Sustainability Forum Middle East

🚨 Announcement! 🚨 Sustainability Forum Middle East, in partnership with Bahrain Institute for Pearls & Gemstones (DANAT), is set to host a high-level roundtable on April 15, 2025, in Manama under the theme:   🌊 Oceans at the Frontline: Harnessing Marine Ecosystems for Climate Action 🌱  As the first event in SFME’s 2025 Decarbonisation Roundtable Series, this gathering will explore blue carbon solutions, sustainable pearling, and corporate marine conservation efforts to advance climate resilience.  🔹 Featuring a fireside chat with Iris Van der Veken, Executive Director of the Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030, founded by Cartier & Kering, discussing the luxury industry’s role in sustainability.   🔹 Two expert panels will delve into Bahrain’s pearl oyster beds and how industrial sectors are integrating ocean conservation into sustainability strategies.  Stay tuned as we bring together global and regional leaders to shape a more sustainable future! 🌍✨  🔗 Read more at: https://lnkd.in/d4ZmstbM #SFME #Sustainability #ClimateAction #BlueEconomy #MarineConservation #NetZero

Reliving an unforgettable evening of inspiration and impact! ✨🌍 Our Women’s Leadership in Climate and Sustainability event was a powerful gathering of changemakers, thought leaders, and innovators driving the transition to a greener future. From insightful discussions to meaningful connections, this event showcased the vital role of women in shaping a sustainable and inclusive world. Thank you to our speakers, panelists, and attendees for making this night a true celebration of leadership, resilience, and action. Let’s continue amplifying voices, breaking barriers, and leading the way toward climate solutions that empower all! #WomenInSustainability #ClimateLeaders #SFME2025 #GreenFuture

The final workshop of the forum, titled "The Role of Public and Private Investment in Generating Decarbonization Action," was delivered by Environment Arabia Consultancy Services and facilitated by Iain Johnson and Rajith Chandran. The session explored the crucial role of public and private investments in driving decarbonization initiatives and was engaging, sparking insightful discussions. With that, the day—and the two-day forum—came to a close, concluding a series of thought-provoking and impactful sessions.

The second session on Day 2 of the Sustainability Forum Middle East 2025 was a dynamic blend of a workshop and a panel discussion, titled "Sustainable Finance – Key Steps to Create an Effective ESG Strategy: Aligning Business Goals to Sustainable Finance Requirements." This session was delivered by Anthesis Group with the participation of Solve Strategies and Standard Chartered. Facilitators included Damian Regan, Eléonore Lauret, Jessica Robinson and Lina Osman who joined virtually. It provided deep insights into aligning business goals with sustainable finance requirements, while also addressing key issues such as greenwashing. The Q&A segment at the end fueled a dynamic exchange of ideas, with the audience actively engaging, enriching the overall experience.

Day 2 of the Sustainability Forum Middle East 2025, which featured a series of exclusive workshops, kicked off with Workshop 1: The R.O.A.D. to Sustainability (Risks, Opportunities, Analytics, and Disclosures), delivered by KPMG Bahrain. The session was facilitated by Ivan A. Briceño Prince, CIA, CFE, Naren Pasupalati and Kalyan Krishnan. The workshop provided valuable insights into navigating the complex landscape of sustainability through risk management, identifying opportunities, and enhancing ESG disclosures. The highly interactive session, with engaging discussions throughout, included a Q&A segment at the end. The audience actively participated, asking thoughtful questions and contributing to a dynamic exchange of ideas, further enriching the learning experience.

Day one of the Sustainability Forum Middle East 2025 concluded with a compelling panel discussion titled "Financing the Future: Empowering Women as Leaders in the Green Economy." The women-led panel moderated by Jessica Robinson featured accomplished speakers Riham ElGizy, Victoria Barron, Afnan AlZayani, and Halel Engineer, who shared their remarkable achievements and insights on driving efforts to finance and enable a green economy across the GCC. The discussion highlighted initiatives by various authorities and companies to empower women in sustainability, alongside actionable steps to further advance gender equity in the green economy. The session concluded with an engaging Q&A, where attendees posed thought-provoking questions, adding depth to an inspiring and impactful conversation.

In her keynote address titled "Women at the Forefront: Leading the Just Transition to a Sustainable Future," Sarah El Battouty, Global Ambassador for the UNFCCC High-Level Climate Champions, delivered a compelling speech on the critical role of women in advancing sustainability. She highlighted the need for more women leaders and contributors in the STEM sector to drive innovation and inclusivity. Additionally, she emphasized the importance of localization, showcasing how many transformative sustainability solutions have been pioneered by women, reinforcing their essential role in building a greener and more equitable future.

The evening reception of the Sustainability Middle East Forum 2025, titled "Women’s Leadership in Climate and Sustainability – Amplifying the Voices of MENA’s Changemakers," was elegantly inaugurated in the presence of Her Excellency Dr. Sheikha Rana bint Isa bin Duaij Al Khalifa. The event was opened by Zahraa Taher, with welcoming remarks delivered by H.E. Dr. Bahia Jawad Al-Jishi, Board Member of Bahrain's Supreme Council for Women. The evening celebrated the growing recognition of female leadership in climate and sustainability across the MENA region and beyond, emphasizing the significant contributions women are making toward a greener, more sustainable future.

The panel, "'Securing Water Resources: Innovations and Strategies for a Resilient Future" moderated by Layla Sabeel featuring ABDURAHMAN ALSUM, Alexander Al Samahiji, Ahlam Zainal, and Mohammed Al-Aradi , addressed the growing challenge of water scarcity in the MENA region, exacerbated by climate change. As water resources become increasingly scarce, the panel discussed innovative solutions for sustainable water management, including desalination, wastewater treatment, and water recycling. The conversation also focused on diversifying water sources, reshaping perceptions of water resources, and exploring the water-energy nexus to maximize efficiency and build resilience in the face of these urgent challenges.

The panel "Navigating Compulsory Carbon Markets and Cross-Border Tax Regimes – Implications for MENA Companies", moderated by Ian McCallum featuring Khalid Albalushi, Lina Osman, Clint McLachlan, and Carl Clayton, explored the growing impact of global carbon markets and cross-border carbon taxation regimes, such as the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), on MENA-based exporters. As sustainability becomes a key focus for the industrial sector in the MENA region, panelists discussed the challenges MENA companies, particularly those in high-carbon industries like energy, manufacturing, and transportation, face with these regulations. Topics included compliance obligations, carbon pricing, potential costs, and the financial and operational implications of navigating these evolving frameworks in a globalized economy.