Bodour Al Qasimi Warns Against Dealing With Sustainability As A Popular Concept

the Sharjah Foreign Direct Investment Office (Invest in Sharjah), the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa), and the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park, under the slogan “The Formula for Success: Where Business Meets Sustainability.” The council brought together a group of senior government officials, businessmen, thought leaders and change makers, providing them with a platform for dialogue and unifying visions and efforts that promote sustainability values and practices in various sectors and industries, and develop environmentally friendly and safe business options for the future of the world.

The Council’s activities kicked off with a keynote speech by Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, in which she emphasized the importance of not dealing with sustainability as a popular concept, and the need to enhance awareness, commitment and positive impact on the planet and expand its horizons beyond the scope of the Conference of the Parties (UAE Climate Conference).

The list of speakers at the council included Majid Al-Suwaidi, Director General of the Office of the Conference of the Parties (UAE Climate Conference), Omar Al-Suwaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, Khaled Al-Huraimel, CEO of Bee’ah Group, and Ahmed Obaid Al-Qaseer, Executive Director of the Sharjah Authority. for Investment and Development (Shurooq), Mohammed Juma Al Musharrekh, Executive Director of the Sharjah Foreign Direct Investment Office (Invest in Sharjah), Naglaa Al Midfa, Executive Director of the Sharjah Center for Entrepreneurship (Sheraa), and Hussein Al Mahmoudi, Executive Director of the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park, along with a group of elite Speakers from government and private agencies. Promoting sustainable practices Majid Al Suwaidi, Director General of the Office of the Conference of the Parties (UAE Climate Conference), praised Sharjah’s efforts under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, in promoting sustainable practices, stressing that His Highness led Emirate over decades of time through the establishment and development of many initiatives that strengthened the future of the economy.

Al Suwaidi pointed out that the UAE seeks to make the Climate Summit (COP 28) a double opportunity to confront climate change issues, and to establish generations committed to protecting the environment and responsible practices. He said: «COP 28» represents a pioneering platform for creating new jobs and supporting sectors with great investment returns for the UAE, and we seek, through hosting the climate summit, to find advanced solutions to meet climate challenges, and we know that the issue needs to allocate trillions in order to finance initiatives Climate technology such as using artificial intelligence and agricultural technology to decarbonize the planet. Al-Suwaidi added: “No region is safe from climate change, and the result is a threat to our lives, so COP 28 is a response to these challenges, an attempt to reduce high temperatures, and reduce emissions by 43 percent, as the summit offers the most prominent solutions.”

And chart the right path towards a secure future in order to improve the quality of life. Promoting technology In turn, Omar Al-Suwaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, affirmed the ministry’s commitment to sustainability as a way of life by promoting technology in raising the level of sustainable business efficiency, and working to create policies and standards that promote the green economy, explaining that the ministry is looking forward to creating an economy It is based on sustainability and supports renewable energy initiatives. Al Suwaidi referred to the UAE’s efforts to enact legislation that focuses on consolidating sustainable business principles in various sectors, including legalizing the use of plastics and environmentally harmful materials, which contributes to providing future opportunities to expand the scope of renewable energy uses and expand the impact of sustainability initiatives.

Achieving climate neutrality Khaled Al Huraimel, CEO of Bee’ah Group, indicated that declaring 2023 the year of sustainability in the UAE reflects its efforts to promote sustainable development and preserve the environment. He added, “Sharjah’s focus on sustainability is embodied in cooperation between government and private sector institutions in the emirate. Through these joint efforts, we seek to overcome the challenges facing various sectors, give priority to the business sector, and support the comprehensive development process in the emirate. The UAE has set a strategic goal of achieving neutrality.” climate by 2050, including the transition to a green economy and clean energy, improving the quality of life, and promoting economic growth. He continued, “Initiatives such as the Sharjah Sustainable City, the Bee’ah Group’s circular economy approach to waste management, and the partnership between Masdar and the Bee’ah Group to build a waste-to-energy plant embody the innovative and integrated approach adopted by Sharjah to promote sustainability.

Sharjah’s commitment to sustainability not only enhances the preservation and protection of the environment, but also contributes to advancing economic development and provides a wide range of opportunities that help companies succeed in global markets. Overcoming challenges Naglaa Al Midfa, Executive Director of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa), said: “By prioritizing sustainability, Sharjah is working to build a just, resilient and prosperous future for all residents, visitors and stakeholders, and here the role of entrepreneurship in developing solutions New, innovative, scalable and low-cost solutions to meet environmental challenges and overcome them, as social entrepreneurs have devoted all their efforts to identifying gaps in the market and developing solutions that address a wide range of sustainability challenges, including climate change, energy efficiency, waste management, and resource conservation.

And Sheraa’s initiatives embody its commitment to promoting sustainability and supporting entrepreneurs who are working to find solutions to overcome environmental challenges.” Innovation and Technology Hussein Al Mahmoudi, Executive Director of the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park, said: “Innovation and technology play a fundamental role in achieving the goals of sustainable development, and we believe in our ability to contribute to effectively addressing pressing global challenges through scientific and technological progress. Designing the innovation system in the complex to mitigate the repercussions of climate change, accelerate the transition towards a circular economy, and provide a platform that brings together researchers, entrepreneurs and companies, and helps them cooperate and develop innovative ideas.

We are confident that making a real impact can only be achieved through partnerships, which counts The Sharjah Ramadan Council aims to open a space for dialogue, understanding and cooperation with stakeholders from different backgrounds and industries, to stimulate a culture of innovation and sustainability and ensure positive change in the future. Shared responsibility In turn, Ahmed Obaid Al-Qaseer, Executive Director of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), said: “Joint action and cooperation is the firm foundation for mobilizing effective efforts aimed at achieving sustainability, and we have a joint responsibility as individuals, societies and peoples to ensure the preservation of our planet for future generations. And in (Shurooq) we are keen to adopt sustainability that comes at the heart of business and development strategies, starting with sources and building materials and ending with the latest advanced technology in waste management and recycling.

We give priority to implementing sustainable and environmentally conscious practices in all our projects, and through our integrated developments and investments, we seek To provide a role model with the aim of cooperation and work hand in hand with stakeholders and stakeholders in various sectors to unite efforts and make the desired positive impact towards sustainability. Waste Reduction Mohammed Al Musharrekh, Executive Director of the Sharjah Foreign Direct Investment Office (Invest in Sharjah), said: “With the increasing importance of sustainability for companies and businesses, our long-term strategy focuses on attracting sustainable foreign direct investment into various sectors including renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and tourism. Environment, sustainable real estate and agricultural development, green transportation and waste management to support long-term economic growth, while mitigating environmental and social impacts to a minimum.

Therefore, we encourage existing and new companies in Sharjah to adopt sustainable practices for supply chain management, which include sourcing materials locally and reducing waste in operations. production». Effective Strategies and Solutions The Council witnessed a session entitled “The Conscious Council: Our Collective Responsibility”, during which it shed light on effective and integrated strategies to promote sustainability across various sectors and industries with the aim of ensuring the continuity of life on the planet, and the Council helped stakeholders in the entrepreneurship system to discuss The ways in which startups and investors can make progress in the sustainability sector. The Sharjah Ramadan Council 2023 constituted a platform for uniting efforts, highlighting the pivotal role of social and technological entrepreneurs in achieving sustainability, and supporting the business sector’s role in preserving the environment and ensuring a stable and secure future. Naglaa Al Midfa: Entrepreneurship contributes to the development of innovative solutions Majid Al Suwaidi: “Cop 28” is an opportunity for generations committed to environmental protection Omar Al Suwaidi: We look forward to building an economy based on sustainability and “renewable” Ahmed Al Qaseer: Basic cooperation To drive efforts towards sustainability Muhammad Al-Mushrekh: Our strategy focuses on attracting investment.

Hussain Al-Mahmoudi: Innovation and technology play a role in achieving sustainability. Bodour Al-Qasimi calls for decisive action to build a more stable world. Further goals, results and greater achievements. Sheikha Bodour Al-Qasimi said: “We are working in Sharjah to enhance balance and harmony in our relationship with the land, and to launch a set of campaigns in the implementation of which a number of governmental and private bodies and educational institutions in the emirate participate, such as harvesting wheat free of pesticides within the (Seven Sanabel) project in the Maliha area in Sharjah, which came under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council, Ruler of Sharjah, banning non-reusable plastic materials, establishing the first facility in the UAE to recycle electric car batteries, and developing applications for waste management in a more effective, efficient and environmentally friendly manner. She added, “I am confident that the development goals that we are looking forward to today will not be sufficient to reach them during the next few years, thanks to research and technological development, as they will allow us to set further goals and achieve greater results and achievements, and will make us able to build a more sustainable and stable world.” . Bodour Al Qasimi mediates the audience with the participants in the Ramadan Majlis.