Media personality and business pioneer Nashwa Al Ruwaini participated in the Forbes Middle East Summit for Sustainability Leaders in Abu Dhabi, chaired by His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, the UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade. The summit serves as an opportunity to exchange ideas, innovations, and inspiration to promote a sustainable future for the region and the world.

The summit highlighted 10 governmental leaders in the Middle East who are using their authority to make positive and constructive changes to address climate change challenges. The event featured participation from 44 companies from the UAE, 22 from Saudi Arabia, 10 from Qatar, and 12 international companies, including 11 with regional headquarters in the UAE. It also included 5 companies from Egypt, 3 from Kuwait, and 2 each from Bahrain and Oman.

Nashwa Al Ruwaini, known for her contributions in media, entrepreneurship, and the green economy, joined a group of sustainability pioneers from the Middle East, shedding light on ways to integrate sustainability into regional economic growth.

Regarding her participation in the summit, Al Ruwaini confirmed: "This prominent summit reflects our enduring commitment to enhancing sustainability in every aspect of life. The summit’s goals embody the vision we all strive to achieve in a world characterized by economic, social, and environmental prosperity."

Al Ruwaini emphasized the important role that innovations and technology play in accelerating the transition to sustainability. She stressed the importance of mutual cooperation and effective partnerships between the public and private sectors to achieve sustainable development goals. It is evident that there is a global direction towards it. With global population projections reaching 9.7 billion by 2050, our current consumption patterns would require resources from two planets to maintain our lifestyle.

She added, "We live in an era of rapid transformations and continual evolution, and I believe that innovation and technology are the main drivers for building a greener, more sustainable world. Through collaboration and partnership, we can turn challenges into opportunities and achieve an ideal balance between economic growth and environmental conservation."

UAE's Leadership Role On the UAE’s role in supporting sustainability, Al Ruwaini stated: "The UAE is not just observing; it is leading. I would not be exaggerating if I said that the UAE is leading the world towards sustainability, having ranked 28th globally in the 2022 Global Innovation Index, reflecting its commitment to innovation and sustainable development. According to the UAE Banks Federation, six major UAE banks have allocated more than 190 billion UAE dirhams (US$51.8 billion) for green financing in renewable energy, waste-to-energy, and green technology by the end of 2022. In addition, the UAE plans to invest up to 200 billion dirhams (US$54 billion) by 2030 to ensure that energy demand is met while maintaining sustainable economic growth."

She further affirmed: "The UAE's global leadership in adopting sustainability initiatives is not unfounded, as the UAE applies the highest environmental standards and harnesses advanced technology to enhance resource efficiency. The UAE’s strategies and projects demonstrate a long-term vision that combines economic growth with environmental preservation to ensure a sustainable future for coming generations."

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Al Ruwaini concluded by affirming: "The Forbes Middle East Summit for Sustainability Leaders 2023 serves as an exceptional platform for exchanging ideas, knowledge, and experiences. I am confident that the summit will be a pivotal point in our journey towards a more sustainable world and a golden opportunity to achieve a balance that benefits everyone. It confirms that businesses can be a force for good and that every individual has a role to play in creating a greener and more prosperous future, and a bright future that every human being deserves."