DIFC to catalyse the global shift towards a low-carbon economy

Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the leading global financial centre in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region, on Wednesday welcomed more than 3,000 industry leaders, government officials, and sustainability experts to the 2nd Future Sustainability Forum 2024.

The event convened global experts to ideate, collaborate and inspire with insights, to accelerate the global transition towards a low-carbon, climate-resilient future, and showcase the UAE’s sustainable practices, specifically in the financial environment.

The first day of the Future Sustainability Forum showcased thought leadership in panel discussions on topics including facilitation and development of green financing mechanisms, enhancing stakeholder engagement for sustainable development, decarbonisation of the energy sector, prominence of building a circular economy, ESG reporting, and a roadmap to a sustainable 2045.

The second day of the event will see industry-focused discussions surrounding innovation, digital transformation and smart cities.

The event attracted 100 global speakers from 50-plus countries, highlighting the importance of the UAE’s sustainability initiatives.

Notable speakers at the event included Eng. Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, Group Chief Executive Officer, Emirates Steel Arkan (EMSTEEL), Eng. Yousif Al Ali, Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Water & Electricity (EtihadWE), Capt. Saif Al Mheiri, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Sustainability Officer, Abu Dhabi Maritime and AD Ports Group, Yasser Zaghloul, Group Chief Executive Officer, National Marine Dredging Company (NMDC), Dr Manfred Braunl, Chief Executive Officer, Porsche Middle East and Africa FZE, Dr Bernd Van Linder, Chief Executive Officer, Commercial Bank of Dubai, Vijay Bains, Chief Sustainability Officer and Group Head of ESG, Emirates NBD, Oliver Philips, Regional Head of Sustainable Finance, Middle East and Africa, Barclays, and Jane Goodland, Group Head of Sustainability, London Stock Exchange Group.

Among the attendees were over 500 global investors, and more than 20 per cent of these investors represent funds with portfolios of $100 million and above.

This robust investor presence emphasised a strong focus on climate technology and renewable energy, underscoring the forum’s role in driving sustainable investment and actionable insights in these critical areas.

Alya AlZarouni, Chief Operating Officer at DIFC Authority, commented, “DIFC is committed to establishing synergies worldwide with governments, organisations, industries, investors and more, to drive the transition to Net Zero with sustainable finance mechanisms.”

“The Future Sustainability Forum enables this transition through collaboration and knowledge sharing that inspires learning. Sustainability requires innovation, considerable finance, education, reporting, and capacity building. At DIFC, we are poised to reinforce our leadership in contributing to the UAE’s climate action strategies and economic development by driving the future of finance.”

Event highlights UAE’s sustainable practices in decarbonisation and comprehensive financial mechanisms in the roadmap to achieving Net Zero goals by 2050