Forbes Middle East has kicked off the third edition of its Sustainability Leaders Summit in Abu Dhabi, convening global leaders, policymakers, and investors to accelerate the region’s transition to a green economy. Held under the theme “Guided by Legacy, Committed to Sustainability,” the two-day event is chaired by H.E. Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, the UAE’s Minister of Climate Change and Environment, and underscores the nation’s commitment to climate action.
Uniting Public And Private Sectors
The summit was organized in strategic partnership with the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), Zayed Sustainability Prize, and Zayed Authority for People of Determination, with NMDC Group as the presenting partner. The event brought together key decision-makers to explore innovative solutions that balance economic growth with environmental stewardship.
Notable attendees included H.H. Sheikha Dr. Shamma Mohammed Khalid Al Nahyan, H.E. Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri of EAD, and top executives from Emirates Global Aluminium, Contact Financial Holding, and EFS Facilities Services Group. In her address, H.E. Dr. Amna Al Dahak emphasized collaboration, stating, “Partnerships are the cornerstone of our approach to unifying community-wide efforts for a green future.” She added that the success of any sustainability framework requires integrating efforts and aligning environmental policies with economic and social transformations.
A Legacy Of Environmental Stewardship
The summit’s theme drew inspiration from the vision of the UAE’s founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Khuloud Al Omian, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Middle East, remarked, “This summit…draws inspiration from the vision of our founding father…who taught us that true progress lies in balancing what we build today with what we preserve for tomorrow.” This sentiment was echoed by H.H. Sheikha Dr. Shamma Mohammed Khalid Al Nahyan, who addressed the critical issue of water scarcity and highlighted the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative, launched in 2024 to tackle the global water crisis. “The Earth belongs to all of us, not to one nation or generation, but to humanity as a whole,” she asserted. “Without shared awareness, solutions remain words on paper.”
Empowering The Next Generation
A major highlight of the summit’s first day was the launch of the Forbes Middle East Youth Council. This new platform is designed to empower the next generation of leaders by enhancing their skills in innovation and entrepreneurship. The council aims to support emerging projects and develop creative solutions to pressing societal challenges, embedding a culture of environmental and social sustainability in its initiatives. “We are proud to launch the Youth Hub as part of this year’s summit, reaffirming our belief that the seeds of the future are planted today, and that it is our youth who will turn ideas into achievements and visions into tangible realities,” said Khuloud Al Omian.
About Forbes Middle East
Forbes Middle East is a licensed edition of Forbes for the Arab world, championing inspiring business journalism and entrepreneurial capitalism. It extends the Forbes brand of journalism across the MENA region, providing features, lists, and articles that are either locally originated or researched from a Middle Eastern perspective.
Source: Zawya
