The Pearl Initiative, a leading business-led non-profit organization in the Gulf, will host their second annual regional forum on the theme ‘Sustainability in Action: Business and the United Nations Global Goals’ on Thursday, Oct. 27 in Dubai. The goal of the initiative is to promote a corporate culture of accountability and transparency as a key driver of competitiveness across the region, in partnership with the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC).
The forum will convene under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, UAE Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, and Honorary Chairman of the Pearl Initiative. He will also present the opening keynote address. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of the UN, is also expected to deliver a special video address to open the session.
Set to take place at the Conrad Hotel, more than 700 regional and international business leaders are expected to gather at the forum, as well as representatives from the United Nations, the public sector, and members of civil society to discuss the region’s business approach and capabilities in advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Some of the distinguished speakers who will share key insights at the forum include Khalid Al Hussan, CEO, Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul), Sheikha Hanadi Bint Nasser Al-Thani, founder and chairperson of Amwal, His Excellency Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, Chairman of Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah International Foundation for Energy and Sustainable Development, Former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy and Industry, Qatar, Her Excellency Razan Al Mubarak, Secretary-General of Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Al Zuhair, Chairman, Kuwait National Fund for SME Development, Arif Naqvi, Founder & CEO, The Abraaj Group, Lise Kingo, Executive Director, United Nations Global Compact, Badr Jafar, CEO, Crescent Enterprises and Founder, Pearl Initiative, Dr. Faysal Alaquil, Director of Business Development, Constructions Products Holding Company, Sanjeev Chadha, CEO, Pepsico Asia and Middle East, Patrick Chalhoub, CEO, Chalhoub Group, Khaled Al Huraimel, Group CEO of Bee’ah, Fahd Al Rasheed, Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Emaar the Economic City (EEC) and Dr. Dalya Al Muthanna, President and CEO of General Electric Gulf.
This year’s theme follows the January 2016 launch of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. The 17 goals cover a broad spectrum of global sustainable development challenges and opportunities. The forum seeks to convene business and government sector leaders to understand how they can foster healthy economic growth, job creation and a low-carbon future for the benefit of succeeding generations. 
The forum’s partners are The Abraaj Group, Al Jomaih Group, Chalhoub Group, Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC), Crescent Petroleum and RWE.
Sheikh Abdulaziz Hamad Aljomaih, Al Jomaih Group representative and Board member of the Pearl Initiative, said: “The Gulf countries need to adopt business strategies which can effectively contribute to diversification. With diversification emerging as a priority, we must adapt our business approach to address any and all long-term economic and social impacts. It is with this goal that we will convene at the upcoming regional forum hosted by Pearl Initiative and the United Nations Global Compact. Our region has the talent, capabilities, motivation as well resources to affect change at a much larger stage – and this should begin with change closer to home. We are proud to support this event and look forward to discussing ways in which we can contribute to the UN Global Goals.”

Source: Arab News