The recently concluded Future Sustainability Forum organized by DIFC, held at the Ritz Carlton DIFC on October 4th-5th, 2023, highlighted Dubai’s pivotal role in shaping global sustainability efforts.
The evolving climate conditions pose a significant global economic challenge and Dubai being a leader in the global sustainability drive, seized this remarkable opportunity.
The Future Sustainability Forum boasted over 1,500 industry leaders, including more than 70 speakers representing over 30 countries.
This two-day event underscored Dubai’s commitment to mobilizing the regional innovation and financial sector toward a just transition and a sustainable future.
The forum featured a series of engaging panel discussions, keynote addresses, fireside chats, and engaging discussions that are shaping the sustainable financing landscape in the region.
Topics of deliberations ranged from navigating the landscape of sustainable and Islamic finance to integrating ESG into decision-making empowering sustainability through digital transformation and more.
Unlocking Dubai’s Sustainable Financing Potential: Perspectives from Global Leaders
During the event, H.E Mariam Bin Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, spoke at length about UAE’s efforts to cover 25 per cent of its electricity demands through solar energy by 2030.
She emphasised the importance of finance being accessible and affordable to the vulnerable community.
During her fireside chat, moderated by Dan Murphy, Anchor and Correspondent, CNBC International, she also mentioned that political will is necessary to bring about change while discussing the UAE’s commitment to sustainability.
Amal Larhlid, Partner Sustainability at PwC, moderated a fireside chat titled “The Path to Transforming Dubai into a Global Sustainable Finance Hub.” The discussion discussed sustainable finance’s role in propelling Dubai as a major player in the global sustainable financing sector.
The panellists, Satya Tripathi, Secretary-General, of Global Alliance For A Sustainable Planet, and Dr Bernd Van Linder, CEO, of Commercial Bank of Dubai, presented interesting insights and highlighted the initiatives taken by Dubai to unlock its sustainable financing capabilities.
Setting Credible Net-Zero Targets: Challenges and Strategies
Another area of discussion was on understanding Environmental, Social and Corporate governance (ESG) regulations and avoiding greenwashing. The panel discussion moderated by Nameer Khan, Founder of FILS and Chairman, of the MENA FinTech Association, examined the latest trends in ESG regulations and the tips and tricks to avoid greenwashing.
The panellists, Dr Ashraf Gamal El Din, CEO, Hawkamah, Peter Smith, Managing Director, Head of Strategy, Policy, and Risk, DFSA, Ghiwa Nakat, Executive Director, Greenpeace MENA, Faisal Al Shimmari, Head of ESG and Corporate Strategy, Mashreq, provided interesting insights and deliberated on how enterprises can avoid greenwashing and foster greater transparency.
A key discussion topic at the conference was the panel on ‘Setting Credible Net-Zero Targets.’ The discussion was moderated by Steve Lutes, Vice President, the US Chamber of Commerce who spoke at length about the present challenges while enterprises set up their net-zero targets.
The panellists, Matt Brown, Chief-Sustainability, Expo City Dubai, Gordon Gill, Partner Adrian Smith and Gordon Gill Architecture, Nicolas Soucaille, General Manager, Blacklane ME, and Florence Bulte, Chief Sustainability Officer, Chalhoub Group, discussed in detail presented interesting views and tricks to how enterprises can bridge the existing gaps and create plans based on action to help them achieve their net-zero aspirations.
Pioneering Global Sustainability at the Future Sustainability Summit
The event further showcased the unwavering commitment towards global sustainability efforts by driving collaboration and innovations towards shaping a sustainable future.
With the curtains falling over the inaugural edition of the Future Sustainability Summit, the event is setting the stage for a global paradigm shift driving the capital flow from the global north to the global south and further building a greener and responsible future for our future generations.
