World ESG Summit’s Post

Policy and legislation aren't my strong suit, and when it comes to sustainability I am clueless. But this is the beauty of learning through Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) in "Business Sustainability Management". As always Prof. Wayne Visser gave us one of his great and inspiring poems "To Lead" and I will use the below quote: Leaders come and leaders go But which will show a better way A brighter day because they led A lighter tread upon the Earth The birth of purpose in our lives And work in which our spirit thrives This course teaches more than I thought, as I started learning about what we do in #saudiarabia regarding #sustainability and #carbonemission. Saudi Green Initiative is doing a great job to achieve "The Paris Agreement" and they are focusing on: - Circular Carbon Economy - Investment in the green transition - Whole-of-society action - Global collaboration You can visit the NDC registry and view Saudi Arabia submission to learn more about what are we doing now. We do have great leaders led by the Crown Prince, and all entities (governmental & private) must work to achieve SGI target to reduces carbon emission by 278mtpa by 2023.

I am exhilarated to have attend the fourth meeting of the "Sustainability Dialogue" presented by Saudi Sustainability Club نادي الاستدامة السعودي and Badr Al-Johani. I would love to start by highlighting the following quote by Mr. Bandar Al Blehed “For corporates, ESG rating and scoring should not be the end goal but rather ESG’s impact on environments, economy, and society.” Adopting ESG measurements is a cornerstone of organizational performance metrics and a tool to attract potential investors. Key takeaways • Governmental bodies such as Saudi Tadawul Group, Capital Market Authority , and Public Investment Fund (PIF) are leading the initiative of sustainability and emphasizing on the ESG importance. • There is a room for development and utilizing young talents. • International trade/business can be affected by ESG, for example some European countries have foreign policies disallowing companies to conduct business with non-ESG compliant organizations. • Integrating Sustainability into education curricula.

I recently attended an exclusive roundtable discussion hosted by the UN Global Compact Network in the UAE and the General Secretariat of the UAE National Committee on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The focus was on the private sector's contribution to the SDGs, and it was an incredibly informative session with some exceptional speakers. However, what struck me was that approximately 90% of the attendees were "sustainability consultants," with a noticeable lack of business leaders at the table. This absence is troubling. Currently, our progress towards achieving the SDGs is around 15%. At this rate, reaching these critical goals by 2030 seems implausible—perhaps not even by 2050. Achieving global prosperity and ensuring no one is left behind requires more than just the efforts of supranational organizations, governments, policymakers, and NGOs. It demands the active involvement of those who wield economic power. Business leaders must recognize that participating in these conversations is not optional; it is imperative. The private sector holds the keys to driving substantial change and innovation. Without their active involvement, we risk falling short not just by 2030 but well beyond. The message is clear: business must be part of the solution. Together, we can unlock the potential for a thriving world where prosperity is shared, and no one is left behind. The time for action is now, and the responsibility lies with every business leader to step up and be a driving force for sustainable global development. #sdgs #unglobalcompact #ghaya #sustainabledevelopment #privatesector #purpose #UAE #sdgs

📣 ANNOUNCEMENT!!!! 📣   Seat at the Table, Voice in the Room: GRI Stakeholder Council   The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) is calling for new members for its Stakeholder Council with a focus on achieving “balanced representation that spans global regions”.   Members of the Stakeholder Council provide essential guidance and advice to GRI’s governance bodies. The Council can have up to 50 members. It is currently made up of 26 individuals from various backgrounds, including two individuals from companies/organisations in South Africa and one from Mauritius.   So, here I go again!   This is a crucial opportunity for #African #businessleaders and #professionals to step up.   For too long, Africa’s 🌍 voice has been underrepresented in critical global #sustainability discussions. But initiatives like the #ISSB and Global Sustainability Standards Board (#GSSB) are taking steps to correct this.    My recent post on Ndidi, Dr Nnoli-Edozien as a Member of the ISSB broke my record of views, impressions and reactions!   And check out these recent African appointments:   ✅ Igazeuma Okoroba, PhD, Group Head of Sustainability, Dangote Cement Plc, joins the GSSB. ✅Bola Adeeko, F.IoD, ACS, Director of Special Projects at The FMN Group, promoted to Vice Chair of the GRI Supervisory Board and ✅Tinuade Awe, until recently the CEO of the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group), has been appointed as a member of the GRI Supervisory Board.   We have unique and priceless insights to offer from our experiences. This call for new members to the GRI’s Stakeholder Council is another opportunity to get more seats at the table and voices in the room.   Please go ahead and apply. You have until 22𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 2024, so don’t tarry!   The link to the application is in the comment below 👇🏾 . Do let me know if you are selected!   And just in case you are wondering, “What are the GRI Standards?” or “Why it is important for representatives of African Businesses to get involved in the Stakeholder Council?”, I try to answer this in the video.   You can watch the full version of the video on my YouTube channel. (Link provided in the comment section👇🏾 as well). #SeatAtTheTable #VoiceInTheRoom #SimplifyingSustainabilityforBusinesses

🌟 Reflecting on an inspiring week in Riyadh, where the Global Compact Network Saudi Arabia proudly hosted the UN Global Compact Middle East Regional Meeting. As the sole sponsor, CES Consulting is grateful to have supported this impactful gathering of esteemed members and guests, where leaders from the public and private sectors came together to discuss sustainable development across the Middle East. 🌍 It was an honor to welcome our esteemed members and guests from across the region, including leading organizations such as بنك التصدير والاستيراد السعودي, الهيئة السعودية للمدن الصناعية ومناطق التقنية, ENGIE, EY, Abdul Latif Jameel Enterprises, Federation of Saudi Chambers, International Chamber of Commerce, SAB , Honeywell, and ROSHN l روشن Key Outcomes from the Event: 1. A renewed commitment to advancing responsibly, strengthening our collective resolve to drive sustainable practices across the region. 2. New UN Global Compact memberships from regional businesses committed to aligning with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 3. Strategic networking that facilitated sustainable supply chain agreements and collaborative initiatives aimed at creating more resilient, eco-friendly business operations. As we look forward, CES Consulting remains dedicated to supporting private sector growth through UNGC membership and helping businesses in the region realize their sustainability goals. Together, we are building a sustainable future for the Middle East—driven by collaboration, innovation, and shared responsibility. #SustainableCities #GreenEconomy #Sustainability #Vision2030 #cesconsulting #businesstransformation #transformation #leadership #CircularEconomy #innovation #future #environment #esg #sdgs #GreenBusiness #ClimateChange #SustainableCities #investment #ksa

Discover key insights at the ESG Africa Conference with our Keynote Discussion on the resilient ESG business case in the African context. 🌍 Our expert panel will explore: • Defining the enabling environment for ESG in Africa • Addressing uncomfortable truths and having the hard conversations needed to fully integrate ESG • The impact of ESG on leadership styles • Considering enabling environments along the entire value chain • Identifying enablers and overcoming challenges to convert barriers into opportunities • Legal implications of ESG adoption Keynote Speakers: Lee Swan, Head of Sustainability, Alexforbes Bonang Mohale, Chancellor of the University of the Free State, Chairman of The Bidvest Group Limited, ArcelorMittal, and SBV South Africa Services Ndidi, Dr Nnoli-Edozien, Board Member, IFRS 🗓️ Register here: https://buff.ly/3LoyBov 📄 Explore the full programme: https://buff.ly/3BkOfiR #ESGAfrica #Sustainability #ESGLeadership #ResilientBusiness #AfricanContext #LegalImplications

We recently collaborated with Cicero & Bernay on a CSR report, and it was featured in Alborsa newspaper. Here are some interesting findings:    📈 Awareness in Egypt, UAE, and Saudi Arabia averaged 93% in 2023, up from 84% in 2022.  📊 Over 80% of executives plan to enhance CSR activities in 2024, a 10% increase from 2022.  🌍 84% of business leaders view ESG standards as crucial to their strategies.    Check out our latest blog post for more insights: https://bit.ly/3LwuFCk #CSR #ESG #Sustainability #CorporateResponsibility

The Africa Shared Value & ESG Summit 2024! Africa Shared Value & ESG Summit 2024 at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Nairobi Upper Hill, Kenya. This premier event will highlight the expansion and impact of sustainability, Shared Value, and ESG practices across Africa. Why Attend? 1) Network with diverse and influential business leaders and change-makers from across the continent. 2) Gain unique perspectives and insights from continental and global leaders. 3) Discover how integrating Shared Value and ESG can drive both business success and societal impact. The summit will feature high-quality presentations and enable the formation of strategic partnerships. Attendees will explore how these initiatives not only drive business growth but also enhance societal well-being in Africa. The objective is clear: integrating ESG criteria and creating Shared Value are interlinked and pivotal to strategies for generating tangible business value while proactively addressing societal and environmental challenges. https://lnkd.in/d43pzFQU #ESG #SharedValue #Sustainability #AfricaSummit2024 #BusinessGrowth #SocietalImpact #Networking #Business #sustainability #Economicgrowth #Entrepreneurialdevelopment #Advancedgenderequality #Sustainablebusinesspractice

Hear from Wangechi Kariuki: A leader in International Development and Sustainability As an International Development Partnerships Specialist, Wangechi Kariuki has established herself as a dynamic leader in the development space. With a proven track record across government, corporate, and non-governmental sectors, her focus is on building resilient partnerships that drive impactful, sustainable solutions across Africa and beyond. The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) framework is a critical tool in Wangechi’s work. For professionals like her, GRI offers a structured approach to measuring and communicating the impacts of development programs. Whether it’s tracking environmental footprints or showcasing progress on social outcomes, GRI empowers organizations to tell transparent and compelling stories about their contributions to sustainable development. For Wangechi, GRI provides the data-driven insights necessary to strengthen trust, enhance accountability, and mobilize resources for transformative projects. The training equips her to integrate ESG considerations into program frameworks and advocate for sustainability in every partnership she coordinates. Wangechi’s leadership demonstrates the vital role ESG and sustainability reporting play in shaping inclusive, responsible, and future-focused development initiatives. We are excited to have her in the GRI training program and look forward to seeing how she leverages her expertise to drive meaningful change across the region. https://lnkd.in/dJBymTYa Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) #GRITraining #SustainabilityLeadership #ESG #SustainableDevelopment #InternationalDevelopment #Transparency #ImpactDriven

The Rami F. Makhzoumi Corporate Governance Initiative at the Suliman S. Olayan School of Business at the American University of Beirut, held its first in a series of round table events themed “COP 28 and Beyond: What it Means for Businesses in Lebanon and the MENA” which brought together experts and stakeholders to discuss the long-term impacts of #COP28’s key takeaways on the business landscape in Lebanon and the broader Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The session, organized and hosted by Mrs. Nada Naufal 🌐, Director of the Initiative, aligned with the broader theme of The Intersection of Corporate Governance and #ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance): Establishing Long Term Resilience.  Discussions highlighted several key themes regarding #sustainability initiatives that businesses are incorporating into their strategies as they transition towards sustainability, primarily focusing on #Decarbonization, #Circularity and #Sustainable Supply Chain in their aim of attaining #Netzero. The conversation expanded on #climate action, business opportunities, #policy and #regulatorychanges, green financing, innovation, and the importance of horizontal and vertical collaboration in the #sustainablesupplychain. Learn more 🔗 https://bit.ly/3Ke0QpC Thank you to all who contributed and supported this discussion May Naamani Makhzoumi Nabih Naamani Makhzoumi Foundation Mohamed Alem Alem & Associates His Excellency Nasser Yassin Her Excellency Najat Aoun Saliba Baalbaki Chemical Industries (BCI) Beesline IPT Group HOLDAL Group SACOTEL The Quinta Group Lina Chehab Maisaa Youssef Rajarshi Ray Ali Houjeij Salim S. Rouhana Ali Zgheib Simon Kachar, PhD Lina Tannir Neveen Ahmed Mohamad Faour St Clos Thomas #AUB #OSB #CorporateGovernance #ESG #Sustainability #ClimateAction #BusinessLeaders #SustainableDevelopment #SDG17