Page 39 - MAJRA PR REPORT - JUNE 2025

6/9/25, 9:23 AM Latest News
toward sustainable development. By recognising impactful initiatives, the Challenge further supports the UAE’s broader national drive to achieve the
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and promotes the adoption of CSR and sustainability practices across all major sectors.
In her speech, H.E. Hessa Buhumaid affirmed the pivotal role played by Majra through the launching of such CSR initiatives and the identification of effective
private sector leadership that would enhance social impact. H.E. highlighted the importance of this Challenge as the first initiative showcasing projects with
significant environmental, economic, and social impact in conjunction with the prestigious ‘Year of Community’ program. Her Excellency praised the
efforts of the third sector in providing valuable contributions and actively tackling social, environmental, and economic issues.
The top three winners included HeroGo, for its project 'Empowering the GCC to access better quality and more affordable groceries while eliminating food
waste'; Thiqa Education’s '1 Dirham makes an impact' initiative; and Distant Imagery Solutions' 'Rooted in Innovation UAE Engineered Drones Transform
Mangrove Restoration’ initiative. Together, they were awarded a total cash prize of AED 600,000 in recognition of their exceptional contributions to
sustainable development in the UAE. Additionally, the other shortlisted sustainability initiatives were acknowledged for their outstanding efforts and given the
opportunity to showcase their project outcomes.
Sarah Shaw, CEO of Majra, said: “We are delighted to identify and honour the innovative, impactful projects through the Sustainable Impact Challenge 2025.
These initiatives highlight the pivotal role of private sector firms in driving sustainable change. At Majra, we look forward to relentlessly supporting such
efforts that contribute to the UAE’s vision for a sustainable, inclusive and resilient future.”
On the sidelines of the event, several sessions and meetings were held to reinforce Majra’s lead role in fostering sustainability in various industries. A key
session at the event featured H.E. Abdullah Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy and Vice Chairman of Majra’s Board of Trustees, along with
undersecretaries from five ministries to discuss the main challenges that hinder the advancement of social responsibility in the UAE. Key issues highlighted
included the lack of opportunities that encourage private sector involvement, ongoing environmental hurdles and ways to find adequate solutions, and the
need for stronger regulatory frameworks that require organisations to implement CSR practices.
Another key session titled, ‘The Role of Public, Private and Third Sector in Developing an Impact Economy,’ explored the importance of cross-sector
collaboration in building a sustainable economy. The panel featured thought leaders including Dr. Habiba Al Marashi, Chairperson and Co-Founder, Emirates
Environmental Group, Chandran Nair, Founder and
CEO, Global Institute For Tomorrow (GIFT) and H.E. Maysa Al Nowais, Executive Director – Community Engagement and Volunteering, Social Contributions
Authority – Ma’an. The session was moderated by Mohammed Hanif Al Qassim.
The event also hosted the inaugural meeting of the Fashion Sustainability Taskforce, held in the presence of H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri. The meeting laid
the groundwork for future collaboration and set the direction for a unified roadmap to promote sustainability within the fashion industry.
The Sustainable Impact Challenge 2025 stands as a testament to Majra’s unwavering commitment towards establishing a thriving ecosystem that
encourages and supports CSR initiatives in line with the UAE’s strategic development goals.
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