
Majra Committee Advances UAE Sustainability Goals with New Tools and Frameworks
Chaired by Mubarak Al Nakhi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, the meeting brought together key figures including Hanan Ahli of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre and Sarah Shaw, CEO of Majra. The committee approved several new tools aimed at streamlining sustainable project evaluation, while reviewing the broader roadmap laid out during the 2024 Impact Retreat.
Among the highlights was the introduction of the Impact Index, a benchmarking tool set to assess CSR and sustainability performance across the private sector. The first national report, expected in early 2026, will be compiled in collaboration with international partners and aligned with global standards like the SDGs and MSCI.
The committee also assessed the Transformational Projects Framework being developed by emirate-level chambers of commerce and reviewed progress on existing initiatives such as the Impact Seal and MAJRA Council.
Sarah Shaw reaffirmed Majra's commitment to embedding social responsibility into the institutional fabric of UAE businesses, while Al Nakhi emphasized the role of the private sector in building a sustainable future under the guidance of the nation's leadership.
In addition, updates were announced for the Sustainable Impact Challenge, including new award categories and the integration of the Majra Entity Portal to drive wider business engagement.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to transparency, inclusion, and long-term impact, reinforcing Majra's role in shaping a more sustainable and resilient UAE economy.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Zawya
3 days ago
- Zawya
Foreigners pour billions into Taiwan, South Korea stocks on AI, growth optimism
Foreign investors flocked to Asian stocks for the third straight month in July, with inflows into Taiwan hitting a near two-decade high and Thailand snapping its nine-month losing streak, buoyed by growth and AI prospects as trade worries fluctuate. Foreign inflows into most Asian equity markets have stabilised over the past three months as countries clinched better trade arrangements with the United States, calming tariff-related volatility and uncertainty in financial markets. Overseas investors showed strong interest in Taiwan and South Korea for the third straight month in July, pouring $7.78 billion in Taiwan, the highest since the 2008 global financial crisis, and $4.52 billion in South Korea, the most since February last year, LSEG data showed. The MSCI gauge of equities in Asia excluding Japan rose 2% last month, its fifth consecutive month in green, while benchmarks in Taipei and Seoul advanced roughly 6% each. Taiwan and South Korea were the top destinations in the region for foreign capital, securing a cumulative $25.7 billion over the past three months as the two dominant Asian tech exporters benefit from a global surge in AI-related investments. South Korea's shareholder-friendly reforms, political stability, and robust corporate fundamentals lured investors in 2025 after a dreary performance last year, though recent concerns over reforms to tax policy are posing new challenges. Foreign investors also net bought $499 million worth of Thai equities in July, the first month of inflows since September last year, as they scooped up stocks at relatively cheap valuations after a prolonged period of heavy selling. Even so, Thailand's uncertain political climate, challenging macroeconomic conditions, and an unnecessarily strong currency that undermines export competitiveness continue to impede any buildup of positions on these equities. Thailand's benchmark SET index surged 14% in July — its best month since November 2020 — but still not enough to erase steep losses suffered earlier in the year. The index remains 10% in the red, ranking among the region's worst performers. "We are cautious and underweight on Thailand as it remains in a fairly precarious position: high household debt, limited government spending, an uncertain political environment, and external negative events such as the conflict with Cambodia," said Kenneth Tang, senior portfolio manager at Nikko Asset Management. "If Thailand can settle these issues, it will clear up the path for its recovery." Indian stocks experienced sharp outflows of over $2 billion in July, the highest since February this year and snapping a three-month streak of net purchases. Indonesia and the Philippines also logged net outflows of $570 million and $29 million, respectively, last month, while Vietnam attracted $326 million as investors bet on the country's strong growth prospects after it secured a comfortable tariff rate with the United States. (Reporting by Sameer Manekar and Gaurav Dogra in Bengaluru; Editing by Saad Sayeed)


Web Release
6 days ago
- Web Release
300 Companies Complete the Impact Declaration through the Sustainable Impact Digital Portal
Majra– National CSR Fund announced that nearly 300 companies have successfully completed the mandatory Impact Declaration through the Sustainable Impact Digital Portal. This milestone marks a significant step in embedding sustainability and governance principles across the private sector and represents the first phase in the process of applying for the Impact Seal, a federal recognition for companies demonstrating measurable contributions to the UAE's sustainable development. The Impact Declaration serves as a unified federal tool to assess a company's disclosure of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) efforts, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices, and actual contributions to the UAE community—be it financial, in-kind, or volunteer-based. Commenting on this development, Sarah Shaw, CEO of Majra, noted that the increasing engagement with the Impact Declaration and applications for the Impact Seal reflect a growing institutional commitment within the private sector toward transparency and measurable action. She stated, 'At Majra, we are building a nationwide institutional environment grounded in documentation, impact measurement, and results-driven partnerships. Through the Sustainable Impact Digital Portal, we empower companies to transform their commitments into measurable contributions that serve society and advance the UAE's vision for sustainable corporate responsibility.' In parallel with this growing participation, Majra received approximately 160 applications for the second cycle of the Impact Seal through the digital portal. The applications included around 100 from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)and 60 from large corporates—demonstrating increased interest from all economic sectors in formalizing their impact and enhancing institutional competitiveness. The Impact Seal is awarded across two official categories: one for large companies and a newly introduced category dedicated to SMEs, aligned with the UAE's National SME Agenda. The Seal is granted in three tiers—Platinum, Gold, and Silver—based on the scope and depth of corporate impact and sustainability practices. Launched in late 2024, the Sustainable Impact Digital Portal serves as an integrated national platform enabling companies to submit declarations and applications in a streamlined and unified manner. The portal also provides access to a suite of services offered by Majra, including the documentation and accreditation of CSR and sustainability projects, certified workshops, specialized studies, and capacity-building programs tailored to institutional needs. It ensures alignment with national priorities and global sustainability standards. Obtaining the Impact Seal offers companies a comprehensive range of strategic and regulatory benefits. It represents official federal-level recognition for excellence in ESG, CSR, and sustainability, elevating corporate credibility and public image at both local and international levels. The Seal reinforces stakeholder and investor trust through a certified endorsement from a UAE government entity and grants companies' priority access to government-led initiatives, policy development circles, and high-level partnership opportunities. It also supports institutional branding through authorized promotional use of the Seal emblem and strengthens internal performance by enabling companies to review and improve their sustainability indicators and systems. All achievements are recorded and made visible through the portal, contributing to a transparent national repository of impact and facilitating integration into the wider sustainability ecosystem in the UAE. This upward trend in corporate participation confirms the success of the federal impact measurement framework in fostering a culture of responsible business, enabling verified tracking of private sector contributions, and directing them toward national priorities in line with global ESG and sustainability benchmarks.


Zawya
6 days ago
- Zawya
MAJRA: 300 companies complete Impact Declaration through Sustainable Impact Digital Portal
MAJRA – National CSR Fund announced that nearly 300 companies have successfully completed the mandatory Impact Declaration through the Sustainable Impact Digital Portal. This milestone marks a significant step in embedding sustainability and governance principles across the private sector and represents the first phase in the process of applying for the Impact Seal, a federal recognition for companies demonstrating measurable contributions to the UAE's sustainable development. The Impact Declaration serves as a unified federal tool to assess a company's disclosure of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) efforts, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices, and actual contributions to the UAE community—be it financial, in-kind, or volunteer-based. Commenting on this development, Sarah Shaw, CEO of Majra, noted that the increasing engagement with the Impact Declaration and applications for the Impact Seal reflect a growing institutional commitment within the private sector toward transparency and measurable action. She stated, 'At Majra, we are building a nationwide institutional environment grounded in documentation, impact measurement, and results-driven partnerships. Through the Sustainable Impact Digital Portal, we empower companies to transform their commitments into measurable contributions that serve society and advance the UAE's vision for sustainable corporate responsibility.' In parallel with this growing participation, Majra received approximately 160 applications for the second cycle of the Impact Seal through the digital portal. The applications included around 100 from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and 60 from large corporates—demonstrating increased interest from all economic sectors in formalising their impact and enhancing institutional competitiveness. The Impact Seal is awarded across two official categories: one for large companies and a newly introduced category dedicated to SMEs, aligned with the UAE's National SME Agenda. The Seal is granted in three tiers—Platinum, Gold, and Silver—based on the scope and depth of corporate impact and sustainability practices. Launched in late 2024, the Sustainable Impact Digital Portal serves as an integrated national platform enabling companies to submit declarations and applications in a streamlined and unified manner. The portal also provides access to a suite of services offered by Majra, including the documentation and accreditation of CSR and sustainability projects, certified workshops, specialised studies, and capacity-building programs tailored to institutional needs. It ensures alignment with national priorities and global sustainability standards.