The UAE private sector: an ‘engine of change’ key to the Sustainable Development Goals

Dubai (UAE), June 30 (ANI/WAM): The private sector “is an engine of change and sustainability” and has a key role to play in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), according to business leaders speaking at a workshop organized by the General Secretariat of the National Committee for the Sustainable Development Goals and the UN Global Compact in the United Arab Emirates. The workshop was held recently, ahead of the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, which will be held in New York from July 8 to 17, under the theme “Strengthening the 2030 Agenda and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises: effectively delivering sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions.”

There, business leaders will showcase ideas discussed at a workshop in Dubai that highlighted the role of the private sector in achieving SDGs 1 (Eradication of Poverty), 2 (Zero Hunger), 13 (Climate Action), 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Executives from over 80 companies attended the workshop to share best practices, exchange knowledge, and provide solutions and recommendations in support of the SDGs. Abdullah Nasser Lootah, Chairman of the National Committee for the Sustainable Development Goals, said: “The decision by the UAE to extend the Year of Sustainable Development to 2024 reflects the commitment of its leaders to promote sustainable practices in society, which directly supports national efforts to achieve the SDGs. The SDGs can only come from a collective effort, which is why strengthening partnerships between the public and private sectors is crucial for a more sustainable and prosperous future.

Eng Waleed Salman, Chairman of the Board of the UN Global Compact Network in the United Arab Emirates, commented: “Our shared commitment to the SDGs underscores the importance of engaging and consulting with 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 by showing how sustainable business practices can drive global progress and contribute to a brighter future for all.” Other workshop participants included Anita Lebiar, head of the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Central Asia at the United Nations Global Compact. Berangere Boell, UN Resident in the United Arab Emirates, Omar Khan, Head of the Center for Business Studies and Research at the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, and Mark Esposito, Professor of Public Policy at the Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government and Fellow at the Harvard Center for International Development at the Harvard Kennedy School .

Participants took part in a roundtable to discuss the results of a survey in which local businesses were asked about their experiences in implementing the SDGs, including challenges, successful initiatives and best practices. (ANI/WAM)

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