Over 3,000 industry leaders, government officials, and sustainability experts have flocked to the 2nd Future Sustainability Summit 2024, hosted by Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). The event represents a global platform to enhance the transition towards a low-carbon, climate-resilient future while highlighting the UAE’s sustainable practices and financial mechanisms supporting its Net Zero 2050 goals.
PC: Zawya
The summit will include panel discussions on critical topics such as green financing mechanisms, decarbonization of the energy sector, building a circular economy, ESG reporting, and sustainable development strategies for 2025. The second day will engage in innovation, digital transformation, and the development of smart cities.
The event brought together 100 global speakers from more than 50 countries, including H.E. Eng. Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, CEO of Emirates Steel Arkan, Eng. Yousif Al Ali, CEO of Etihad Water & Electricity, Capt. Saif Al Mheiri, CEO of Abu Dhabi Maritime and AD Ports Group, and Jane Goodland, Group Head of Sustainability at London Stock Exchange Group.
It also brought over 500 global investors to the summit, of which more than 20% had portfolios worth over USD 100 million. This is an indicator that the summit had an emphasis on climate technology and renewable energy, thereby emphasizing its role as a catalyst for sustainable investment.
Alya AlZarouni, Chief Operating Officer of the DIFC Authority, is also Co-Chairing the Dubai Sustainable Finance Working Group. She said, “Through The Future Sustainability Forum knowledge will be shared in leading on the transition to a net-zero future. Sustainability has several requirements: innovation, sufficient funding, education, and building capacity, all while at the forefront, driven through DIFC.
Since signing the Paris Agreement in 2016, the UAE has made great strides toward its shift to a sustainable, low-carbon economy. The Net Zero agenda serves as the basis for the long-term objectives of the nation, from a growing interest in green bond issuances, regional sustainability projects, and decarbonisation initiatives in the financial sector.
DIFC has played a pivotal role in the mobilization of climate finance in the region. At COP28, DIFC launched its Sustainable Finance Catalyst, a strategic program designed to unlock USD 100 billion in sustainable finance flows from Dubai by 2030. The summit further positioned Dubai as a global leader in climate action, innovation, and a circular economy transition.
The 2nd Future Sustainability Summit emphasized the need for collective action, knowledge exchange, and innovative solutions in shaping a sustainable future for the UAE and beyond.
