HE Buthaina bint Ali Al Jabr Al Nuaimi, Minister of Education and Higher Education, inaugurated the Qatar CSR Summit 2024 at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC). The summit, held under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, will run from April 30 to May 2.
Themed ‘The Future of CSR in a Circular Economy’, the three-day event witnessed the presence of esteemed dignitaries including Qatar University President Dr. Omar Al-Ansari, Ooredoo Chief Executive Officer Sheikh Ali bin Jaber Al Thani, QNB Group Chief Business Officer Yousef Mahmoud Al-Neama, Assistant Undersecretary for Industry Affairs and Business Development at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Mr. Saleh bin Majid Al-Khulaifi, and President of Mubadara for Social Impact & CEO of Qatar National Corporate Social Responsibility Programme Dr. Saif Ali Al-Hajri.
The summit attracted a diverse audience comprising participants from ministries, government agencies, international organisations, sponsors, Qatar University’s administrative and academic personnel, businessmen, academics, and diplomats.
In his welcoming speech, Dr Omar Al-Ansari, President of Qatar University, stated, “We believe that social responsibility is not just a moral obligation but an integral part of our academic and educational mission. We strive to enhance our students’ awareness and develop their skills and capabilities to become more involved in social and environmental issues, as well as have a deeper comprehension of how to solve these problems. Our commitment extends beyond the boundaries of the university campus to encompass our wider community.” Al-Ansari called on “all attendees to cooperate continuously and constructively together, as social responsibility is not the responsibility of a single individual or institution, but a collective commitment that requires joint efforts.” He expressed his hope that “the conference sessions will yield innovative ideas and practical solutions that serve our community.”
Mohammed Abdulrazaq Al-Siddiqi, Director of Financial & Administrative Affairs at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Government Partner of the event, praised the effective measures implemented to foster a culture of corporate social responsibility. These strides reflect the collaborative efforts between the ministry and Qatar’s business sector. He stressed that “Such events help in laying the foundation for the business sector on how companies can contribute to the development of Qatari society by implementing various social projects that align with the goals of sustainable development plans and the objectives of Qatar’s National Vision 2030.”
Sheikh Ali bin Jaber Al Thani, Chief Executive Officer of Ooredoo, declared, “The company strongly believes in the necessity of social responsibility and sustainability and is keen on involving these values in all our activities.” He added, “supporting national events such as Qatar CSR Summit is part of our strategy to make the world a better place, and we are committed to playing our role in building a sustainable future in Qatar and the world.”
On his part, Yousef Mahmoud Al-Neama, Chief Business Officer of QNB Group, stated, ” We are proud to be the official sponsor of this significant event for the second consecutive year, promoting corporate social responsibility practices in Qatar. This reflects the depth of our partnership with Qatar University and our commitment to promoting sustainable development, driving positive change, and making a positive impact in the communities we serve.” Al-Neama emphasized the bank’s steadfast belief in supporting corporate social responsibility initiatives to deliver sustainable value and build a better future for generations to come.”
The event also featured the acknowledgment of the CSR Person of the Year in Qatar, presented this year to H.E. Sheikh Dr. Faleh bin Nasser Al-Thani, Former Minister of Environment and Climate Change. This recognition celebrates his remarkable dedication and achievements in the realms of sustainability and climate change mitigation. The Minister of Education and Higher Education, joined by Dr. Al-Ansari and Dr. Al-Hajri, conferred the honorary shield upon His Excellency.
This year’s Social Responsibility Conference and Exhibition boasts broad participation from governmental, semi-governmental, and private sector entities, as well as international organisations. Key sponsors and participants include the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, QNB Group, Ooredoo, Weill Cornell Medicine’s Your Health First initiative, Snoonu, Aamal, Al-Faisal Holding, Al Abdulghani Motors, Lulu, Baladi Express, FMM, Gulf Crafts, Dallah Holding, Qatar Cancer Society, Awsaj Academy, Sanea, Al Darwish Interserve Facility Management, Naya Water, and others. International involvement is notable, with partners such as MENA Business Schools Alliance for Sustainability, United Nations Global Compact, UNESCO, International Labour Organisation, World Bank Group, and Global Business School Network.
The first day of Qatar CSR Summit 2024 saw experts, academics, and CSR program leaders from diverse institutions. Keynote speeches by Max Tunon from ILO Doha and Anita Lebiar from UN Global Compact highlighted the event. Panel discussions explored practical solutions inspired by global experiences, covering topics like the circular economy and sustainability in education and supply chains.
Hamad Mubarak Al-Hajri, Founder and CEO of Snoonu, the Gold Sponsor, expressed his pleasure at participating in the first panel discussion entitled “Pathways to Sustainability: Business Schools and Stakeholders Joining Forces.” He stated that “This conference is extremely important as it brings together various stakeholders from academic institutions, government agencies, and private sector companies in an attempt to reach the most appropriate corporate social responsibility strategies under a unified vision.”
Over the next two days, the conference will host interventions, panel discussions, and workshops led by over 60 speakers. Topics will include responsible management, the social impact of sustainability, labour concerns, responsible business conduct, and more.
For more information about Qatar CSR Summit 2024, please visit www.qcsrsummit.com
