Latest news with #ImpactRetreat
Web Release
30-04-2025
- Business
- Web Release
MAJRA – National CSR Fund reviews key community initiatives and approves new frameworks to enhance corporate social responsibility in UAE
By Editor_wr Last updated Apr 30, 2025 MAJRA – National CSR Fund held its second Policies and Strategies Committee meeting for 2025 to explore ways to advance the UAE's sustainable development goals through enhanced cross-sector collaboration and the rollout of new tools and frameworks to drive national impact. The meeting was Chaired by H.E Mubarak Al Nakhi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, and Head of the Policies and Strategies Committee, and attended by H.E. Hanan Ahli, Managing Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, and the Deputy of the Policies and Strategies Committee; Bedour Saeed Al Raqbani, Board Member of American University of Sharjah; H.E. Abdulaziz Al Jaziri, Deputy CEO of Dubai Future Foundation and Sarah Shaw, CEO of Majra – National CSR Fund. The meeting reviewed key ongoing initiatives and approved several tools designed to streamline sustainable project qualification and verification processes. It also placed a major emphasis on increasing private sector engagement in the fund's initiatives, validating project assessment mechanisms, and introducing new initiatives such as the Impact Index. It also addressed the 'Transformational Projects Framework', which is being developed by the Emirati committees for social responsibility and sustainability, chaired by the chambers of commerce and industry in each emirate. The strategy formulated as a part of the Impact Retreat held in November 2024 was also reviewed, and strategic initiatives aligning with the UAE's vision to enhance social sustainability, were launched. H.E. Mubarak Al Nakhi said, 'Inspired by the insightful vision of the UAE's wise leadership and in accordance with their forward-looking directives, we are creating a roadmap to build a more sustainable and prosperous future by strengthening the private sector's corporate social responsibility framework. We also hope to enhance sustainable impact and expand the participation of private sector institutions in light of global changes and best international practices, further building upon the achievements of Majra's key initiatives like 'Impact Seal', 'MAJRA Council', and 'Impact Index'. Sarah Shaw, CEO of Majra, said: 'Majra is responsible for providing the necessary frameworks and enablers to enhance the contribution of the private sector in shaping the UAE's sustainable future, while embedding social responsibility and sustainable impact as cornerstones of the institutional work system. Furthermore, we remain steadfast in our efforts to establish a robust foundation for collaborations, and sustainable impact, by supporting the approved projects and activating the reference frameworks specified under the impact index.' The committee further reviewed updates to the Sustainable Impact Challenge, including the integration of the Majra Entity Portal and the launch of new award categories within the challenge. These updates aim at expanding outreach and encouraging broader participation from businesses and organisations across the UAE in this challenge, which was launched during the fourth edition of Investopia 2025. The meeting also reviewed the roadmap of the Impact Index, a national benchmarking tool designed to measure CSR, ESG, and sustainability performance in the private sector. It also facilitates data collection, in line with national and international frameworks, such as the SDGs, Dow Jones Sustainability Index, and MSCI. Currently, Majra is preparing the first report, set to be released in early 2026, in collaboration with the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, as well as other international organisations. At the end of the meeting, committee members reaffirmed their commitment to advancing Majra's strategic vision by endorsing mechanisms that promote transparency, inclusivity, and long-term impact across all initiatives and programmes. Comments are closed.
Hi Dubai
30-04-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
Majra Committee Advances UAE Sustainability Goals with New Tools and Frameworks
Majra – National CSR Fund's Policies and Strategies Committee convened its second meeting of 2025 to fast-track the UAE's sustainable development agenda, focusing on stronger cross-sector collaboration and enhanced private sector participation. 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
Mid East Info
20-03-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
MAJRA hosts leading private sector entities, presents key sustainable impact projects - Middle East Business News and Information
MAJRA – National CSR Fund, the UAE's leading federal authority on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability in the private sector, hosted key private sector companies, members of Board of Trustees, and its Impact Seal Cycle 1 winners to present sustainable impact projects. The event, which featured high-level executives and decision-makers, focused on attracting contributions towards these high-impact projects, as well as accelerating private sector engagement in the UAE's sustainability agenda. This objective will be achieved by connecting investors to initiatives stemming from the Fund's Impact Retreat held in November last year. The key projects included initiatives that stood out at the Investopia 2025 summit, which emphasised sustainability and CSR policies in line with the UAE's vision to advance social impact and corporate responsibility in charitable and humanitarian works. The event also featured verified sustainable impact projects, which are a carefully curated selection of high-impact sustainability projects that have undergone rigorous assessment to ensure alignment with national priorities and investment viability. Other projects from the 'Future100,' a joint initiative between the Ministry of Economy, Government Development and the Future Office, and Majra to recognise and support 100 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) driving sustainability and future economic competitiveness, were also present at the gathering. H.E. Abdullah Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Minister of Economy and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Majra , emphasised the importance of private sector involvement in national efforts to enhance sustainability, stating, 'As the UAE strives to achieve its sustainable development goals, the private sector has a pivotal role in supporting and implementing transformative projects.' H.E. further noted that the gathering marks a significant step towards achieving the national goal of incorporating sustainability principles into the UAE's business sector. The gathering does not only offer a platform to shed light on these impactful projects but also contributes to building partnerships that will drive long-term value for investors and leave a lasting positive impact on the society in the UAE.' The event focused on Majra's 'Impact Retreat' that was held in November 2024, during which business leaders and policymakers discussed the private sector's role in advancing national sustainability goals. The next phase of the initiative requires implementing these ideas through in-kind and financial support and strategic partnerships to implement projects of national priority verified by key relevant ministries and transform them into practical solutions that will have a lasting social and environmental impact. Notably, collaborations were established with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health and Protection, Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, and Ministry of Culture. Sarah Shaw, Chief Executive Officer of Majra , said: 'At Majra, we are not just encouraging sustainable thinking – we are creating tangible opportunities for the private sector to make impactful change in society. In line with national and international ESG frameworks, we are empowering companies to make quantifiable impact by matching investors with high-potential government-verified sustainability projects. The event served as a dynamic platform for collaboration, innovation and investment in developmental projects while developing sustainability policies and initiatives, with the participation from our platinum, gold and silver Impact Seal Cycle 1 winners – companies that have proven excellence in driving CSR & sustainability, as well as prominent private sector investors.' Majra continues its advocacy of corporate social responsibility by providing businesses with verified and high-impact opportunities to contribute in a more meaningful way. The gathering was a significant step towards this vision, transforming commitments into actionable contributions that benefit the UAE's economic and environmental progress.
Zawya
20-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
MAJRA hosts leading private sector entities, presents key sustainable impact projects
MAJRA – National CSR Fund, the UAE's leading federal authority on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability in the private sector, hosted key private sector companies, members of Board of Trustees, and its Impact Seal Cycle 1 winners to present sustainable impact projects. The event, which featured high-level executives and decision-makers, focused on attracting contributions towards these high-impact projects, as well as accelerating private sector engagement in the UAE's sustainability agenda. This objective will be achieved by connecting investors to initiatives stemming from the Fund's Impact Retreat held in November last year. The key projects included initiatives that stood out at the Investopia 2025 summit, which emphasised sustainability and CSR policies in line with the UAE's vision to advance social impact and corporate responsibility in charitable and humanitarian works. The event also featured verified sustainable impact projects, which are a carefully curated selection of high-impact sustainability projects that have undergone rigorous assessment to ensure alignment with national priorities and investment viability. Other projects from the 'Future100,' a joint initiative between the Ministry of Economy, Government Development and the Future Office, and Majra to recognise and support 100 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) driving sustainability and future economic competitiveness, were also present at the gathering. H.E. Abdullah Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Minister of Economy and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Majra, emphasised the importance of private sector involvement in national efforts to enhance sustainability, stating, 'As the UAE strives to achieve its sustainable development goals, the private sector has a pivotal role in supporting and implementing transformative projects.' H.E. further noted that the gathering marks a significant step towards achieving the national goal of incorporating sustainability principles into the UAE's business sector. The gathering does not only offer a platform to shed light on these impactful projects but also contributes to building partnerships that will drive long-term value for investors and leave a lasting positive impact on the society in the UAE.' The event focused on Majra's 'Impact Retreat' that was held in November 2024, during which business leaders and policymakers discussed the private sector's role in advancing national sustainability goals. The next phase of the initiative requires implementing these ideas through in-kind and financial support and strategic partnerships to implement projects of national priority verified by key relevant ministries and transform them into practical solutions that will have a lasting social and environmental impact. Notably, collaborations were established with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health and Protection, Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, and Ministry of Culture. Sarah Shaw, Chief Executive Officer of Majra, said: 'At Majra, we are not just encouraging sustainable thinking - we are creating tangible opportunities for the private sector to make impactful change in society. In line with national and international ESG frameworks, we are empowering companies to make quantifiable impact by matching investors with high-potential government-verified sustainability projects. The event served as a dynamic platform for collaboration, innovation and investment in developmental projects while developing sustainability policies and initiatives, with the participation from our platinum, gold and silver Impact Seal Cycle 1 winners - companies that have proven excellence in driving CSR & sustainability, as well as prominent private sector investors.' Majra continues its advocacy of corporate social responsibility by providing businesses with verified and high-impact opportunities to contribute in a more meaningful way. The gathering was a significant step towards this vision, transforming commitments into actionable contributions that benefit the UAE's economic and environmental progress.
Zawya
05-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Board of Trustees at MAJRA reviews previous year's achievements and outcomes during its first meeting in 2025
Dubai: MAJRA - National CSR Fund convened its first Board of Trustees meeting for 2025, chaired by H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Board, to discuss and review the developments and plans implemented during the past year. The meeting outlined strategic objectives, targets, and new working mechanisms for 2025. Additionally, it highlighted the key initiatives and decisions implemented across all areas of operations aimed at strengthening corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the UAE. H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri said: 'The UAE is committed to fostering a sustainable future through collaboration, innovation, and technological advancement. Under the visionary guidance of our wise leadership, the country continues to make significant strides towards a prosperous future while also supporting CSR practices and fostering private sector participation and contributions. The first meeting of the Board of Trustees this year marks an important step in our collective journey, reinforcing our dedication to achieving national objectives and fostering partnerships between the public and private sectors, in accordance with the 'We the UAE 2031' vision.' The meeting witnessed the presence of H.E. Hessa Bint Essa Buhumaid, Director-General of the Community Development Authority (CDA), and His Excellency Abdullah Al Saleh, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Other notable participants were – H.E. Mubarak Al Nakhi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture; Aisha Ahmed Yousuf, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Community Empowerment; H.E. Hanan Ahli, Managing Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre; H.E. Osama Amir Fadhel, Assistant Undersecretary of Industry Accelerators at the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology. Additionally, H.E. Salama Al Ameemi, Director General of the Family Care Authority; H.E. Abdulaziz Khalid Al Jaziri, Deputy CEO and Chief Operation Officer at Dubai Future Foundation; Mariam Al Qassab, Director of the CEO Office at Sharjah Book Authority; Ms. Bedour Al Raqbani, Board Member of American University of Sharjah, Dr. Mariam Al Suwaidi and Sarah Shaw, Executive Director of MAJRA - National CSR Fund, also attended the meeting. The session discussed the proposed plans and initiatives that support the Fund's objectives while meeting ESG standards and provided a comprehensive review of the Fund's achievements in 2024, highlighting key action plans, initiatives, and phases that drove positive outcomes at institutional, community, and national levels. Among the topics discussed were the Fund's strategic partnerships and private sector initiatives, as well as decisions related to the second edition of 'Impact Seal' and the evaluation mechanisms. Additionally, the meeting reviewed the outputs of the previous year's Impact Retreat, the Youth Portfolio, and the Sustainable Impact Committees. Sarah Shaw, Executive Director of MAJRA, emphasised the Fund's pivotal role in advancing societal progress, particularly through youth-driven initiatives that build the younger generation's skills and foster their increased participation in CSR projects. She also said that Majra seeks to develop programs and events that urge private sector companies to formulate strategies and initiatives benefitting society and the country. She added: 'This meeting is a key milestone in our strategy to support national efforts and promote social responsibility within private sector companies. By reviewing our achievements and aligning future initiatives with national priorities, we aim to launch more innovative programs and adopt new mechanisms to promote sustainable development, while also enhancing private sector engagement and strengthening the Fund's contributions to societal progress. Through these efforts, we hope to further cement the Fund's role as a federal body that supports sustainable projects and delivers tangible social impact.' At the conclusion of the meeting, board members reaffirmed their commitment to MAJRA's strategic plans and goals, recognising the importance of channelling private sector contributions towards projects that align with national priorities. They also underscored the significance of promoting CSR initiatives and establishing the UAE's leadership in social responsibility. For further information, please contact: Orient Planet Group (OPG) Email: media@ Website:
