GCC pioneers honoured for good corporate citizenship

Saudi Arabian companies made up four out of the total of seven companies recognised at the 5th Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Summit which takes place in Dubai until Thursday (19 June).

The CSR Summit Awards programme honours companies in the Gulf Co-operation Council countries for their outstanding, innovative and world-class corporate social responsibility projects and programmes.

During his keynote address at the opening of the CSR Summit yesterday, (which is taking place at the JW Marriott Hotel, Dubai, until Thursday 19 June 2008), Najeeb Al Ali, Executive Director of the Dubai Centre for Corporate Values, said that model CSR policies were being developed in the Middle East that integrate the best of international and local practices.

"This was clearly evident when reviewing this year's entries for the CSR awards,"

said Kosta Petrov, Conference Manager of the CSR Summit.

"Companies had to demonstrate leadership, sincerity, a commitment to incorporating ethical values and an on-going respect for their employees, the environment and the communities in which they operate. In all respects those nominated were not found wanting,"

he added.

The award for Environmental Excellence went to the pioneering United Arab Emirates recycling and environmental waste management company Tadweer. "The company has integrated environmental performance into its sustainable development strategy and has delivered proven business benefits," Petrov said.

The Best Community Programme award went to Vodafone Egypt for successfully implementing community projects that have led to better education, business growth and community engagement. Also highly commended in this category was Equate Petrochemical of Saudi Arabia.

The award for Best Workplace Practices went to the Middle East division of The Dow Chemicals Company with Saudi Arabia's Savola Group highly commended. "Companies in this category have policies and programmes in place that show the respect they have for their employees and how much they value them," commented Petrov.

A CSR Leadership award was jointly won by Saudi Telecom and the National Commercial Bank, also of Saudi Arabia. "This award is particularly important as it includes the environment, sustainability, community partnerships, education and poverty alienation to name but a few," Petrov said.

"Despite the image sometimes portrayed of regional companies, more and more are demonstrating their leadership by advancing responsible corporate citizenship.

"All of the companies honoured and others who were entered for the awards are seeking practical solutions to contemporary problems related to globalisation, sustainable development and corporate responsibility. These are all issues that go to the heart of the CSR Summit which aims to monitor, measure and guide a company's relationship with the community and the environment."

The awards ceremony took place at a Gala Dinner last night attended by hundreds of senior executives and professionals of corporate social responsibility from government, business and civil society from the region.

Sponsors of the 5th CSR Summit are Etisalat, The Dow Chemical Company, Dubai Properties and Microsoft. Supporters of the Summit are CSR Middle East, Dubai Centre for Corporate Values, the UN Development Programme, Greater Good and Dubai Drums.