12th Arabia CSR & Sustainability Forum Concludes with Focus on a Balanced, Sustainable Future
Dubai, UAE – The 12th Cycle of the Arabia CSR & Sustainability Forum, organized by Arabia CSR Network under the patronage of the UAE’s Ministry of Economy, successfully concluded its two-day event on October 10, 2024. Under the theme “Sustainable Prosperity: Reorienting for a Balanced Future,” the forum brought together global and regional leaders, sustainability experts, and industry practitioners to explore innovative strategies for building a sustainable and resilient future for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
The forum opened with keynote addresses from prominent figures, including H.E. Abdulla Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary at the UAE Ministry of Economy, Hon. Dr. Sithembiso Gile Gladys Nyoni, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Environment, and H.E. Dr. Abdulaziz O. Sager, Chairman of the Gulf Research Center. Their talks underscored the urgency of addressing climate change and promoting nature-based solutions to drive collective action in the region.
Day 1 Highlights
The forum’s first plenary session, “Empowering Change: Promoting Water & Energy Transitions in the Arab World,” emphasized the importance of transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy, highlighting the role of public-private partnerships. Discussions focused on sustainable water management and energy solutions for the Arab region.
In the second plenary session, “Future-Proofing Our Cities: Sustainable Disaster Readiness,” experts addressed the increasing need for urban resilience in the face of climate-related disasters. The session highlighted the necessity of integrating disaster preparedness into urban planning.
The day closed with the third plenary session, “Smart Sustainability – Best Practices from the Global South,” where speakers discussed the role of AI-driven energy systems and IoT-enabled waste management in driving sustainable practices. Innovative solutions from developing regions were presented, showcasing how intelligent technologies are transforming sustainability initiatives globally.
Day 2 Highlights
Day two opened with keynote addresses under the theme “Redesigning the Core: Driving Sustainable Transformation from Within,” delivered by Ms. Cristina Gamboa, CEO of the World Green Building Council, and Dr. Yousef Al Assaf, President of Rochester Institute of Technology, Dubai. Both emphasized the importance of embedding sustainability into corporate governance to drive long-term value and transformation from within organizations.
A special fireside chat featured HH Engineer Sheikh Salem bin Sultan bin Saqr Al-Qasimi, Chairman of Ras Al Khaimah Civil Aviation Department, who stressed the importance of integrating sustainability into leadership and corporate structures.
The fourth plenary session, “Creating Value with Sustainable Investments: Strategies, Practices, and Examples,” explored how sustainable investments, including green bonds and ESG criteria, are reshaping industries. Speakers highlighted the role of responsible investing in fostering sustainable infrastructure development.
The concluding session, “Building Value through the Circular Economy: Strategies and Innovations,” showcased the shift from linear to circular business models. Discussions highlighted the potential of technologies like blockchain and AI in enhancing supply chain transparency and sustainability.
As the forum drew to a close, Ms. Habiba Al Mar’ashi, Founder and CEO of Arabia CSR Network, emphasized the power of the forum’s discussions to shape a resilient future for the region, calling for urgent action to implement the insights gained.
The 2024 Arabia CSR & Sustainability Forum, supported by Exclusive Sponsor Tristar Group and Strategic Sponsor McDonald’s UAE, was recognized as a Carbon Neutral event, thanks to Farnek’s contributions. Other key sponsors included Al Sayer Group, Gulf Petrochemical Industries, and Dubai Chambers, which hosted the event.
The forum reaffirmed its position as a leading platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, uniting industry leaders in the pursuit of a sustainable and prosperous future for the MENA region.