Sustainability Forum Middle East holds its third edition to drive climate and energy resilience
Manama: The third edition of Sustainability Forum Middle East was launched today running the 28th and 29th of January in the presence of H.E. Dr. Mohamed bin Mubarak Bin Daina, Minister of Oil and Environment, Special Envoy for Climate Affairs, and with the support of the Supreme Council for Environment. It opened with participation from more than 400 business leaders, policymakers, and sustainability experts, gathered to discuss the strategies for aligning business models with climate action, scaling climate finance, advancing policy and regulatory frameworks, fostering innovation, and accelerating technological advancements.
H.E. Dr. Mohamed bin Mubarak Bin Daina highlighted that the launch of this forum builds on its local, regional, and international successes. He emphasized Bahrain's commitment to supporting initiatives that promote national partnerships and international cooperation across various areas of sustainable development. He underscored the importance of collaboration, investment, and decisive action to accelerate the energy transition and achieve the decarbonization goals of the MENA region.
H.E. also stressed the need to continue efforts to enhance cooperation, coordination, and knowledge exchange between countries and organizations to combat climate change, adapt to its impacts, and mitigate its causes. He reaffirmed Bahrain's commitment to international climate and sustainability agreements, wishing for the Forum's success and impactful recommendations.
The Forum featured a day of engaging discussions, bringing together 50+ leading speakers from across MENA, Europe, the UK, US, Brazil and beyond. Experts covered a range of topics essential to achieving regional net-zero ambition.
On January 29, the Forum is hosting a series of expert-led workshops, delivered by leading global management consultancies and specialist regional ESG and sustainability advisory firms. These sessions will provide participants with the tools and expertise needed to develop effective sustainability strategies, enhance climate-related financial disclosures, and advance decarbonization initiatives.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Broadcast Pro
4 days ago
- Broadcast Pro
DFI announces programming and awards for 2025 Doha Film Festival
Doha Film Festival to have four competition strands with total of over USD 300,000 in prize money to reward artistic excellence. Doha Film Institute (DFI) has unveiled the programming and awards lineup for the upcoming Doha Film Festival (DFF), reaffirming its dedication to championing bold, original storytelling and amplifying underrepresented voices and diverse perspectives in global cinema. The announcement was made during the 78th Cannes Film Festival, marking the 15th anniversary of DFI, which was first launched in Cannes in 2010 by DFI Chair H.E. Sheikha Al Mayassa. Set to take place from November 20 to 28, 2025, the festival will offer over $300,000 in prize money and feature a vibrant official selection across four competition categories: the International Feature Film Competition, showcasing compelling new works by emerging and established filmmakers; the International Short Film Competition, which highlights innovative storytelling in short form; the Ajyal Film Competition, judged by a youth jury offering generational insight; and the Made in Qatar Competition, celebrating the creativity and talent of filmmakers based in Qatar. The festival promises a multifaceted experience, with industry sessions, community screenings, youth-focused programming, and a variety of events that will transform Doha into a global hub for filmmakers, artists, and audiences united by a passion for thought-provoking cinema. Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, Chief Executive Officer of Doha Film Institute and Festival Director, said: 'Doha Film Festival is not only a celebration of cinema, but a platform for purpose-driven storytelling amplifying important voices that are redefining the global film landscape with depth, nuance, and truth.' She added: 'It is the next chapter in our continued mission to nurture independent filmmakers, inspire new perspectives and foster cultural dialogue through cinema. The festival will offer a vibrant meeting point for film lovers, a stage for powerful stories and a launchpad for a new generation of cinematic talent. DFF is an expansion of the strong foundation we built with Ajyal Film Festival as a unique platform for self-expression and creative empowerment, and we look forward to guests celebrating the unifying power of film with us in Doha this November.' Each competition will feature awards that not only recognise excellence in filmmaking but also provide significant financial support and international exposure. The International Feature Film Competition will be adjudicated by a five-member jury and include awards such as Best Narrative ($75,000), Best Documentary ($50,000), Best Artistic Achievement ($45,000), and Best Performance ($15,000), along with a Special Mention certificate. The International Short Film Competition, overseen by a three-member jury, will award Best Film – Narrative or Documentary ($20,000), Best Director ($12,000), and Best Performance ($7,000). Meanwhile, the Made in Qatar Competition will honor local talent with awards for Best Short – Narrative or Documentary ($15,000), Best Director ($10,000), and Best Performance ($5,000), further reflecting DFI's strong commitment to supporting homegrown storytellers. The Ajyal Film Competition, continuing its tradition within DFF, will feature a youth jury aged 16 to 25, who will present awards for Best Feature – Narrative or Documentary ($35,000) and Best Short – Narrative or Documentary ($12,000). An Audience Award, accompanied by a certificate and trophy, will also be presented during the festival. DFF will activate iconic locations throughout Doha, with Katara Cultural Village set to host red carpet events and premieres, Msheireb Downtown Doha serving as the central hub for industry activities, and the Museum of Islamic Art providing an intimate venue for short film screenings. The full festival programme, including jury members and competition film titles, will be revealed in the coming months.
Web Release
5 days ago
- Web Release
UAE ministers hail election of Shaikha Al Nowais as UN Tourism Secretary-General as a historic milestone in global tourism leadership
Several UAE ministers hailed the election of Emirati H.E. Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais as Secretary-General of UN Tourism as a historic and commendable achievement for the country on both the regional and global stage. This accomplishment reflects the UAE's leading position in tourism and the success of its strategic vision to support international efforts in developing a sustainable and responsible tourism sector that drives economic and social development for communities around the world. H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the UAE Tourism Council, said: 'Thanks to the guidance of our wise leadership, the UAE today celebrates a new historic milestone in its tourism sector: the election of the UAE's candidate, H.E. Shaikha Al Nowais, as Secretary-General of UN Tourism for the 2026–2029 term. This achievement reflects the UAE's pioneering and influential role in leading global efforts toward sustainable tourism development, in close cooperation with international decision-makers and organizations across the global tourism landscape. It also reaffirms the success of the UAE's strategic vision in strengthening openness to the world and building robust international partnerships that support its aspirations as a premier tourism destination, both regionally and globally.' H.E. Bin Touq added: 'We are proud to have earned the trust of the international community in our national capabilities, as reflected in the election of Shaikha Al Nowais – the first Emirati and Arab young woman – to the position of UN Tourism Secretary-General. This milestone highlights the competence of our young national talent and their ability to gain international confidence in leading high-level roles within specialized sectors such as tourism. It also reaffirms the prominent status that Arab women have achieved on both regional and global stages.' H.E. also commended her extensive experience and capabilities in representing the UAE at the highest international levels, as well as her comprehensive vision for strengthening global cooperation to achieve sustainable and responsible tourism development. Her leadership is expected to elevate the tourism sector to new heights of progress and prosperity while contributing meaningfully to the implementation of UN Tourism projects and initiatives. H.E. pointed out that the UAE's tourism sector achieved exceptional growth in 2024, driven by the launch of several key national initiatives designed to promote tourism within the country and attract international visitors. Notable developments included the fifth season of the 'World's Coolest Winter' campaign, the inauguration of the National Tourism Charter, and the adoption of the International Code for the Protection of Tourists—implemented in collaboration with UN Tourism as a guiding framework. These initiatives collectively support the objectives of the National Tourism Strategy 2031, which aims to position the UAE as the world's leading tourism brand by the next decade. Her Excellency Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, emphasized that the election of Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais as Secretary-General of UN Tourism represents a significant milestone for the UAE and a proud achievement for Emirati women. Her Excellency added: 'Her appointment as the first woman to assume this position demonstrates the international community's confidence in her capabilities and highlights the UAE's leading role in advancing sustainable development globally.' Her Excellency noted that Shaikha's distinguished career in the private sector will bring a fresh perspective to UN Tourism, with a focus on delivering tangible results and enhancing the organization's operational efficiency for the benefit of the global tourism industry. His Excellency Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State, said: 'Empowering and supporting Emirati women is a cornerstone of the UAE's wise leadership and its vision for a more prosperous and advanced future. The UAE continues to strengthen women's participation and contributions across all sectors, while ensuring their impactful presence on regional and international platforms. In this context, the selection of young Emirati Shaikha Al Nowais as Secretary-General of UN Tourism reflects this forward-looking vision. It marks a significant step in reinforcing the UAE's global leadership in promoting a safe, sustainable, and inclusive tourism sector that drives long-term growth and development.' His Excellency added: 'The election of H.E. Shaikha Al Nowais to this prestigious international position reflects not only her competence and professional excellence but also the international community's confidence in the UAE and its standing as a trusted partner in advancing sustainable development globally. It further reaffirms the esteemed position our nation has earned both regionally and internationally.' Underscoring the significance of the historic milestone, H.E. Omar Obaid Al Hassan Al Shamsi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, noted that the election of the first Emirati woman by the UN World Tourism Organization demonstrates the continuous support and empowerment provided to Emirati women by the UAE's wise leadership. His Excellency further affirmed that the UAE's continued collaboration with the Organization and its member states has yielded tangible results. The Undersecretary expressed his confidence that Shaikha Al Nowais, with her robust expertise in tourism and hospitality, would redefine the future path of the industry's development.
Web Release
31-05-2025
- Web Release
Ministry of Sports organises ‘UX Lab' event for Sports Sabbatical services as part of Zero Government Bureaucracy Program
The Ministry of Sports hosted the 'User Experience Lab' (UX Lab) at its headquarters in Dubai to enhance sports sabbatical services. The event presented an in-depth simulation of the digital customer journey, allowing participants to evaluate the sports sabbatical services offered by the Ministry. Attendees included representatives from various sports federations, the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), and specialists from the Ministry's digital transformation and customer happiness departments. The event highlighted the Ministry's ongoing efforts to enhance the efficiency of government services and simplify the processes for obtaining sports sabbatical services as part of the UAE's Government Services 2.0 framework and the Zero Government Bureaucracy program. In this context, His Excellency Ghanim Mubarak Al Hajeri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Sports, stated that hosting the UX Lab is a testament to the Ministry's unwavering commitment to providing smart and integrated sports services that streamline transaction procedures for sports entities. In addition, he said: 'Enhancing customer experiences is one of the factors that drive our efforts to design services and simplify procedures. Through this initiative, we look forward to directly involving representatives of sports federations in the process of assessing the services and proposing solutions, further emphasising our belief that remarkable improvements in services begin with customers.' H.E. Al Hajeri added: 'We consider the UX Lab as a meaningful step towards our efforts to offer government services without any administrative complications, using optimisation tools and collaborative designs with customers. Through its results, we aim to make significant enhancements in sports sabbatical services and attain the goals of the Zero Government Bureaucracy Program.' The UX Lab will evaluate the current customers' experience with sports sabbatical services. In line with this, six representatives from sports entities who participated in the event were allocated one hour each to conduct a session assessing their digital journey and exploring opportunities for improvement. The event further aligns with the Ministry's efforts to provide seamless and effective government services focused on customer requirements. The Ministry of Sports continues its efforts to implement quality initiatives that enhance customer experiences and improve access to its services, guided by a customer-centric vision. By employing best practices in government service design, the Ministry aims to streamline processes and boost operational efficiency. This approach ensures smoother and more adaptable service experiences that align with the expectations of sports entities and support the country's digital transformation.
