Dubai Chamber hosted the Sustainability Network Achievements Ceremony, this morning, to acknowledge the commendable work done by its members in implementing sustainable and responsible practices in 2019 and to motivate them to further integrate these practices in the community.

Last year, 17 new companies joined the Network, bringing the membership to 64. Launched in 2010, as a platform for the business community to identify and share expertise on CSR and sustainability challenges, the Network has initiated many initiatives to support businesses adopt sustainable practices.

The ceremony was preceded by H.E Hamad Buamim, President & CEO, Dubai Chamber and attended by members of the Sustainability Network, business leaders, experts and decision-makers in the field of sustainability.

H.E Buamim congratulated the members for their commitment and success in putting in place responsible business practices and creating awareness about the impact of business on the environment.

He touched upon the importance of circular economy and its critical role in reducing carbon footprint and creating investment opportunities.

He also underlined the impact that Expo 2020 will have in identifying innovative solutions. “ Closer home, this year there will be an even stronger focus on sustainability with the Expo 2020, under its sub-theme of “Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability” integrating it in every aspect and providing us with innovative and sustainable solutions to global problems,” he remarked.

Hassan Omar, Chief Operating Officer, Ducab, Abdullah Sharafi, MD, Gerab Group and Eugene Mayne, Group CEO, Tristar, made presentations on responsible practices for businesses, the role of sustainability in shaping the future of business, and how the Sustainability Network can be a platform to  achieve those goals.

In 2019, the Sustainability Network organised 20 events, ranging from high-profile best practices seminar to multi-stakeholder dialogues with more than 384 participants from private and public on topics such as employee well-being, sustainable supply chain, and waste management.

This year, the Network, through its eight sustainability Network Task Forces, which are based on the four pillars of CSR and sustainability – namely – workplace, marketplace, community and environment, will continue to set action-oriented agendas

The network comes under the ambit of the Centre for Responsible Business, which also launched the Dubai Chamber Sustainability Week under the title “World without Waste” which was a huge success with close to 18,000 participants from 291 organisations.

Set up in 2004, the Centre for Responsible Business has played a very critical role in guiding businesses in becoming more aware of the business, social and environmental value of sustainable practices and putting in place such practices.