New Murabba, the massive urban redevelopment project in Riyadh, has formalised a partnership with the US Green Building Council to embed global sustainability standards into its design, construction and operations. The memorandum of understanding signed between the two organisations establishes a framework to explore how international systems such as LEED — including its latest LEED v5 as well as LEED for Communities — can be applied across the entire New Murabba development.

The agreement anticipates shared work on knowledge-exchange programmes, training and adoption of international best practices in sustainable community development, environmental performance and smart urban infrastructure. As part of the deal New Murabba has become a Platinum member of USGBC, signalling a strong commitment to leadership in sustainability and green building principles.

Leaders on both sides expressed optimism. Eissa Almunif, Chief Business Excellence Officer at New Murabba, described the MoU as a milestone in the project’s sustainability journey, emphasising a vision that places people, environment and long-term prosperity at its core. USGBC’s President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Templeton welcomed the partnership as an opportunity to support New Murabba’s ambition to achieve LEED certification and to apply its sustainability lessons, globally.

New Murabba, launched in 2023 under the aegis of the Public Investment Fund, is being built as Riyadh’s new downtown across 19 square kilometres, combining residential, commercial, cultural, leisure and mobility infrastructure under a 15-minute city model. The development features a landmark cuboid skyscraper, the Mukaab, along with 104,000 residential units, thousands of hotel rooms, expansive retail and office space, cultural venues and community facilities. Its sustainability goals include solar-based power, electric public transport, extensive green spaces and a circular water and waste management system.

This new MoU follows earlier agreements signed by New Murabba with entities such as the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification and the King Khalid Foundation, reflecting a pattern of strategic partnerships designed to integrate environmental stewardship, green infrastructure and sustainable practices. Those prior collaborations aimed at afforestation, biodiversity enhancement and promotion of green building technologies, aligned with broader long-term climate and ecological objectives.

By aligning with USGBC’s globally recognised certification frameworks, New Murabba aims to strengthen its design and operational standards. The collaboration is expected to influence not only building-level criteria but also broader urban planning decisions, mobility systems, energy use, water management and waste recycling — effectively setting benchmarks for future developments across the region.