By
Marwa Nassar
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The third edition of the Arab Sustainable Development Week – under the auspices of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi – kicked off on Sunday with the participation of CSR Arabia – which is specialized in promoting Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the Sustainable Development Goals.
The four-day event is organized by the Arab League in tandem with the Ministry of Planning, Monitoring and Administrative Reform and the United Nations.
Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Abul Gheit participated in the event’s inauguration alongside Minister of Planning, Monitoring and Administrative Reform Hala El Saeed, World Bank Group senior vice president for 2030 Development Agenda Mahmoud Mohie El Din, UNDP Resident Representative in Egypt Randa Aboul-Hosn and EU Ambassador in Cairo Ivan Surkos. A number of ministers as well as Arab and foreign ambassadors and experts are also taking part in the event.
The gathering – which is the largest platform for addressing the Sustainable Development Goals in the Arab region – tackles three main themes “Integration between Development Partners,” “Towards a Better Life,” and “New Horizons for an Ever-Changing World.”
The four sessions scheduled for the first day will address how to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a constantly changing world, engaging the private sector in this process, strategic management of development-related media and a global perspective on sustainable development.
The gathering’s theme “Integration between Development Partners” highlights that Sustainable Development Goals require effective and working partnership so that making the right decisions that would improve sustainability for future generations. Achieving sustainable development goals requires large-scale partnership that brings together governments, the private sector, civil society and all sectors of society to work closely together. Through the past three years, rationality, understanding gaps, identifying challenges and priorities, partnership, transparency, and scrutinizing objectives and partnerships formed the major criteria of joint action between the League of Arab States and its multiple partners of national bodies, specialized Arab organizations, regional and international organizations, civil society groups, philanthropic organizations, the private sector, youth and women.
The second theme of “Towards a Better Life” stresses that change begins with policies supporting the role of individuals, and is then followed by efforts of development and change of society where individuals live. Society must invest in the fundamentals of boosting the role of individuals through improving health and wellbeing, evaluating existing services to ensure they are in line with the goals of the healthcare system, and improving education as a fundamental human right that paves the way for a successful and prosperous future. Enlightenment and practical social culture also helps people build their identity and identify their beliefs and values. Humanity moves forward by embracing differences and recognizing the reasons for integration and diversity in the public course, but this cannot be achieved without supporting the notion of citizenship, which requires major efforts by the state at all levels. Societies only move forward when women are empowered; and women’s rights shall essentially become a culture.
The third theme of “New Horizons for an Ever-Changing World” examines the challenges and opportunities facing the future of the Arab region, against the backdrop of a new international system that started to emerge as a result of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The new outlook is infused with fresh opportunities, challenges and skills that will make many traditional jobs obsolete, while introducing new jobs in various industries, such as the green jobs program that backs transformation to green economy, especially in alternative energy, waste management, etc., This would require the development of new skills to meet the challenges of the future. The Arab region needs a vision that supports this new reality by developing programs that aim to improve education and groom fresh graduates and experienced staff with advanced skills. It is also highly important to encourage new ventures and risk-taking in the public and private sectors to build the future beyond 2030. This can be achieved through the following: – Develop key sectors and promote innovation, especially in the fields of renewable energy, transport, health, education, technology, water and space. – Train people about the notion of citizenship, and promote women empowerment in all spheres of life and work. – Build high-production, knowledge-based economy by promoting lifelong learning programs. – Design skill development programs and training in future skills. – Encourage high-caliber personnel to take up analytical and service jobs and promote entrepreneurship and self-employment. – Encourage youth in the Arab region to take part in dialogue with other parties in the society about the future of development in the region and the future of youth as a major focus of countries in the present time.
CSR Arabia – which is owned by Hassan Moustafa who is also the founder of CSR Egypt – takes part in the event which will help the company proceed with its march of entrenching the concept of sustainability and raise awareness about Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the Sustainable Development Goals. CSR Arabia seeks to realize integration among various sustainable development partners in order to attain the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Moustafa has – through his two companies – spearheaded several forums and initiatives to raise awareness about the importance of CSR and Sustainable Development. The events organized by CSR Egypt and CSR Arabia include Egypt CSR Forum, Green Economy Forum, Arab Corporate Citizenship Forum and the Arab Forum for the Differently-abled People.
Moustafa has also co-organized a number of prominent conferences, including the Arab Sustainable Development Week, Pan Arab Organizations Conference and 2019 Africa Regional Ministerial Conference on Green Economy.”
The company focuses on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and works on spreading awareness about the 17 goals with an aim to contribute to ongoing efforts to have a sustainable planet for future generations.
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