2nd sustainability network seminar generates much interest amongst companies looking to adopt responsible business practices
Dubai, UAE - Maintaining its lead in advocating and exemplifying responsible business practices in Dubai, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry organised its second Sustainability Network CEO CSR Seminar at its headquarters on Thursday.
After the successful launch of the new initiative last year which served as the focal point for companies to share and exchange best practices, Dubai Chamber succeeded in generating interest in more companies to come on board and take the lead in implementing CSR practices amongst like-minded firms in the Emirate.
The Sustainability Network brings together UAE's top business leaders with the objective of promoting CSR leadership and internalizing corporate social responsibility best practices in the country.
The Dubai Chamber Sustainability Network acts to achieve these objectives through business and community engagement, initiating programs to raise awareness, promote CSR best practices; engage with the media and government for buy in and regulatory support.
The Sustainability Network so far consists of 17 high profile businesses, with a record of achievement in sustainable excellence, as well as a determination to lead the business community to the next level and determine the path of sustainability for the future. The members include Aramex, HSBC, Pepsi, CCC, Johnson & Johnson, Bank Sarasin, NBAD, TNT, Al Ahli Group, Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group, ABB, Standard Chartered, Dnata, Unilever, Freshfields, Puma, and Majid Al Futtaim Properties.
The seminar was attended by a large number of CEOs, members of the network as well as private sector representatives interested in adopting the concept of responsible business for their organisations. The speakers included Mr. Nabeel Abdulrahim, Head of Special Projects UAE, UAE Management Office, HSBC, and Sameena Ahmad, Managing Director, Bank Sarasin Alpen.
The speakers discussed the importance of responsible business practices in light of the application of CSR strategies in their organisations, the challenges they face as well as their contribution to the promotion of sustainability in raising the reputation of their company in the workplace. They shared their experiences in taking forward projects that focus on CSR related solutions and frameworks for businesses.
Dr. Belaid Rettab, Senior Director, Economic Research and Sustainable Business Development Sector, Dubai Chamber, emphasised on the importance of strong leadership which he said distinguishes world-class companies from their peers and has got to come from the top. He further stressed that one of the critical roles of leadership today is to spearhead the development and strategic implementation of CSR throughout their organisation.
Dr. Rettab added that a company's reputation is a top priority with its board of directors with whom lies the responsibility of leading the change while ingraining the habit of practicing responsible business down the line. He called upon the attendees to benefit from the seminar which offered companies the opportunity to network, share experience and demonstrate CSR leadership which he said is essential for the development and success of companies in today's business scenario.
Dr. Rettab further said that a vast majority of CEOs now recognise that expectations with respect to sustainability are increasing as the pressure to act is mounting and it is coming from stakeholders, employees, customers, governments, investors, and the society at large. Leadership is key to achieving change within a business and in order to be successful, leaders need to have a clear vision and set realistic and achievable goals, he added.
Highlighting Dubai Chamber's efforts in promoting CSR and sustainability Dr. Rettab informed that internally, the Chamber integrates sustainability across all its operations in light of its practices affecting the workplace, the market place, the environment and the community.
He said: "One example is our building's green retrofit, which is almost complete and has helped create a much healthier workplace for staff. Our efforts have borne fruits as our employee welfare scheme has helped improve satisfaction and moral across the board. Externally, our biggest contribution to CSR and sustainability has been the creation of our Centre for Responsible Business which works hard to raise awareness of responsible business practices and sustainability in Dubai's business environment."
Mr Rohit Walia, Executive Vice Chairman & CEO, Bank Sarasin-Alpen, added: "Corporate social responsibility is a very important part of our organisation's philosophy and is reflected in our interaction with our clients, employees as well as stakeholders. We have successfully implemented several CSR and community development initiatives in the region. Through our initiatives, I hope we have made a difference not only to those whose lives we have touched, but also in terms of highlighting the responsibility that organisations have, irrespective of their size of operation, towards the community. The Sustainability network is a very good initiative by the Dubai Chamber to bring together organisations that are keen to know more about CSR initiatives and best practices. As one of the founding members of the network, we hope to implement and contribute to best practices in corporate social responsibility."
Said Mr. Nabeel Abdulrahim, Head of Special Projects UAE, UAE Management Office, HSBC: "For HSBC, sustainability is about running our business for the long term; it is about investing in customer relationships; it is about ensuring that our governance is robust and that our risk appetite is prudently managed.
"This approach allows us to contribute to the socio-economic development and environmental protection of communities in a number of ways. We invest in educational projects around the world for disadvantaged youngsters, believing that access to education offers the best opportunity for prosperity in the years ahead. And we support the mitigation of environmental challenges by working with local organisations, providing financial assistance and staff volunteering time in tackling climate change."
He added: "Meeting with like-minded organisations and sharing ideas and examples of best practise in a forum such as the Dubai Chamber Sustainability Network Seminar, benefits companies and individuals alike. By coming together to openly share our experiences we can, together, continue making a positive impact on the world around us."
The Center for Responsible Business, which was formed in 2004, is the longest standing center promoting business responsibility in the UAE. The Center not only assists Dubai Chamber members to apply responsible business practices that enhance performance and competitiveness but also offers a variety of educational, professional training and consulting services that are designed to build individual companies' capacity to implement broad CSR programmes including business ethics, sustainability reporting and corporate governance.
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Editor's note
Established in 1965, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry is a non-profit public entity, whose mission is to represent, support and protect the interests of the business community in Dubai by creating a favorable business environment, supporting the development of business, and by promoting Dubai as an international business hub.
© Press Release 2011
