Emirates Environmental Group Hosts a Virtual Panel Discussion "Effective & Sustainable Partnerships: A Door for the Next Decade"

EEG hosted its 4th and last Panel Discussion of the year under the title of “Effective & Sustainable Partnerships: A Door for the Next Decade” on 21st September 2021.

EEG chairperson, Mrs. Habiba Al Mar’ashi emphasised that in an increasingly globalised world that we live in, we are experiencing a ripple effect of a phenomena that has transcended borders and impacted each one of us on an individual level. The COVID-19 pandemic, or the calamities that are seen around the world because of climate change, are both very relevant examples. As a result, effective partnerships become an inevitable step in our collective stride towards achieving sustainable development.

The 4th Panel discussion highlighted the need to revitalise partnerships. Strengthening multidimensional and global partnerships are more important than ever before if we are to solve the world’s problems. The 2030 Agenda, with its 17 goals, is universal and calls for actions by all countries to ensure that we all move forward together sustainably. With 9 years left to achieve all the targets set for Agenda 2030, it is the need of the hour to discuss the role and impact partnerships, and probe into the implications of leading a sustainable recovery from the pandemic, and in stimulating a decade of action.

The conversation revolved around the questions of obstacles faced in achieving Agenda 2030? How does Local and Global partnerships facilitate sustainability in the UAE, can economic, environmental and social sustainability objectives be attained through stable partnerships, How can international partnerships strategise our road to recovery from the Pandemic and stimulate a decade of action?

To discuss these questions and more, EEG invited the following four distinguished panelists:

• Ms. Hind AlShamsi - Acting Director of the Statistics Department - Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC) for the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs

• Ms. Sabine Sakr – Regional Development Coordinator – UNEP

• Ms. Rose Armour - Head - AUS Sustainability – American University of Sharjah
• Mr. Anirban Chatterjee - Head of Business Development, Sales & Marketing -India & Middle East - DNV

Each speaker brought forward their viewpoints as to how to recover from the disastrous effect of the pandemic through mutually benefitting stable local, regional and global partnerships.

Takeaways from each speaker are as below:

Ms. Hind Majid Al Shamsi said that: To successfully implement SDGs, The UAE recognises the importance of robust private and public partnerships. Therefore, the Cabinet formed a National Committee on SDGs in 2017 which collaborates with 16 federal entities for the national implemental of SDGs. This establishment identified priority indicators for the national agenda - UAE Vision 2030. The Private Sector Advisory Council formed in 2018, focuses on SDG implementation and works in close collaboration with the National Committee on SDGs to advise policies and reforms. FCSC ensures that the youth is well equipped to drive future sustainable developments. International partnerships are an important mechanism to achieve global sustainability. The Cabinet further aims to accelerate the universal sustainable goals and to foster economic growth, efficiency, transparency and development. Ms. Sabine Sakr discussed that creating partnerships with major stakeholders is significant to achieve SDGs. She highlighted that partnership for UNEP means an extended hand to serve nations globally and accomplish the goals through Public, semi-private, academic, technical and NGOs. To elaborate further, she mentioned strong relations with UNDP to achieve and implement all programmes. UNEP is also focusing on entering more partnerships with the private sector as well as the active NGO’s in future to achieve global development and recover sustainably from pandemic.

Ms. Rose spoke about the role of higher education to open the door of sustainable development. AUS focuses on student and community engagements, student communication and involvement at local level for developing a thriving and sustainable society. It is important that educational institutions create sustainable mind-set amongst the graduates to develop environment conscious youth. Understanding this need, AUS developed a 9-Week course as a toolkit, with a focal objective of sustainable education. One of the momentous facts of the toolkit is that UNESCO’s learning objective document which combines the Head, Heart and Hand in a way that youth develops holistic responsible approach. Mr. Chatterjee emphasised that to achieve Net Zero by 2030, and to be on that trajectory the 3 pillars of connection, capability and innovation needs to be established at all levels. This calls for corporate and industry level targets to decarbonise strategically. DNV works relentlessly with partners and key stakeholders for the decarbonisation journey. To avoid catastrophic incidents, robust partnership is needed on climate action. LDCs must be involved to bridge the gap to achieve SDGs. Mr. Chatterjee concluded with Nelson Mandela’s quote – that we can achieve more, if we decide to move forward together. The event concluded with great remarks from all and the valuable lessons learnt on this important topic.