Sustainability Leaders Summit 2023
Overview
Forbes Middle East Sustainability Leaders Summit 2023 chaired by His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade for the UAE.
We are excited to announce the Forbes Middle East Sustainability Leaders’ Summit 2023, which will be held under the theme “Driving Economic Growth For A Greener World.” This prestigious event will take place on November 2-3, 2023, in Abu Dhabi and will be chaired by His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade for the UAE.
This critical summit will gather international leaders in sustainability, technology, finance, and policy and will serve as an invaluable platform for discussing, innovating, and driving global strategies toward sustainable living. Taking place before COP28, it will set the tone for international and regional dialogue and decision-making.
Speakers
moderator
H.E. Dr. Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi
UAE Minister Of State For Foreign Trade
moderator
H.E. Ambassador Majid Al-Suwaidi
Director General & Special Representative
The UAE COP28 Presidency
moderator
Eng. Yasser Zaghloul
Group Chief Executive Officer
NMDC Group
moderator
Tariq Chauhan
Group Chief Executive Officer
EFS Facilities Services Group
moderator
Ali Sajwani
Managing Director, Operations & Technology
DAMAC Properties
moderator
Said Zater
Group Chief Executive Officer
Contact Financial Holding
moderator
HE. Engineer Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi
Group CEO
Emirates Steel Arkan (Emsteel)
moderator
Abdulnasser Ibrahim Saif Bin Kalban
CEO
Emirates Global Aluminium
moderator
Captain Ibrahim Koshy
Chief Executive Officer
Saudia Group
moderator
Dr. Adnan Chilwan
Group Chief Executive Officer
Dubai Islamic Bank
moderator
Musabbeh Al Kaabi
Executive Director, Low Carbon Solutions & International Growth
ADNOC Group
moderator
Dr. Steven Griffiths
Senior Vice President, Research and Development , Professor of Practice
Khalifa University of Science and Technology
moderator
Dr. Besart Kadia
Deputy Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs
Albania
moderator
Sandeep Walia
COO for the Middle East, Egypt & Türkiye
Marriott International
moderator
Ibrahim N. Al Zu’bi
Chief Sustainability Officer
ADNOC
moderator
Nadia Zaal
Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Zaya & CEO
Al Barari Group
moderator
Maher Al Kaabi
Advisor to Group Chairman & Independent Board Member, Al Serkal Group of Companies, Executive Committee Member, UAE International Investors Council
moderator
Amir Golbarg
Senior Vice President Operations – Middle East& Africa
Minor Hotels
moderator
Yasar Jarrar
Strategy Advisor
moderator
Faraz Khan MBE
CEO & Partner, Founder and Director
Spectreco, Seed Ventures
moderator
Martin Reynolds
CEO
Zero Carbon Ventures
moderator
Eng. Ahmed Salem Al Dhaheri
CEO
NMDC Energy (formerly NPCC)
moderator
Talal Kensara
Chief Strategic Management Officer
Diriyah Gate Company Limited (DGCL)
moderator
Mohamed Amer
CEO El Gouna
Orascom Development
moderator
Nameer Khan
Chairman, Mena Fintech Association & Founder, FILS
Mena Fintech Association, FILS
moderator
Yousif Bin Saeed Al Lootah
CEO
Lootah Biofuels
moderator
Helmut von Struve
CEO
Siemens Middle East
moderator
Giuseppe Mucci
CEO and Founder
Bioscience Institute and Clinic
moderator
Ramie Murray
CEO
Dibba Bay Oysters
moderator
Gordon Gill FAIA
Founding Partner
Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture
moderator
Dr. Nashwa Al Ruwaini
Founder and CEO
Pyramedia Group
moderator
Jonathan Brown
Chief Portfolio Officer
Miral Group
moderator
Wael Ismail
Vice President for Corporate Affairs, Africa, Middle East, South Asia
PepsiCo
moderator
Laila Mostafa Abdullatif
Director General
Emirates Nature–WWF
moderator
Arnoud van den Berg
CEO
Al Dahra Group
moderator
Salama Mohamed
Founder
Peacefull
moderator
Charles Zha
Director
International Hydrogen Center
moderator
Chris Chow
Co-Founder of TCC Capital
Moderator
moderator
Mariam Farag
Founder & Author, Humanizing Brands
Moderator
moderator
Amnah Ajmal
Executive Vice President, EEMEA, Mastercard
Moderator
moderator
Jennifer Sault
Founder and Managing Director, Thrift for Good
Moderator
moderator
NouralDin AlYousuf
TV Personality / Actor
Moderator
moderator
Sarah El Battouty
Global Ambassador UN Climate Change High-Level Champions & Founder, ECOnsult Architecture
Moderator
moderator
Sally Mousa
Senior Presenter
Forbes Middle East
moderator
Ramia Farrage
Senior Presenter / Producer
Forbes Middle East
Content Creators and Media
Moderator
Rene Borisova
Digital Creator
Moderator
Tom Grond
Adventure Traveler & Blogger
Earth Revival and Healing in Harmony
9:00 – 10:00 am
Nutrient-Packed Breakfast Bites: Energising Sustainability Champions – Powered by EFG Holding
A delightful morning spread with sustainable, nutrient-rich bites that fuel your body and inspire your sustainability journey while engaging with fellow champions.
10:00 – 10:20 am
Opening Insights: Storytelling
Opening video, followed by Storytellers and a photo with H.E. Dr. Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister Of State on stage.
10:20 – 10:30 am
Keynote Address
H.E. Dr. Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister Of State for Foreign Trade
10:30 – 10:45 am
Welcome Address
Eng. Yasser Zaghloul, Group Chief Executive Officer, NMDC Group
10:45 – 10:55 am
Keynote Address
H.E. Ambassador Majid Al Suwaidi, Director-General, COP28
10:55 – 11:10 am
Interactive QnA
H.E. Dr. Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister Of State for Foreign Trade
11:10 – 11:25 am
Fireside Chat: Sustainability in Healthcare
Join in as the expert unravels the latest on how sustainable technology breakthroughs are reshaping healthcare delivery and its positive impact in delivering enhanced patient-centric experiences.
Sherif Beshara, Group Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed & Obaid Almulla Group and American Hospital Dubai
Moderator: Sally Mousa , Senior Presenter, Forbes Middle East
11:25 – 11:40 am
Fireside Chat: Revolutionizing Energy Transformation for a Green Future
Witness an insightful conversation on accelerated decarbonization to achieve net zero targets by 2045, as well as the pivotal role of advanced technologies, and impactful alliances in setting bold targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Musabbeh Al Kaabi, Executive Director, Low Carbon Solutions & International Growth, ADNOC Group
Moderator: Ramia Farrage, Senior Presenter and Producer, Forbes Middle East
11:40 – 12:10 pm
Panel: Achieving Excellence and Sustainable Development
Access deep-thought insights from conscious and influential business leaders, on how the journey to excellence has been a catalyst in aligning with the SDGs for a better world.
H.E. Eng. Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, Group Chief Executive Officer, Emirates Steel Arkan
Eng. Yasser Zaghloul, Group Chief Executive Officer, NMDC Group
Abdulnasser Ibrahim Saif Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer, Emirates Global Aluminium
Helmut von Struve, Chief Executive Officer, Siemens Middle East
Moderator: Dr. Steven Griffiths, Senior Vice President, Research and Development, Professor of Practice, Khalifa University of Science and Technology
12:10 – 12:35 pm
Panel: Carbon Neutrality – Pioneering Strategies for a Net-Zero Future
Listen in, as the experts discuss groundbreaking approaches that are revolutionizing industries by pioneering pathways to achieve a net-zero carbon future.
Capt. Ibrahim Koshy, Chief Executive Officer, Saudia Group
Ibrahim N. Al Zu’bi, Group Chief Sustainability Officer, ADNOC
Eng. Ahmed Al Dhaheri, Chief Executive Officer, NMDC Energy (formerly NPCC)
Moderator: Sally Mousa, Senior Presenter, Forbes Middle East
12:35 – 1:05 pm
Panel: Responsible Tourism and ESG-Driven Paradises in the Middle East
Understand from the leaders how sustainable tourism models have redefined luxury, empowered supply chains, and amplified community engagement to deliver heightened experiences to travelers.
Talal Kensara, Chief Strategic Management Officer, Diriyah Gate Company Limited
Mohamed Amer, Chief Executive Officer, El Gouna
Amir Golbarg, Senior Vice President Operations – Middle East& Africa, Minor Hotels
Jonathan Brown, Chief Portfolio Officer, Miral
Moderator: Ibrahim N. Al Zu’bi, Group Chief Sustainability Officer, ADNOC
1:05 – 1:20 pm
Fireside Chat: Harnessing Innovations for Sustainable and Profitable Growth
Understand from the experts the pivotal role of technology in empowering SDGs within key sectors, and how to navigate for profitable, sustainable, and ethical growth.
Maher Al Kaabi, Advisor to Group Chairman & Independent Board Member, Al Serkal Group of Companies, Executive Committee Member, UAE International Investors Council
Moderator: Mariam Farag, Founder & Author, Humanizing Brands
1:20 – 1:30 pm
Open Mic: Empowering Economic Progress, Financial Inclusion and Environmental Responsibility (Arabic)
Explore how sustainable initiatives are propelling economic development in the Arab region as a catalyst of positive change impacting businesses, communities, the environment, and overall economic growth.
Said Zater, Group Chief Executive Officer, Contact Financial Holding
1:30 – 2:35 pm
Networking Earth-Friendly Lunch – Enabling Sustainable Connections
2:35 – 2:50 pm
Fireside chat: Harmonizing Hospitality and Environmental Wellness
Explore how the hospitality industry is driving sustainability through the integration of renewable energy, localization, and food waste reduction in alignment with Vision 2030.
Sandeep Walia, Chief Operations Officer, Middle East, Egypt & Türkiye, Marriott International
Moderator: Amnah Ajmal, Executive Vice President, EEMEA, Mastercard
2:50 – 3:15 pm
Panel: Inspiring Future Generations – Championing Nature-Positive Agenda
Witness a thought-provoking conversation on nurturing a deep respect for nature right from an academic to corporate level, as we strive to cultivate a generation driven by environmental consciousness and a positive impact on our planet.
Laila Mostafa Abdullatif, Director General, Emirates Nature-WWF
Salama Mohamed, Founder, Peaceful
Sarah El Battouty, Global Ambassador UN Climate Change High-Level Champions & Founder, ECOnsult Architecture
Moderator: Sally Mousa, Senior Presenter, Forbes Middle East
3:15 – 3:30 pm
Panel: The Green Capital Revolution – Sustainable Finance and Impact Investments
Access strategic insights on the financial shift where purpose meets profit while exploring the realm of sustainable finance and impactful investments.
Dr. Adnan Chilwan, Group Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Islamic Bank
Moderator: Nameer Khan, Chairman, Mena Fintech Association & Founder, FILS
3:30 – 3:45 pm
Fireside Chat: Policies for Progress – Regulatory Initiatives for Positive Impact
Discover the powerful potential of positive public-private collaborations, sustainable investments, and workforce development, combined with smart regulations and thoughtful initiatives can pave the way for a more impactful future.
Besart Kadia, Vice Minister, Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania
Moderator: Ramia Farrage, Senior Presenter & Producer, Forbes Middle East
3:45 – 4:30 pm
Open Networking – Forging Powerful Bonds and Impactful Alliances
Innovation, Conservation, and Climate Intelligence
1:00 – 2:00 pm
Networking Earth-Friendly Lunch – Enabling Sustainable Connections
2:10 – 2:25 pm
Fireside Chat: Accelerating Sustainability – Innovations and Partnerships
Understand how collaborative alliances, enabled by innovations can collectively speed up the journey towards a better tomorrow.
Eng. Yasser Zaghloul, Group Chief Executive Officer, NMDC Group
Moderator: Sally Mousa, Senior Presenter, Forbes Middle East
2:25 – 2:35 pm
Open Mic by Gordon Gill, Founding Partner, Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture
2:35 – 2:45 pm
Open Mic by Giuseppe Mucci, CEO and Founder of Bioscience Institute and Clinic
2:45 – 3:00 pm
Fireside chat: The ESG Advantage: Saving Costs and the Planet for a Safer Society
Explore how responsible businesses adopting ESG practices save costs while protecting our environment and the powerful synergy of profitability, sustainability, and social impact, thereby reshaping corporate success.
Tariq Chauhan, Group Chief Executive Officer, EFS Facilities Services Group
Moderator: Ramia Farrage, Senior Presenter and Producer, Forbes Middle East
3:00 – 3:15 pm
Fireside Chat: Climate Smart EcoMetropolis – Intelligent Developments for Intelligent Inhabitants
Deep dive into the conversation on intelligent urban development, where innovations empowered by green tech nurture a smart, climate-conscious community, and see how tomorrow’s cities will redefine urban living.
Nadia Zaal, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Zaya & CEO, Al Barari Group
Moderator: Sally Mousa, Senior Presenter, Forbes Middle East
3:15 – 3:35 pm
Panel: Institutionalising Sustainability to Fast-Tracking Deployment
Access strategic insights on how to accelerate climate action and drive sustainable change swiftly as the experts navigate the pathway to institutionalize sustainability in a dynamic world.
Faraz Khan, Chief Executive Officer & Partner, Spectreco, Founder and Director, SEED Ventures
Martin Reynolds, Chief Executive Officer, Zero Carbon Venture
Dr. Nashwa Al Ruwaini, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Pyramedia Group
Moderator: Ramia Farrage, Senior Presenter and Producer, Forbes Middle East
3:35 – 3:50 pm
Green Tech and China’s Hydrogen Innovation
Join us on a journey through the green frontier as we unravel the Hydrogen Technological Revolution and discover how green technology is reshaping our world and steering us toward a more sustainable tomorrow.
Charles Zha, International Director, Daxing Hydrogen Industrial Park
Moderator: Chris Chow, Co-Founder, TCC Capital
3:50 – 4:05 pm
Fireside Chat: Climate Action Alliances – Public, Private, and Philanthropic Partnerships
Understand from the expert how uniting public entities, private enterprises, and philanthropic foundations propels climate action towards a resilient future and greener planet.
Dr. Yasar Jarrar, Author, Strategy Advisor, Member – Board of Trustees, Dubai Future Academy
Moderator: Sarah El Battouty, Global Ambassador UN Climate Change High-Level Champions & Founder, ECOnsult Architecture
4:05 – 4:25 pm
Panel: From Vow to Victory: Transforming Commitments into Meaningful Change
Witness inspiring conversations from the changemakers that have bridged the gap between words and deeds, diving deep into how we can manifest true change by upcycling, conserving resources, and championing sustainable products.
Arnoud van den Berg, Chief Executive Officer, Al Dahra Group
Ramie Murray, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Dibba Bay Oysters
Moderator: Jennifer Sault, Founder and Managing Director, Thrift for Good
4:25 – 4:30 pm
Closing Address by Ramia Farrage, Senior Presenter & Producer, Forbes Middle East
4:30 – 5:30 pm
Open Networking – Forging Powerful Bonds and Impactful Alliances
5:30 – 6:30 pm
Sustainable Fashion Show
7:00 – 8:00 pm
Recognition Ceremony
Chair of the Sustainability Summit, Dr. Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister Of State for Foreign Trade will hand out awards to recognize our Sustainability Leaders 2023.
8:00 pm onwards
Explore the Nutritious Oasis Healthy Dining
Sustainable Fashion Show
Experience fashion with a conscience at the Forbes Middle East Sustainability Leaders’ Summit 2023 with our Sustainable Fashion Show.
The show is a visual testament to the future of fashion, where elegance meets eco-consciousness. Designers from all over the world will showcase creations that blend aesthetics with sustainability, proving that fashion can be both glamorous, accessible and environmentally responsible.
Register now for a chance to showcase your work at the Forbes Middle East Sustainable Fashion Show.
Apply to Attend the Forbes Middle East Sustainability Leaders Summit
Forbes Middle East Sustainability Leaders Summit Attendee (In-Person)
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Hotel Booking
Welcome to Le Méridien Abu Dhabi
Situated in the heart of Abu Dhabi and framed by lushly landscaped gardens, Le Méridien Abu Dhabi is set against the sparkling high-rises of the city and the indigo waters of the Arabian Gulf. It is the largest of the United Arab Emirates and Abu Dhabi features spectacular urbanization coupled with the charm of an ancient culture.
Book your stay at Le Méridien Abu Dhabi with Forbes Middle East’s special corporate rates.
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About Forbes Middle East
Forbes Middle East is a licensee of Forbes Media and extends the Forbes brand of journalism across the Arab world. Forbes Middle East’s distinctive editorial style attracts a readership of Arab leaders, entrepreneurs, C-level executives, government officials and investors united by a belief in the spirit of free enterprise and entrepreneurial values.Across the region, Forbes Middle East sets the pace for preemptive business journalism. By uncovering trends and anticipating opportunities in the regional marketplace, each monthly issue brings top executives the information critical to their success – in both Arabic and English language editions. The magazine researches and publishes original rankings, based on methodologies set by Forbes Media.
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