News DeskDubai: The 12th Cycle of the Arabia CSR & Sustainability Forum, organized by the Arabia CSR Network and held under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Economy, concluded on October 10, 2024. Themed “Sustainable Prosperity: Reorienting for a Balanced Future,” the two-day forum brought together global and regional leaders, sustainability experts, and industry practitioners to discuss strategies for a more sustainable and resilient Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
The event opened with insightful keynote speeches focused on the theme “Regenerating Our Planet: Innovative Solutions for Climate Adaptation and Change.” Prominent speakers included H.E. Abdulla Ahmed Al Saleh, UAE’s Undersecretary of the 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. These talks highlighted the urgency of climate adaptation and emphasized nature-based solutions for environmental challenges.
Day 1 Highlights
The forum’s first plenary session, “Empowering Change: Promoting Water & Energy Transitions in the Arab World,” addressed the importance of public-private sector partnerships in transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Discussions centered around water management and sustainable energy strategies for the region.
The second session, “Future-Proofing Our Cities: Sustainable Disaster Readiness,” tackled the growing need for urban resilience in light of climate-related disasters, emphasizing the role of disaster preparedness in urban planning.
The day concluded with the session “Smart Sustainability – Best Practices from the Global South,” which showcased AI-driven energy systems and IoT-enabled waste management solutions. Experts presented examples of how intelligent technologies are transforming sustainability in developing regions.
Day 2 Highlights
Day two opened with keynotes 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 speakers underscored the importance of integrating sustainability into corporate governance for long-term success.
A special fireside chat featured HH Engineer Sheikh Salem bin Sultan bin Saqr Al-Qasimi, Chairman of the Ras Al Khaimah Civil Aviation Department, who spoke about integrating sustainability into leadership and innovation.
Later sessions explored sustainable investment strategies, focusing on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria and the role of circular economy practices in minimizing waste and maximizing resource efficiency. The event highlighted blockchain and AI as key technologies for driving transparency in supply chains.
A Call for Action
As the forum concluded, Ms. Habiba Al Mar’ashi, Founder and CEO of Arabia CSR Network, emphasized the urgency of turning insights into action, stating, “The discussions and strategies shared over these two days have the power to shape a more resilient and sustainable future for our region.”
The forum was supported by Tristar Group, McDonald’s UAE, Al Sayer Group, and Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company, with Dubai Chambers serving as the host. The event was also carbon neutral, thanks to Farnek’s efforts.
The 2024 Arabia CSR & Sustainability Forum once again reaffirmed its role as a leading platform for fostering dialogue and collaboration in pursuit of a sustainable and prosperous future for the MENA region.
