Abu Dhabi Sustainability Group holds its 2nd quarterly meeting

The Group was launched by the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (EAD) in June 2008 and is the first of its kind in the Arab world. The Group aspires to encourage organizations to adopt sustainability management and reporting. The aim is also to help organizations achieve regional and global competitiveness with potentially dramatic reductions in environmental impacts.

During the meeting, the members discussed the Group's draft Charter, shared their experiences, sat a guiding framework for future action and attended training on Sustainability Management and Reporting.

The Group's members are: Dolphin Energy, Aldar Properties, Emirates Foundation, Sorouh Real Estate, ADNOC, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, ADWEA, Health Authority-Abu Dhabi, Higher Corporation for Specialized Industrial Zones, Department of Municipal Affairs, National Bank of Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Department of Planning and Economy and Department of Transport.

H.E Majid Al Mansouri, Secretary General of EAD, in his address to the Group, said:

"I am proud to see that we are gathered here today under one of the most important banners of our time: Sustainability."

"Earlier this year in May, H.E. Mohammad Al Bowardi Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Managing Director of EAD emphasized the need to establish such a Group. A month later, we all declared our commitment to managing our organizations in an integrated way that takes into consideration our economic, environmental and social performance. This is Abu Dhabi's landmark step towards Management Excellence," he added.

In his address, Al Mansouri thanked EAD partners on the Task Force; National Bank of Abu Dhabi, Dolphin Energy, Emirates Foundation and Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry for their time and effort in developing the Group Charter.

"During such quarterly meetings, we are all expected to actively participate and contribute. Outside the meetings, we are not only expected to issue a sustainability report within the agreed timeframe but also expected to raise awareness and knowledge of sustainability as well as demonstrate leadership in order to encourage others to join the Group and embrace sustainability management," he added.