DUBAI, Oct 25, 2023 - (ACN Newswire) - The recently concluded Future Sustainability Forum organized by DIFC, held at the Ritz Carlton DIFC on October 4-5, 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 1500 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.
During the course of 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 emphasized 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.
The fireside chat on ‘The Path to Making Dubai a Global Sustainable Finance Hub." Moderated by Amal Larhlid, Partner Sustainability, PwC focused on the scope of sustainable finance driving Dubai as a global player in the sustainable financing sector. The panellists, Satya Tripathi, Secretary-General, Global Alliance For A Sustainable Planet, and Dr. Bernd Van Linder, CEO, Commercial Bank of Dubai, presented interesting insights and highlighted the initiatives taken by Dubai in unlocking its sustainable financing capabilities.
Another significant debate 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, 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.
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