On October 4-5, Dubai’s DIFC presents the first “Future Sustainability Forum” to highlight the finance sector’s climate leadership.
As the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the world’s financial hub in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region, gets ready for the first “Future Sustainability Forum,” which will take place from October 4 to 5, Dubai is positioning itself to become the center of attention for action against climate change.
In order to address climate change, promote a fair transition to a sustainable economy, and coordinate efforts with the long-term objectives of the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for 2030, the financial sector can take the lead. This will be discussed during the two-day DIFC Sustainability Forum.
Over a thousand business executives from thirty different nations, including over fifty speakers, are expected to attend the Forum.
In order to fulfill the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, an estimated $3.3 trillion to $4.5 trillion in yearly global funding is needed, according to DIFC.
“The Forum will focus on mobilizing sustainable finance and innovation by connecting industry leaders, investors, tech disruptors, and policymakers, and help channel investment flows between the global north and global south, to accelerate climate action,” stated Mohammad AlBlooshi, chief executive officer of DIFC Innovation Hub, in a statement released as the event approached.
“We have a very clear mission: we want to lead innovation, encourage teamwork, and make sure the finance industry is at the forefront of sustainable practices.”
The sustainable debt market has grown as a result of high expectations. Nonetheless, there is growing pressure on institutions and governments to fulfill their sustainability pledges.
Motivating climate action
The agenda for the forum will back COP28’s four pillars: expediting the transition, addressing climate financing, emphasizing adaptation to safeguard lives and livelihoods, and ensuring COP28 is completely inclusive.
In order to hasten the worldwide shift towards a low-carbon, climate-resilient future, the Future Sustainability Forum will also aim to highlight the UAE’s sustainable practices, particularly within the financial sector. It will do this by bringing experts from around the world to interact, collaborate, and share knowledge.
Panel talks and meetings consist of:
- ‘Aiding corporations in integrating environmental, social, and governance’
- “Encouraging businesses to plan their route to achieve net-zero”
- “Unlocking ESG-driven innovation’s potential”
- Encouraging enduring entrepreneurial environments
- “Changing capital to propel the shift to a low-carbon economy”
Speakers at the event, which will focus on the value of private investment and environmental conservation, will include:
Finally Satya Tripathi, secretary-general of the Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet; Matt Brown, chief sustainability officer at Expo City Dubai; Shivam Kishore, senior advisor at the United Nations Environment Programme; Ghiwa Nakat, executive of Greenpeace MENA; Laila Abdullatif, director general of Emirates nature at WWF; and others.
