Blitz Bureau
THE Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) welcomed more than 3,000 industry leaders, government officials, and sustainability experts on December 4 as the 2nd Future Sustainability Forum 2024 got underway.
The first day of the Future Sustainability Forum showcased thought leadership in panel discussions on topics including facilitation and development of green financing mechanisms, enhancing stakeholder engagement for sustainable development, decarbonisation of the energy sector, prominence of building a circular economy, ESG reporting, and a roadmap to a sustainable 2045.
The second day of the event will see industry-focused discussions surrounding innovation, digital transformation and smart cities. The event attracted 100 global speakers from 50-plus countries, highlighting the importance of the UAE’s sustainability initiatives. Among the attendees were over 500 global investors, and more than 20 per cent of these investors represent funds with portfolios of $100mn and above. This robust investor presence emphasised a strong focus on climate technology and renewable energy, underscoring the forum’s role in driving sustainable investment and actionable insights in these critical areas.
Alya AlZarouni, Chief Operating Officer at DIFC Authority, said, “DIFC is committed to establishing synergies worldwide with governments, organisations, industries, investors and more, to drive the transition to Net Zero with sustainable finance mechanisms. The Future Sustainability Forum enables this transition through collaboration and knowledge sharing that inspires learning. Sustainability requires innovation, considerable finance, education, reporting, and capacity building. At DIFC, we are poised to reinforce our leadership in contributing to the UAE’s climate action strategies and economic development by driving the future of finance.” During the Future Sustainability Forum, several companies signed agreements to demonstrate their commitment to taking action on climate change.
