Dubai is readying itself to become the focal point for action against climate change as the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the global financial hub in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, prepares for the first ‘Future Sustainability Forum’, which will be held 4 to 5 October.
The two-day DIFC sustainability forum will explore how the financial sector can lead the charge in addressing climate change, promoting a just transition to a sustainable economy, and aligning efforts with the long-term goals of the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for 2030.
The Forum hopes to attract over 1000 industry leaders, including more than 50 speakers, from 30 countries across the globe.
DIFC explained that, globally, an estimated USD $3.3trillion to $4.5trillion is required annually to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Mohammad AlBlooshi, chief executive officer of DIFC Innovation Hub, also commented as the forum draws closer: “The Forum will focus on mobilising sustainable finance and innovation by connecting industry leaders, investors, tech disruptors, and policymakers, and help channel investment flows between the global north and global south, to accelerate climate action.
“Our mission is clear: We want to pioneer change, foster collaboration, and ensure that the finance sector stands at the forefront of sustainable practices.”
Strong demand from expectations has driven the growth of the sustainable debt market. However, expectations are rising for governments and organisations to deliver on their sustainability commitments.
Driving climate action
The Forum’s Agenda will support COP28’s 4-pillar plan on fast-tracking the transition, fixing climate finance, focusing on adaptation to protect lives and livelihoods, as well as making COP28 fully inclusive.
The Future Sustainability Forum will also look to spotlight the UAE’s sustainable practices, particularly within the financial ecosystem, inviting global experts to connect, collaborate and share insight to accelerate the global transition towards a low-carbon, climate-resilient future.
Panel discussions and sessions include:
- ‘Supporting corporates in embedding ESG within their organisations’
- ‘Empowering companies to design their path to Net-Zero’
- ‘Unlocking the potential of ESG-driven innovation’
- ‘Fostering sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems’
- ‘Transforming capital to drive the low carbon transition’
As the event prepares to discuss the importance of environmental conservation and private investment, speakers will include:
Ghiwa Nakat, executive of Greenpeace MENA; Laila Abdullatif, director general of Emirates nature at WWF; Satya Tripathi, secretary-general of the Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet; Matt Brown, chief sustainability officer at Expo City Dubai; as well as Shivam Kishore, senior advisor at the United Nations Environment Programme.
