Under the patronage of H.E. Engr. Sheikh Salim bin Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi and in the presence of H.E. Sheikh Majid bin Sultan bin Saqr Al-Qasimi, Vice Chairman of ST Group LLC and Vice Chairman of CADD Emirates, the winners of the 14^th prestigious cycle of the Arabia CSR Awards were honoured by the Arabia CSR Network (ACSRN) in the UAE yesterday.

Regarded as the ‘Green Oscars of the Middle East,’ the awards recognised the corporate social responsibility (CSR) principles and implementation strategies of 40 green champions from across the region. The winners were representing both the public and private sectors from 9 Arab countries and under 13 diverse categories. They were adjudged on the basis of international benchmarks such as the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) Principles, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards and the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) model and the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Mrs. Habiba Al Mar’ashi, President & CEO of ACSRN in her opening speech said, “We are at a point in time when we truly have the most important choice to make – to continue living and operating our businesses in an unsustainable way – or to embrace the sustainable development goals and create a better and more resilient world for ourselves and our children and their children. There is a real risk today that because of COVID-19, the existing inequalities in our societies will be further exposed and will increase significantly. We cannot and should not let this happen.  Long-term and sustainable recovery requires concerted efforts, comprehensive strategies and both public and private investment”.

She further added that “Young people need to become the driving force for change after COVID-19. They are the leaders of tomorrow that can help build a more equitable and resilient world. Yet, today, our policies make them a vulnerable group. We have to target the young, the low-skilled and other vulnerable groups with support, education and training to address the challenges of tomorrow.”

The winners in the various categories are:

• Small Business:

Winner – Sanabel Landscape Architecture | Urban Design & Planning

1st Runner Up – Al Dhafra Recycling Industries LLC

2nd Runner Up – Acer

• Medium Business:

Winner – Emirates Taste Catering Services LLC

1st Runner Up (TIE) – 1) Farabi Petrochemicals Company and

2) CANPACK Middle East One Person Company LLC (FDI)

2nd Runner Up – SEDCO Holding

• Large Business:

Winner – Gulf Petrochemicals Industries Company (GPIC);

1^st Runner up – Tristar Group

2^nd Runner up – Accenture Middle East

Special Recognition (TIE) – 1) Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco)

2) Saudi Telecom Company (STC)

• Public Sector: – Large Size Organisations

Winner – Dubai Police

1st Runner Up (TIE) – 1) Sharjah Electricity Water and Gas Authority

2) Dubai Electricity and Water Authority

2^nd Runner up (TIE) – 1) Dubai Health Authority

2) Dubai Municipality

• Public Sector: – Medium Size Organisation

Winner – Community Development Authority

1st Runner – Ministry of Economy

• Partnerships & Collaborations:

Winner – Gulf Petrochemicals Industries Company (GPIC);

1^st Runner up – Ministry of Economy – UAE

2^nd Runner up (TIE) – 1) National Developmental Housing Corporation

2) Sanabel Landscape Architecture – Urban Design & Planning

Special Recognition (TIE) – 1) ADEEB GROUP

2) Dubai Police

• Social Enterprise Category

Winner – Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services

1st Runner – SALAM Social Enterprise

• Energy Sector Category

Winner – Masdar

1^st Runner up – Petroleum Development Oman

2^nd Runner up (TIE) – 1) ENGIE – INTERNATIONAL POWER SA (Dubai Branch)

2) Shaybah Producing Department – Saudi Aramco

• Financial Services Category

Winner – BANK OF AFRICA BMCE GROUP

1^st Runner up – Zurich International Life

2^nd Runner up – National Bank of Bahrain

• Hospitality Sector:

Winner – Holiday Inn Dubai – Al Barsha

1^st Runner up – Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach

• Construction Category

Winner – China State Construction Engineering Corporation Middle East (L.L.C)

• Healthcare Sector Category

Winner – Aster DM Healthcare

1st Runner up – Mediclinic Middle East

• Automotive Sector:

Winner – Mohamed Naser Al-Sayer & Sons Est.Co.

The 14th cycle of the Arabia CSR Awards was exceptionally significant due to the fact that post recovery strategies from the devastating effects of COVID-19 pandemic saw businesses and industries promoting and supporting sustainable development and addressing issues that challenge the very existence of human race.

The Awards was sponsored by: Gulf Petrochemical Industries Co. (Diamond Sponsor), SIPCHEM (Gold Sponsor), McDonald’s UAE (Silver Sponsor), and Al Sayer Group (Silver Sponsor). The official Communications Partner was ASDA’A BCW.  Climate Control Middle East was the Media Partner.  The event was a carbon neutral event courtesy of Farnek.

The Arabia CSR Network invites organisations in the Arab Region to be a part of the prestigious awards in its 15th Cycle to be launched in January 2022.