UAE Business Leaders Discuss How Companies Can Help Achieve Global Goals
Business leaders in the UAE emphasized the private sector’s crucial role in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) during a workshop organized by the General Secretariat of the National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals and the UN Global Compact. The event was held ahead of the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, which will take place in New York from July 8-17 under the theme ‘Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises: the effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions.’
At the workshop, executives from over 80 companies shared best practices, exchanged knowledge, and provided solutions to support SDGs 1 (No Poverty), 2 (Zero Hunger), 13 (Climate Action), 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and 17 (Partnerships for Goals). Abdullah Nasser Lootah, Chairman of the National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals, stated, ‘The UAE’s decision to extend the Year of Sustainability to include 2024 reflects the leadership’s commitment to promoting sustainable practices within society, which directly supports national efforts in achieving SDGs. Achieving SDGs can only come from collective effort, so strengthening partnerships between the public and private sectors is vital to a more sustainable and prosperous future.’
Eng. Waleed Salman, Chairman of the Board of the UN Global Compact Network in the UAE, commented, ‘Our shared commitment to SDGs underscores how important it is to engage and consult the private sector, which is a key driver of transformative change, especially through innovation. In this sense, companies in the UAE are uniquely positioned to lead the way, demonstrating how sustainable business practices can drive global progress and contribute to a brighter future for all.’
Other notable attendees included Anita Lebiar, Head of the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia at the United Nations Global Compact, Berangere Boell, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in the United Arab Emirates, Omar Khan, Head of the Centre for Business Studies and Research at the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, and Mark Esposito, Professor of Public Policy at Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government and faculty affiliate at Harvard Center for International Development at Harvard Kennedy School. Participants also attended a roundtable discussing the results of a survey in which local businesses were asked about their experiences in adopting SDGs, including their challenges, successful initiatives, and best practices.
