
National CSR Fund – MAJRA plants 8,200 mangroves in Jebel Ali Marine Sanctuary - Middle East Business News and Information
In a move to promote environmental responsibility in the UAE and to offset carbon footprint of the 'Impact Retreat' The sapling planting initiative facilitated a count of 82 trees per person, which will offset the 'Impact Retreat' participants' combined carbon footprint until June 2025.
UAE, January, 2025: Majra National CSR Fund –planted 8,200 mangrove saplings in Jebel Ali Marine Sanctuary, to offset the carbon footprint generated by its recent 'Impact Retreat', highlighting its commitment towards environmental responsibility in the UAE and community collaboration. The exceptional move, inspired by the World Bank data report stating that a person should plant 164 trees a year to offset their minimum carbon footprint, aims to foster a sense of accountability for the institutions and private sector and promote the adoption of sustainable practices when conducting in-person gatherings, which contribute to supporting the achievement of economic and social development
The initiative commenced with the gathering of participants at the Jebel Ali Marine Sanctuary, where they attended an environmental awareness session, exploring the role of mangroves in combating climate change, protecting coastlines and supporting biodiversity. After the session, attendees planted the saplings at the planting site, which served as an important team-building exercise for reinforcing the shared values of sustainability and conservation. They also participated in a team challenge to learn about local marine biodiversity.
Majra's Director, Sarah Shaw stated: 'At Majra, we actively strive to fulfil our commitments by implementing proactive measures, to achieve the UAE's vision of promoting environmental responsibility and supporting sustainability. The sapling planting initiative facilitated a count of 82 trees per person, which will offset the 'Impact Retreat' participants' combined carbon footprint until June 2025. The event, while marking a great start to 2025, also inspires the institutions and the private sector to drive more sustainable impact throughout the year and beyond.'
Majra's 'Impact Retreat' aimed to increase the private sector to contribute to national priority projects which are developed in cooperation and coordination with government leaders, civil society organizations, and specialists in the field of social responsibility practices, and sustainability in private companies awarded the Impact Seal. This commitment seamlessly aligns with the UAE's environmental, social, economic and governance indicator goals as well as the nation's broader sustainable development strategy.

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Mid East Info
7 days ago
- Mid East Info
Majra – National CSR Fund honours top 20 CSR projects at inaugural Sustainable Impact Challenge 2025 - Middle East Business News and Information
H.E. Bin Touq: The UAE is deeply committed toward developing national initiatives that promote the values of social responsibility, and the 'Sustainable Impact Challenge' embodies our vision of encouraging responsible business practices The event witnessed several sessions and meetings that discussed a range of topics, including: Barriers that hinder the advancement of social responsibility in the UAE and the need for stronger regulatory frameworks to adopt CSR initiatives across the private sector. The importance of supporting public-private collaborations in developing the impact economy and promoting sustainable and comprehensive development. UAE, June, 2025: MAJRA – National CSR Fund recognised the top three winning projects and honoured 17 other initiatives shortlisted for the inaugural edition of Sustainable Impact Challenge 2025, during a prestigious awards ceremony held at the SEE Institute in The Sustainable City, Dubai. Held under the patronage and in the presence of H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of Majra's Board of Trustees, alongside prominent figures, such as H.E. Hessa Bint Essa Buhumaid, Director General of the Community Development Authority, the event celebrated innovative initiatives that created tangible impact in the nation's sustainability landscape. H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri said: 'The UAE is deeply committed toward developing national strategies and programs that uphold social responsibility and encourage sustainable practices across all sectors. At Majra, we are pleased to play a key role in this effort by fostering collaboration and building strong partnerships with the private sector. The launch of the first edition of the Sustainable Impact Challenge, which will be held annually, reflects our mission to instil corporate CSR values and nurture a culture of sustainable development. Through this initiative, we aim to support impactful private sector projects that align with the national agenda, contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and promote responsible business practices. This is in line with our broader commitment to shaping a more resilient and sustainable future in accordance with the 'We the UAE 2031' vision.' The Sustainable Impact Challenge is a national platform designed to identify and celebrate outstanding CSR initiatives led by private sector companies, third-sector organisations, universities, and other institutions. It reflects Majra's firm dedication to empowering these vital contributors and directing their efforts toward sustainable development. By recognising impactful initiatives, the Challenge further supports the UAE's broader national drive to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and promotes the adoption of CSR and sustainability practices across all major sectors. In her speech, H.E. Hessa Buhumaid affirmed the pivotal role played by Majra through the launching of such CSR initiatives and the identification of effective private sector leadership that would enhance social impact. H.E. highlighted the importance of this Challenge as the first initiative showcasing projects with significant environmental, economic, and social impact in conjunction with the prestigious 'Year of Community' program. Her Excellency praised the efforts of the third sector in providing valuable contributions and actively tackling social, environmental, and economic issues. The top three winners included HeroGo, for its project 'Empowering the GCC to access better quality and more affordable groceries while eliminating food waste'; Thiqa Education's '1 Dirham makes an impact' initiative; and Distant Imagery Solutions' 'Rooted in Innovation UAE Engineered Drones Transform Mangrove Restoration' initiative. Together, they were awarded a total cash prize of AED 600,000 in recognition of their exceptional contributions to sustainable development in the UAE. Additionally, the other shortlisted sustainability initiatives were acknowledged for their outstanding efforts and given the opportunity to showcase their project outcomes. Sarah Shaw, CEO of Majra, said: 'We are delighted to identify and honour the innovative, impactful projects through the Sustainable Impact Challenge 2025. These initiatives highlight the pivotal role of private sector firms in driving sustainable change. At Majra, we look forward to relentlessly supporting such efforts that contribute to the UAE's vision for a sustainable, inclusive and resilient future.' On the sidelines of the event, several sessions and meetings were held to reinforce Majra's lead role in fostering sustainability in various industries. A key session at the event featured H.E. Abdullah Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy and Vice Chairman of Majra's Board of Trustees, along with undersecretaries from five ministries to discuss the main challenges that hinder the advancement of social responsibility in the UAE. Key issues highlighted included the lack of opportunities that encourage private sector involvement, ongoing environmental hurdles and ways to find adequate solutions, and the need for stronger regulatory frameworks that require organisations to implement CSR practices. Another key session titled, 'The Role of Public, Private and Third Sector in Developing an Impact Economy,' explored the importance of cross-sector collaboration in building a sustainable economy. The panel featured thought leaders including Dr. Habiba Al Marashi, Chairperson and Co-Founder, Emirates Environmental Group, Chandran Nair, Founder and CEO, Global Institute For Tomorrow (GIFT) and H.E. Maysa Al Nowais, Executive Director – Community Engagement and Volunteering, Social Contributions Authority – Ma'an. The session was moderated by Mohammed Hanif Al Qassim. The event also hosted the inaugural meeting of the Fashion Sustainability Taskforce, held in the presence of H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri. The meeting laid the groundwork for future collaboration and set the direction for a unified roadmap to promote sustainability within the fashion industry. The Sustainable Impact Challenge 2025 stands as a testament to Majra's unwavering commitment towards establishing a thriving ecosystem that encourages and supports CSR initiatives in line with the UAE's strategic development goals.


Al-Ahram Weekly
25-02-2025
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Palestinians struggle to restart their lives in the ruins of Gaza - War on Gaza
When night falls over northern Gaza, much of the cityscape of collapsed buildings and piled wreckage turns pitch black. Living inside the ruins of their home, Rawia Tambora's young sons get afraid of the dark, so she turns on a flashlight and her phone's light to comfort them, for as long as the batteries last. Displaced for most of the 16-month-long war, Tambora is back in her house. But it is still a frustrating shell of a life, she says: There is no running water, electricity, heat or services, and no tools to clear the rubble around them. Nearly 600,000 Palestinians flooded back into northern Gaza under the now month-old ceasefire in Gaza, according to the United Nations. After initial relief and joy at being back at their homes — even if damaged or destroyed — they now face the reality of living in the wreckage for the foreseeable future. 'Some people wish the war had never ended, feeling it would have been better to be killed,' Tambora said. 'I don't know what we'll do long-term. My brain stopped planning for the future.' The six-week ceasefire is due to end on Saturday, and it's uncertain what will happen next. There are efforts to extend the calm as the next phase is negotiated. If fighting erupts again, those who returned to the north could find themselves once again in the middle of it. A massive rebuilding job has no way to start A report last week by the World Bank, U.N. and European Union estimated it will cost some $53 billion to rebuild Gaza after entire neighbourhoods were decimated by Israel's bombardment and offensives against the Palestinian territory. At the moment, there is almost no capacity or funding to start significant rebuilding. A priority is making Gaza immediately livable. Earlier in February, Hamas threatened to hold up captive releases unless more tents and temporary shelters were allowed into Gaza. It then reversed and accelerated captive releases after Israel agreed to let in mobile homes and construction equipment. Humanitarian agencies have stepped up services, setting up free kitchens and water delivery stations, and distributing tents and tarps to hundreds of thousands across Gaza, according to the U.N. President Donald Trump turned up the pressure by calling for the entire population of Gaza to be removed permanently so the U.S. could take over the territory and redevelop it for others. Rejecting the proposal, Palestinians say they want help to rebuild for themselves. Gaza City's municipality started fixing some water lines and clearing rubble from streets, said a spokesperson, Asem Alnabih. But it lacks heavy equipment. Only a few of its 40 bulldozers and five dump trucks still work, he said. Gaza is filled with over 50 million tons of rubble that would take 100 trucks working at full capacity over 15 years to clear away, the U.N. estimates. Families try to get by day by day Tambora's house in the northern town of Beit Lahiya was destroyed by an airstrike early in the war, so she and her family lived in the nearby Indonesian Hospital, where she worked as a nurse. After the ceasefire, they moved back into the only room in her house that was semi-intact. The ceiling is partially collapsed, the walls are cracked; the surviving fridge and sink are useless with no water or electricity. They stack their sheets and blankets in a corner. Tambora said her 12-year-old son lugs heavy containers of water twice a day from distribution stations. They also have to find firewood for cooking. The influx of aid means there is food in the markets, and prices went down, but it remains expensive. With the Indonesian Hospital too damaged to function, Tambora walks an hour each day to work at the Kamal Adwan Hospital. She charges her and her husband's phones using the hospital generator. Many of Tambora's relatives returned to find nothing left of their homes, so they live in tents on or next to the rubble that gets blown away by winter winds or flooded during rains, she said. Asmaa Dwaima and her family returned to Gaza City but had to rent an apartment because their home in the Tel al-Hawa neighbourhood was destroyed. It was only weeks after returning that she went to visit their four-story house, now a pile of flattened and burned wreckage. 'I couldn't come here because I was afraid. I had an image of my house in my mind — its beauty, and warmth. ... I was afraid to face this truth,' the 25-year-old dentist said. 'They don't just destroy stone, they are destroying us and our identity.' Her family had to rebuild the house once before when it was levelled by airstrikes during a round of fighting between Israel and Hamas in 2014, she said. For the time being, they have no means to rebuild now. 'We need to remove the rubble because we want to pull out clothes and some of our belongings,' she said. 'We need heavy equipment … There are no bricks or other construction tools and, if available, it's extremely expensive.' Desperation is growing Tess Ingram, a spokesperson with UNICEF who visited northern Gaza since the ceasefire, said the families she met are 'grieving the lives that they used to live as they begin to rebuild.' Their desperation, she said, "is becoming more intense.' Huda Skaik, a 20-year-old student, shares a room with her three siblings and parents at her grandparents' house in Gaza City. It's an improvement from life in the tent camps of central Gaza where they were displaced for much of the war, she said. There, they had to live among strangers, and rain washed their tent away. At least here they have walls and are with family, she said. Before the war interrupted, Skaik had just started studying English literature at Gaza's Islamic University. She is now enrolled in online classes the university is organizing. But the internet is feeble, and her electricity relies on solar panels that don't always work. 'The worst part is that we're just now grasping that we lost it all,' she said. 'The destruction is massive, but I'm trying to remain positive.' Short link:


Mid East Info
27-01-2025
- Mid East Info
National CSR Fund – MAJRA plants 8,200 mangroves in Jebel Ali Marine Sanctuary - Middle East Business News and Information
In a move to promote environmental responsibility in the UAE and to offset carbon footprint of the 'Impact Retreat' The sapling planting initiative facilitated a count of 82 trees per person, which will offset the 'Impact Retreat' participants' combined carbon footprint until June 2025. UAE, January, 2025: Majra National CSR Fund –planted 8,200 mangrove saplings in Jebel Ali Marine Sanctuary, to offset the carbon footprint generated by its recent 'Impact Retreat', highlighting its commitment towards environmental responsibility in the UAE and community collaboration. The exceptional move, inspired by the World Bank data report stating that a person should plant 164 trees a year to offset their minimum carbon footprint, aims to foster a sense of accountability for the institutions and private sector and promote the adoption of sustainable practices when conducting in-person gatherings, which contribute to supporting the achievement of economic and social development The initiative commenced with the gathering of participants at the Jebel Ali Marine Sanctuary, where they attended an environmental awareness session, exploring the role of mangroves in combating climate change, protecting coastlines and supporting biodiversity. After the session, attendees planted the saplings at the planting site, which served as an important team-building exercise for reinforcing the shared values of sustainability and conservation. They also participated in a team challenge to learn about local marine biodiversity. Majra's Director, Sarah Shaw stated: 'At Majra, we actively strive to fulfil our commitments by implementing proactive measures, to achieve the UAE's vision of promoting environmental responsibility and supporting sustainability. The sapling planting initiative facilitated a count of 82 trees per person, which will offset the 'Impact Retreat' participants' combined carbon footprint until June 2025. The event, while marking a great start to 2025, also inspires the institutions and the private sector to drive more sustainable impact throughout the year and beyond.' Majra's 'Impact Retreat' aimed to increase the private sector to contribute to national priority projects which are developed in cooperation and coordination with government leaders, civil society organizations, and specialists in the field of social responsibility practices, and sustainability in private companies awarded the Impact Seal. This commitment seamlessly aligns with the UAE's environmental, social, economic and governance indicator goals as well as the nation's broader sustainable development strategy.