RABI HAMAMSAH (ABU DHABI)
The Sustainability Leaders Summit 2024 kicked off in Abu Dhabi on Thursday with the theme “Shaping a Sustainable Tomorrow”.
The two-day event is a much-awaited gathering of influential leaders, innovators and experts from diverse sectors instrumental in the global effort for sustainable and fair development, with a focus on trade.
Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, inaugurated the summit with a keynote speech emphasising the country's role as a global trade hub, which is influencing the sustainability of supply chains that drive growth worldwide.
Nutritional Needs and Environmental Sustainability
The goal of the summit is to give global leaders, industry professionals and stakeholders the ability to address pressing environmental issues. The schedule includes different panel discussions, interviews and presentations covering topics like public policy for environmental goals, economic growth and community welfare, sustainable finance for climate action, and conservation of vital resources.
The summit addressed the capacity of food systems to ensure adequate energy and essential nutrients for maintaining population health without sacrificing the ability of future generations to fulfil their nutritional requirements along with the environmental sustainability.
John Keppler, Executive Chairperson of Iyris, a world-leading, sustainable agritech company, told Aletihad that food is a central issue in one of the major dilemmas of the present era.
“We are in urgent need of finding solutions. Everyone around the globe should have access to a balanced, healthy, and nutritious diet. Simultaneously, we must make decisions about food production and consumption that balance the finite natural resources on Earth to provide for all individuals. We require nutrition that is able to be maintained for the long term,” he added.
Several participants spoke to Aletihad during the summit and stressed that the UAE understands that “sustainability is closely linked to goals of economic diversification, which aim to create new industries, capabilities and ways of generating value”. Therefore, the UAE embraces sustainability as a driver of innovation.
The Power of Art and Fashion to Inspire Change
One of the themes that topped the summit is how the influence of art and fashion can motivate change and help in sustainable transformation to create a ripple effect across digital and physical worlds.
In an interview with Aletihad Hind Khlaifat, one of the participants in the summit and the GM of Deraya Speakers, a company specialised in training future media experts and strategists, said: “The combination of fashion and art can lead to unique partnerships that push the limits of creativity and sustainability.”
She added that designers and artists collaborate to rethink the perception of clothing, seeing them not only as essentials but also as artistic expressions of individual style and cultural beliefs.
Elizabeth Markevitch, founder and CEO of IkonoTV, told Aletihad that sustainable art elevates artistic expression by incorporating ethical practices and environmental considerations into the creative process. This method improves the story of each piece and also guarantees any industry.
On the sidelines of the Sustainability Leaders Summit 2024, participants took part in interactive workshops, including sessions on designing plant-filled wellbeing spaces, recycling, and promoting wellbeing with essential oils. A centre of art and culture showcased diverse activities and artworks made from sustainable materials, encouraging eco-friendly practices through creative methods.