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The inaugural Zayed Sustainability Prize Forum highlighted the need for inclusive, unified climate action to build resilient communities.
Themed “Raising Ambition, Advancing Inclusion,” the forum highlighted the need for multi-stakeholder collaboration to deliver impactful solutions for developing countries.
The Zayed Sustainability Prize, the UAE’s groundbreaking global sustainability and humanitarian award, welcomes government dignitaries, business leaders, youth, international media and environmental activists to the inaugural edition of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2023. Yedd Sustainability Awards Forum.
impactful positive change
Speakers demonstrated the myriad social, economic and environmental benefits of the initiative, bringing impactful positive change to disadvantaged communities often located in the global South.
In a fireside chat with CNN anchor and reporter Eleni Giokis, American environmental activist and film actor Adrian Grenier speaks passionately about his deep commitment to using impact investing to create positive change in the world.
Grenier said he is fundamentally an environmentalist, and that all people must be aware of their intrinsic connection to the land and give back to nature.
“Learning my lines was the easy part of being an actor,” he said. “The harder part is finding a connection with the planet and finding balance. I’m learning every day and gaining new insight into those who have the capacity and determination to face growing environmental challenges.”
respect nature
Grenier added: “At some point in our evolution, we separated ourselves from nature and believed we could control it. My process is to listen to the wisdom of nature’s design and its ability to create stability and resilience. We must respect And design in a way that respects nature, rather than imposing our will.”
Grenier said he was looking forward to participating in COP28 in the UAE. “It is imperative that world leaders come together and pull together to find the North Star of a carbon-neutral environment. What excites me is seeing ideas come to life. I hope those who are making a difference can be part of the conversation.”
In the first panel discussion of the forum, entitled ‘Shaping Sustainable Communities’, speakers shared examples and experiences from their organizations on how deploying sustainable solutions in various sectors can have a lasting impact. They discussed the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration and unified action to ensure that no one is left behind as we enter a decade of action to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Differing perspectives were shared by Satya Tripathi, Secretary General, Global Alliance for Earth; Tala Al Ramahi, Director, Reaching the Last Mile; and Kristina Skierka, CEO, Power for All. The panel was moderated by Reuters reporter Jim Stenman.
empower local communities
Satya Tripathi on the need to empower local communities through sustainable agriculture: “A billion people work in agriculture. The average family size is four, which is 50% of the world’s population. We fix our food systems; The climate issue. We need to go where the people are – their lives will change – and as it changes, it will change and change the world.”
The second panel, entitled “Bridging the Gap”, discussed the need for traditional financial institutions to prioritize more sustainable, climate-friendly and socially impactful portfolios to keep pace with the 2030 Sustainable Development and 2050 Climate Agendas Target.
The discussion was moderated by Eleni Giokis and welcomed Swapna Gupta, Partner, Avaana Capital; Jerome Ponrouch, Head of Corporate Engagement and Sustainability, CIB Middle East & Africa, BNP Paribas.
young people
The Forum’s Youth Voices session highlighted opportunities for young people to innovate for the future, hearing from the first two Global High School winners: Tasmania’s Huon Valley Deputy Mayor Toby Thorpe and Stanford University student Jake Lynn Wan Buya.
Thorpe said the award inspired him to take positive action. “Sustainability is an opportunity, and our generation has the opportunity to change the world through solutions that make a difference. The importance of empathy is underestimated. When we work together, we progress unless we build real Contact, otherwise we cannot make an impact.”
Toby said the most important takeaway for him from ADSW 2023 was the comment by His Excellency Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Director-General of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, that “the next step is never ending”.
“Next week, I will be presenting my first climate bill at Huon Valley Council to ensure my local community is at the forefront of leading sustainable solutions and that sustainability is at the heart of our council’s business. I hope to inspire future generations in All of Tasmania and all of Australia draw on the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.”
transformative education
Jackline Wambua said the award taught her about transformative education and the power of listening.
“This award has been key to my educational journey. It has taught me the power of transformative education. We have been on this planet for too long, so using this time we better create change for the next generation. It has taught The importance of my relationships, and the importance of putting people at the center of every solution we create.” She urged all to embrace the spirit of “Sawa Bona”—“I see you, I value you, I am in Here” – so we can turn great ideas into practical solutions.
The forum’s final panel, titled “Making Impact Through Innovation,” discussed how organizations can use technological advancements and enhanced delivery models to improve access to essential services such as healthcare, water and energy, even in remote and The same goes for vulnerable communities.
Reuters’ Jim Stenman moderated the discussion with Nicole Iseppi, managing director of global energy innovation at the Bezos Earth Fund; David Pong, CEO of Wateroam; and Guillermo Pepe, founder and CEO of Mamotest.
Nicole Iseppi commented on the key role of collaboration in supporting the deployment of innovation in developing countries: “We came together to think about how to change business models and gain more execution through innovation, especially through innovation to solve problems in developing countries, Metro Technologies such as grids and distributed renewable energy, and how we can reduce the cost of renewable energy in Africa so that they can grow.” — trade arab news agency
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