The 16th Arabia Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Awards recently concluded with a ceremony recognizing 41 outstanding ‘Sustainability Champions’ from across the Arab world. This prestigious event, often referred to as the ‘Green Oscars of the Middle East,’ took place at the Anantara Downtown Hotel in Dubai, under the patronage of H.H. Eng. Sheikh Salem Bin Sultan Bin Saqr Al-Qasimi, Chairman of the Ras Al Khaimah Civil Aviation Department and Member of the Executive Council of the Government of Ras Al Khaimah.
Launched in 2008, the Arabia CSR Awards, a home-grown accolade of the Arab region, has gained international recognition and credibility. The awards follow a rigorous evaluation process aligned with global benchmarks, including the 10 Principles of the UN Global Compact, Global Investors for Sustainable Development (GISD) Alliance, GRI Standards framework, EFQM business excellence model, and the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. External verification is provided by DNV, a globally recognized business assurance provider.
The 16th Arabia CSR Awards ceremony was generously sponsored by esteemed organizations such as Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company (GPIC), Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO), China State Construction Engineering Corporation Middle East, and McDonald’s UAE. The event was recognized as a carbon-neutral initiative thanks to FARNEK, effectively offsetting any emissions arising from transportation or related activities.
Habiba Al Mar’ashi, Founder, President, and CEO of the Arabia CSR Network, emphasized the awards’ role in enriching education, fostering best practices, and showcasing champions and role models within the Arab world. She highlighted the importance of embracing the UN Sustainable Development Goals in the UAE’s Year of Sustainability in 2023 and ahead of COP28 next month.
H.H. Eng. Sheikh Salem Bin Sultan Bin Saqr Al Qasimi expressed his commitment to sustainability initiatives, both regionally and globally, during his address at the event. He praised the Arabia CSR Network’s dedication to elevating sustainability in the Arab region and its potential to create a sustainable and environmentally conscious global economy.
The Arabia CSR Awards were introduced 16 years ago to promote social responsibility, ethical business practices, and transparency in the Arab world. Over the years, the awards program has recognized and celebrated organizations that have demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication to CSR and sustainability.
Since its inception, the Arabia CSR Awards have received over 1,585 registrations from more than 1,340 organizations across 14 Arab countries and spanning more than 44 sectors. The latest cycle of awards attracted applications from various industries, reaffirming the region’s commitment to sustainability and corporate responsibility. An independent jury panel meticulously evaluated the entries, and the results underwent external validation by a reputed third-party entity. The jury’s assessments and feedback provided valuable insights to the applicants, helping them refine their sustainability strategies and practices.
The Arabia CSR Awards have consistently played a pivotal role in enhancing organizations’ knowledge and proficiency in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices. Many repeat winners attribute their success to the rigorous assessment process and constructive recommendations provided by the awards program.
The 16th Arabia CSR Awards stand as a testament to the region’s dedication to sustainability and its efforts to recognize and celebrate those organizations making significant contributions to CSR and sustainability in the Arab world.
