The Pearl Initiative, a leading independent private sector-led not-for-profit organisation that encourages better business practices in the GCC, the United Nations Global Compact, UNGC, the world's largest voluntary corporate sustainability initiative, along with 8,000 corporate signatories and 4,000 other stakeholders from over 160 countries, are to hold their inaugural forum in the Gulf Region under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.
Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State and Board Representative of the Higher Committee and Managing Director of the Expo 2020 Executive Body, will deliver the keynote address during the event, which is expected to draw over 500 regional and international business leaders, representatives from UN organisations, government and civil society around the theme, 'Corporate Accountability Matters: Business Integrity and Value Creation Beyond 2015'.
"Improving corporate accountability, transparency and governance is fundamental to fostering future competitive economic growth, spurring job creation and enhancing sustainable social development in the Gulf Region," said Badr Jafar, Founder of the Pearl Initiative. "Through our partnership with the UN Global Compact, and events such as this forum, we aim to raise this awareness amongst regional business leaders, and encourage more measures that will lead to greater levels of corporate accountability and transparency," Jafar added.
Designed to advance corporate sustainability and responsible business practices, this one-day event aims to enhance the role of the private sector in making progress towards regional competitiveness and the advancement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, SDG's.
Georg Kell, Executive Director, United Nations Global Compact, said, "There have been significant steps taken in the region to usher in an era in which businesses are far more aware of their potential to impact their communities, and we are pleased to play a role in fostering greater understanding through our partnership with Pearl Initiative. As a regional business hub, Dubai and the UAE as a country is the ideal location to host the first Pearl Initiative and United Nations Global Compact Forum in the Gulf Region."
The inaugural forum will begin with a video address from the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, and include keynote speeches and panel discussions from international and regional business leaders including Sir Mark Moody Stewart, President and Chairperson, Foundation for the UN Global Compact, Sheikha Hanadi Al Thani, Vice Chairman of Nasser bin Khaled Al Thani and Sons Group, Mahmoud Al Kooheji, CEO, Mumtalakat and Nasser Al Nowais, Chairman, Rotana Hotel Management Corporation.
Source: WAM