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Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has received the Business Continuity Management System (BCMS) ISO 22301 certification from the British Standards Institution (BSI). DEWA has become the first utility in the Middle East and North Africa to receive this certificate for its integrated operations, which adds to DEWA’s roster of achievements that underline its pioneering position in providing world-class services.
HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, received the certificate from BSI in a ceremony at Armani hotel in Dubai. The ceremony was attended by HE Abdulla Al Shaibani, Secretary General of the Executive Council of Dubai, HE Lieutenant General Khamis Mattar Al Mazeina, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, and Chairman of the Crisis and Disasters Team in Dubai, HE Dr. Jamal Mohammed Al Hosani, Director General of the National Crisis and Emergency Management Authority, HE Paul Fox, British Consul General in Dubai, and other officials.
In his speech, Al Tayer thanked the General Secretariat of the Executive Council of Dubai, the National Crisis and Emergency Management Authority, and the Crisis and Disasters Team in Dubai for their continuous cooperation and unlimited support. He also commended BSI for its efforts and close cooperation with DEWA that enabled DEWA to achieve the certification.
“This certification is a valuable addition to DEWA’s roster of international achievements and another proof of its excellence and efforts to achieve the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to upgrade government work to new and advanced levels, and achieve excellence in government service provision to achieve the UAE Vision 2021 and the Dubai Plan 2021 for the Government of Dubai to be proactive, and creative in meeting the needs of individuals and society as a whole. DEWA effectively contributes to the social, economic, and environmental development of Dubai by providing continuous and stable electricity and water supplies according to the highest standards of availability, safety, efficiency, and reliability. We work closely with local and national government organisations to streamline and coordinate efforts and ensure readiness for all kinds of emergencies, taking into account the strategic importance of electricity and water services. Our strategy is to avoid crises before they happen, and to be prepared to deal with them according to the highest levels of readiness and professionalism if they occur, and ensure business continuity to achieve the happiness of our customers,” said Al Tayer.
“DEWA has formed a high-level crisis management and planning committee since 2008. It has also developed a clear strategy to deal with crises and emergencies and updates it continuously, according to the highest international standards. DEWA is the first government organisation to launch a Cyber Defence Centre. We launched the first specialist cyber-security centre in Dubai Government. DEWA is the first organisation in the Middle East to apply SAP risk management. We adopt the best international practices that comply with ISO 31000 and the finest cutting-edge integrated system for enterprise risk management, as they are closely related to DEWA’s strategic planning and drive. Achieving ISO 22301 in Business Continuity Management is a result of DEWA’s adopting the best international standards in governance and management, while remaining committed to providing the best services, in adherence with its vision to become a sustainable innovative world-class utility,” noted Al Tayer.
“As a result of implementing excellence systems and envisioning the future, DEWA has achieved international competitive results. DEWA’s customer minutes lost per year is 3.87 minutes, compared to 15 minutes recorded by leading utilities in the European Union and the US. Losses in power transmission and distribution networks is just 3.3%, compared to 6-7% in Europe and the USA. Water network losses are only 8.2%, compared to 15% in North America and Europe. The UAE, represented by DEWA, has been ranked 1st in the Middle East and North Africa and 4th globally for getting electricity, according to the World Bank’s Doing Business 2017 report, for the 4th consecutive year,” said Al Tayer.
“At DEWA, we do not rest on our laurels. Instead, we constantly work, led by the vision of our wise leadership, to achieve the welfare, and happiness of citizens, residents, and visitors. I conclude with the words of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum who once observed that, ‘Success is not a destination, but a journey. Each time that you reach a summit on this journey, you must look ahead to the next one,’” concluded Al Tayer.
At the end of the ceremony, Al Tayer handed trophies to HE Lieutenant General Khamis Mattar Al Mazeina, HE Abdulla Al Shaibani, HE Dr. Jamal Mohammed Al Hosani, and HE Paul Fox, and BSI officials for their efforts and close cooperation with DEWA in crisis and emergency management, and business continuity.
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