EAD launches the Arab World's first Public Sector Sustainability Report

The Report, which has been prepared based on the world's most widely accepted guidelines for sustainability reporting - the Global Reporting Initiative's G3- Guidelines, is the Arab world's first public sector Sustainability Report.

The launch, which was held at the Shangri-La Hotel in Abu Dhabi, was attended by H.E. Mohammed Al Bowardi, Secretary General of Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Managing Director of EAD; H.E. Majid Al Mansouri, Secretary General of EAD and other officials and representatives from leading government organizations and businesses.

Mr. Al Bowardi said in the speech he delivered during the launch, "In the past, humans respected the ecological balance more, development was in harmony with nature, and our ancestors enjoyed a state of health that many only dream of. Also in the past, they did not have the knowledge we have today yet they still conserved natural resources."

"We must remember that for every action, there is a reaction, today, we marvel at the technological advances that have rapidly changed the way we live. Life has indeed become easier. However, it is this same technology that has vastly altered our environment and upset the ecological balance," he added.

Al Bowardi noted that the world has sounded the alarm bell regarding Climate Change and its reality. Unsustainable use of resources has led to the spread of poverty, food shortage, wastage of water and loss of precious natural resources. "We must think of those who will inherit our Earth after us," he added.

He said that in line with this, EAD aims for Sustainable Development to be the driving force behind any development efforts in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. This can happen through Partnerships, Transparency and Good Governance and through this Sustainability Report, we aim to maximize our contribution and impact and set a practical example for business and the community, create optimal value for all key stakeholders in an ecologically sustainable manner.

Al Bowardi stressed that the outcome of this initiative is the Sustainability Excellence Group, comprising of Abu Dhabi's leading private companies and Abu Dhabi's government departments. "Both groups will demonstrate their commitment to Sustainability Management by issuing annual reports, according to international standards," he added.

Mr. Al Bowardi urged all government and private companies to adopt the Sustainability Management Approach as EAD had done, by issuing their own Sustainability Report on an annual basis.