By Rafiq Vayani
DUBAI: The 13th prestigious cycle of the Arabia CSR Awards will honour sustainability champions at a semi virtual gala to be held on October 6 in Dubai. To be attended by experts who lead impactful corporate social responsibility and sustainability initiatives, the Arabia CSR Awards are a benchmark of excellence in sustainable and positive change management programmes that make a tangible difference to the community and the environment.
Under the patronage of H.E. Eng. Sheikh Salem Bin Sultan Bin Saqr Al Qassimi, Chairman of the Department of Civil Aviation, Ras Al Khaimah, the Awards are presented in 13 categories to cover the gamut of the economy, including: Public Sector Organisations/Departments, Large-sized Enterprises, Medium-sized Enterprises, Small-sized Enterprises, Energy, Financial Services, Social Enterprise, Construction, Hospitality, Healthcare, Best New Business, Partnerships & Collaborations and the edition this year of the Automotive Sector (New).
Regarded as the Green Oscars of CSR & Sustainability in the Middle East, the Arabia CSR Awards is the first-of-its-kind initiative to gain the support of the leadership of Dubai, the UN Global Compact, the United Nations Environment Programme, the League of Arab States, and a wide host of private sector entities. The award uses globally recognised standards, frameworks, agendas and best practices along with a mix of local priorities, to develop a set of criteria that is unlike any other and has earned the reputation of being ‘the Arab Sustainability Benchmark’.
Habiba Al Mar’ashi, Founder, President and CEO of Arabia CSR Network, said: “The 13th cycle of the Arabia CSR Awards comes at the most opportune time, when the value of corporate social responsibility, as a tangible function of organisational purpose, is more relevant than ever before. The COVID-19 outbreak and the challenges that followed have underlined the need for closer collaboration among organisations in the public and private sector to promote social responsibility best practices.
“From environmental sustainability to human wellness and community welfare, there is a stronger need for concerted action, and we are honoured to highlight the exceptional work done in the region in promoting CSR and Sustainability. The work they do is their lasting legacy and we are honoured to recognise them for their commitment to the community.”
She added: “While the Arabia CSR Awards have continuously focused on its mission to ‘educate, inspire and celebrate’ the leaders of CSR and sustainability in the region, we see a larger role for this honour. The awards shine the spotlight on the outstanding work that comes from the region, which in turn, motivates our younger generation to take social responsibility initiatives seriously.
“The experiences shared by the winners and participants also serve as a benchmark and learning tool to create a sustainable value framework. This will further highlight the role that the UAE plays in working towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030 and how the nation fosters the spirit of social responsibility among all.”
Over the years, the Arabia CSR Awards have gained wide acclaim in the region and beyond, and have gained credibility for the independent evaluation against stringent criteria by an international jury of experts. They also provide detailed and critical feedback to the applicants to improve their CSR practices as well as offer a self-assessment mechanism to understand gaps and strengths.
McDonald’s and Tristar are Silver Sponsors of the 13th Arabia CSR Awards, demonstrating their commitment towards sustainability and corporate social responsibility. Arabia CSR Network has also announced sponsorship opportunities for media houses, corporates and other entities to be part of an event that underpins how concerted and collective action is an imperative to drive socio-economic growth in the new reality. Sponsors will gain a host of benefits including brand outreach, thought leadership and participation at the event. For sponsorship opportunities, please contact: Dimple Bhatia on 04- 3493488 or 04-3448622 and [email protected].
The 2020 cycle of the awards was launched in January, and even amid lockdowns, the awards secretariat engaged with applicants and potential entrants. A remotely conducted Awards Clinic, held in April, offered extensive guidance and walk-through demos to assist applicants for the demanding criteria and other requirements.
Entries came in from across the GCC, Levant and North Africa representing 34 business sectors. An independent panel of experts from the region and abroad evaluated the entries in August with the winners to be announced at the gala event. The awards are audited by DNV.GL, and the event will be carbon-neutral, managed by Farnek.
