The 12th Arabia CSR & Sustainability Forum has wrapped up after two days of intense dialogue, setting a powerful agenda for climate resilience, sustainable investments, and circular economy innovations across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
Under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Economy and organised by the Arabia CSR Network, the forum brought together thought leaders, policymakers, and industry experts to inspire action on sustainability in one of the world’s most vulnerable regions to climate change.
Held under the theme “Sustainable Prosperity: Reorienting for a Balanced Future,” the forum pushed for bold strategies to address the growing climate risks and the need for economic and environmental equilibrium.
As climate-related disasters increase, along with the urgency to decarbonise, the forum’s focus on collective action struck a chord, reinforcing the region’s pivotal role in global sustainability efforts.
The forum opened with high-level keynotes, with H.E. Abdulla Ahmed Al Saleh, UAE’s Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy, emphasizing the need for regional cooperation and sustainable investment to accelerate climate adaptation efforts. Zimbabwe’s Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Dr. Sithembiso Gile Gladys Nyoni, underscored the importance of nature-based solutions in combating climate impacts. Meanwhile, H.E. Dr. Abdulaziz O. Sager, Chairman of the Gulf Research Center, and H.E. Dr. Nawal Al Hosani, UAE’s Permanent Representative to IRENA, highlighted the urgency of innovative climate adaptation measures, setting the tone for dynamic discussions.
The forum’s first plenary session, titled “Empowering Change: Promoting Water & Energy Transitions in the Arab World,” delved into the crucial role of public-private partnerships in driving the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy. The session highlighted the MENA region’s pressing need for sustainable water management and clean energy transitions.
The second session, “Future-Proofing Our Cities: Sustainable Disaster Readiness,” explored urban resilience in the face of growing climate risks. Panelists stressed the need for embedding disaster preparedness into urban planning, particularly as cities across the region face increasing threats from rising temperatures, droughts, and floods.
A session on “Smart Sustainability – Best Practices from the Global South” concluded the first day, showcasing AI-driven energy systems and IoT-enabled waste management solutions. These technologies are already transforming sustainability efforts across developing regions, offering innovative models for other nations to adopt.
On the second day, corporate governance and sustainability took center stage. Cristina Gamboa, CEO of the World Green Building Council (WGBC), and Dr. Yousef Al Assaf, President of the Rochester Institute of Technology, Dubai, emphasized the need for businesses to embed sustainability into their core strategies to achieve long-term value.
Their keynotes showcased how corporations must shift their governance frameworks to meet evolving environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards.
One of the forum’s highlights was a fireside chat with HH Engineer Sheikh Salem bin Sultan bin Saqr Al-Qasimi, Chairman of Ras Al Khaimah Civil Aviation Department. Sheikh Salem stressed the role of leadership in fostering sustainability, remarking, “Sustainability is not just a goal; it is a way of life that must be embedded into every facet of our governance and corporate structures.”
The fourth plenary session, “Creating Value with Sustainable Investments,” was a key attraction, exploring how companies can draw responsible investors by embracing ESG criteria. Participants discussed sustainable investments, such as green bonds and impact investing, which are driving capital towards renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure projects in the region.
The final session, “Building Value through the Circular Economy,” focused on how businesses can transition from linear models to circular systems, maximizing resource efficiency and minimizing waste. Panelists highlighted the transformative potential of blockchain and AI technologies in enhancing transparency and sustainability across global supply chains.
As the forum concluded, Ms. Habiba Al Mar’ashi, Founder and CEO of the Arabia CSR Network, called on all stakeholders to transform the insights gained into concrete actions. “The strategies shared during this forum have the power to shape a more resilient and sustainable future for our region. It’s time to turn these discussions into actionable solutions that will drive real change,” she urged.
Supported by strategic partners like Tristar Group, McDonald’s UAE, Al Sayer Group, and Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company, the forum proved once again that the Arabia CSR & Sustainability Forum is a leading platform for sustainability discourse in the region.
Dubai Chambers, the event host, along with the Emirates Environmental Group and Farnek’s carbon-neutral initiatives, ensured the event lived up to its sustainability ethos.
