Apr 27 2024
16th Arabia CSR Awards felicitates 41Champions of Sustainability in Arab world
Wed 04 Oct 2023
The 16th cycle of the acclaimed ‘Green Oscars of the Middle East celebrates the exemplary CSR/sustainability champions from across the Arab world
Applicants were meticulously evaluated against stringent criteria aligned with international benchmarks such as the 10 Principles of the UN Global Compact, GRI Standards, the European Foundation for Quality Management model (EFQM), and the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Dubai: The curtains came down yesterday on the 16th Arabia Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Awards, following a ceremony commemorating the winners at the Anantara Downtown Hotel in Dubai. Popularly known as the ‘Green Oscars of the Middle East’, the 16th Arabia CSR Awards was held under the patronage of H.H. Eng. Sheikh Salem Bin Sultan Bin Saqr Al-Qasimi, Chairman of the Ras Al Khaimah Civil Aviation Department and Member of the Executive Council of the Government of Ras Al Khaimah.
Launched in 2008, the home-grown accolade of the Arab region receives external verification from DNV, a globally recognized provider of business assurance. The Award has earned credibility, respect, and recognition through the international frameworks and principles incorporated into its methodologies such as the 10 Principles of the UN Global Compact, Global Investors for Sustainable Development (GISD) Alliance, GRI Standards framework, EFQM business excellence model and the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The awards ceremony was generously sponsored by esteemed entities including Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company (GPIC), Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO), China State Construction Engineering Corporation Middle East, and McDonald’s UAE. The 16th Arabia CSR Awards was recognized as a carbon-neutral event courtesy of FARNEK, effectively counterbalancing any emissions arising from transportation or other related activities.
In her welcome note at the gala event, Habiba Al Mar’ashi, Founder, President, and CEO of the Arabia CSR Network, said: “The Arabia CSR Awards go beyond the confines of a conventional recognition program. It is a dynamic platform that enriches education and proficiency, amplifies experiential knowledge and fosters the dissemination of best practices. Through this, it prominently showcases champions and role models within the Arab world. As the UAE commemorates the Year of Sustainability in 2023 and gears up to host COP28 next month, we currently find ourselves at a critical juncture, facing a paramount decision — to persist in operating our businesses and lives in an unsustainable manner or to wholeheartedly embrace the UN Sustainable Development Goals.”
In his address on the occasion, H.H. Eng. Sheikh Salem Bin Sultan Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, said: “The Arabia CSR Network persistently forges ahead, taking resolute strides to propel and elevate sustainability in the Arab region. The successful culmination of yet another cycle of the Arabia CSR Awards stands as a testament to this commitment. I wholeheartedly commit my support to all its initiatives, spanning local, regional, and global domains, with the aim to facilitate, foster, and cultivate sustainability not only regionally but also on an international scale. In harmonious collaboration, we have the potential to effectuate positive transformations concerning climate issues and develop a global hub for a sustainable and environmentally conscious economy.”
The debut of the annual Arabia CSR Awards 16 years ago coincided with the birth of a nascent stage of CSR and sustainability in the Arab world. The initiative was conceived to enlighten, inspire and incentivize entities to embrace social responsibility, ethical business practices, and a culture of transparency. The Awards hold a well-defined purpose: to advocate for and explore the latest regional CSR and sustainability advancements, trends, and benchmarks. In pursuit of this goal, over the past 16 years, the program has steadfastly acknowledged and celebrated entities that have displayed exceptional leadership and dedication to CSR and sustainability.
Since its inception, the Arabia CSR Awards have attracted 1,585 registrations from over 1,340 organizations belonging to 14 Arab countries and covering more than 44 sectors.
The current cycle received applications from all around the Arab region spanning a diverse spectrum of industries, affirming the region’s commitment to sustainability and corporate responsibility. An independent jury panel scrupulously oversaw the evaluation process. The results were externally validated through a reputed third-party entity. The assessments and feedback from the jury were diligently shared with the applicants, offering valuable insights by delineating both strengths and weaknesses and providing constructive recommendations.
This iterative methodology has played a pivotal role in enabling several organizations to refine their sustainability strategies and blueprints every year. Repeated winners of the awards have acknowledged the crucial role of the Arabia CSR Awards, particularly the jury assessment, in enriching their knowledge and proficiency in Environmental, Social, and Governance practices.
