, our programme brings together environmental action, learning and community participation across The Pearl and Gewan Islands, because lasting impact is created when people feel part of it. From mangrove restoration and environmental awareness to community activities and initiatives that engage younger generations, we want to make sustainability practical, accessible and meaningful for the communities we serve.”
Mr. Abdullatif Ali Al-Yafei, Executive Director of Public Services at UDC
The programme will begin with the SDG Ambassadors – Sustainable Race on 31 October at Beach Centrale around Duck Lake, bringing together community participants for a sustainability-focused run. The same day will also mark the opening of the SDG Ambassadors Art Exhibition at Qanat Quartier, featuring 50 paintings, recycled artworks and environmental sculptures. The exhibition will showcase children’s perspectives on a more sustainable future, while exploring the relationship between people, the environment and Qatar’s maritime heritage. It will remain open throughout Qatar Sustainability Week.
Environmental awareness will remain a central theme throughout the week. At Gewan Island, Plot 5, visitors will be able to engage with Mangrove Restoration Project information sessions, supported by educational content, videos and interactive resources focused on Qatar’s mangrove ecosystems. The programme will include “Qatar’s Mangroves – A Journey Through Nature’s Coastal Guardians”, alongside bilingual educational material and games developed in collaboration with Earthna.
UDC will also bring the mangrove restoration message into its workplace through a dedicated activation at its offices on 5 November. Employees will have the opportunity to participate in a temporary mangrove nursery featuring 100 plants, including seedling adoption and tagging ahead of their eventual planting at the Al Ruwais receiving site.
The programme will also extend sustainability into community giving and family engagement. A “Feed a Friend” charity book drive will run throughout the week at Gewan Island, Plot 4, encouraging the community to donate pre-loved books in support of children’s education; while a Community Garden Activation at Duck Lake on 7 November will bring families together for planting activities, alongside face painting and children’s art activities, creating an interactive setting for younger members of the community to connect with nature.
Throughout the week, UDC will also continue its community engagement programme across its social media platforms, extending the reach of the initiative and encouraging wider participation in the activities taking place across The Pearl and Gewan Islands.
Through this year’s programme, UDC aims to build on its ongoing sustainability efforts by creating opportunities for people to learn, participate and take action in ways that are relevant to everyday life. From protecting mangrove ecosystems and encouraging responsible consumption to connecting families and young people with nature and community initiatives, the programme reflects UDC’s belief in the importance of creating sustainable ecosystems where communities actively engage with and care for their surroundings.
The plastic recycling initiative currently taking place on The Pearl Island, which aims to collect plastic from the residents of both islands, has achieved advanced results by collecting 200 kilograms of recyclable plastic materials so far. This step reinforces the concept of a circular economy within the communities of both islands and supports national efforts aimed at reducing plastic pollution.
In line with our firm commitment to environmental sustainability and the Qatar National Vision 2030, United Development Company (UDC), the master developer of The Pearl and Gewan Islands, has announced the integration of a breakthrough new initiative into the Qatar Sustainability Week 2026 activities. This initiative features the adoption of an innovative Smart Biodigester system on The Pearl Island. The project aims to process and manage food waste using advanced scientific methods, converting it entirely into high-quality organic fertilizer that will subsequently be utilized for landscaping, afforestation, and green space projects across the island.
This year’s Qatar Sustainability Week activities will bring that approach to life across The Pearl and Gewan Islands, reinforcing UDC’s commitment to building communities where environmental responsibility, social engagement and quality of life continue to grow together.
