The start of the work of the 19th session of "Social Responsibility and Sustainability Award"

Dubai, January 20 / WAM / The Arab Network for Corporate Social Responsibility today in Dubai launched the work of the nineteenth session of the “Arab Award for Social Responsibility and Sustainability”, during a conference in which leaders from the government and private sectors, academia and civil society participated.

The network confirmed that the award, as it enters its nineteenth year, continues to consolidate its position as a leading Arab platform for honoring excellence in the fields of sustainability and corporate social responsibility, through standards that contribute to directing governance practices, enhancing the application of sustainability principles, and achieving sustainable value at the national and regional levels.

Dr. Habiba Al Marashi, founder and president of the Arab Network for Corporate Social Responsibility, said in statements to the Emirates News Agency, WAM, that the requirements for nomination for the award are updated annually and are not measured by fixed standards, in line with global developments in the areas of sustainability and social responsibility, noting that the current session focused on including new axes related to financial transparency, directing investment paths towards the green economy and circular economy, and measuring the impact and results of community investment.

She added that one of the most prominent additions this year is the focus on the low-carbon economy, and measuring carbon dioxide emissions according to the approved global scales (Scope 1, 2, and 3), stressing that this axis requires accurate tools for measurement and evaluation, and developing clear strategies that contribute to reducing emissions and enhancing the efficiency of institutional performance.

Al-Marashi explained that these requirements aim to support education, knowledge exchange, and capacity building, in addition to strengthening partnerships and cooperation between different sectors and across borders, and benefiting from diverse experiences, which contributes to developing innovation, employing artificial intelligence techniques in management, and raising the efficiency of operations.

She pointed out that the award includes 16 categories that include small, medium and large private sector institutions, and government institutions, in addition to multiple sectors, including financial, energy, urban, hospitality, health, education, partnerships, and community institutions, emphasizing that social responsibility and sustainability are a shared responsibility and not limited to a specific sector.

The nineteenth session includes (16) categories that allow participation for various public and private sectors, and covers categories of government institutions and businesses, in addition to sectoral categories that include energy, financial services, social institutions, construction, hospitality, healthcare, automobiles, education, new institutions, partnerships and cooperation.

The network explained that the award categories were designed to honor leadership, innovation, and achieving measurable impact, in addition to its role in building institutional capabilities by providing professional feedback, comparative insights, and strategic guidance that enhances environmental, social, and institutional governance systems, and improves sustainable performance in the long term.

As part of the work of the nineteenth session, the network has decided to organize the award workshop on April 14th, with applications closing on June 30th, while the ceremony honoring the winning institutions will be held on October 14th, 2026.

She pointed out that the launch of the current session came in a hybrid format with the direct and virtual presence of institutions from various Arab countries, pointing out that the award reached 14 Arab countries during its course, with the participation of more than 1,790 institutions, and about 300 institutions were honored since its launch.

She explained that one of the most prominent outcomes of the award is the issuance of the “Best Practices” book on a regular basis since 2008, stressing that the special edition for the eighteenth session is now available, and includes integrated studies covering the environmental, economic and social aspects, allowing researchers and institutions to benefit from them and build on successful experiences.

The ceremony honoring the winning institutions in the nineteenth session of the award is scheduled to be held under the patronage of Sheikh Engineer Salem bin Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Civil Aviation – Ras Al Khaimah.

• For more: Follow Khaleejion 24 Arabic, Khaleejion 24 English, Khaleejion 24 Live, and for social media follow us on Facebook and Twitter