ICCD`s participation in the 7th edition of CC Forum
"Global Investment in Sustainable Development"
The Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development has the honour to announce the successful conclusion of the 7th edition of CC Forum “Global Investment in Sustainable Development”, held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, in which ICCD participated as a media partner, throughout Tuesday and Wednesday, 22-23 March 2022, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain.
As part of the global efforts towards achieving sustainable development, and with the participation of a selection of concerned leaders on sustainable development issues around the world, the event addressed a wide range of issues related to the green economy, climate change and sustainability, by exploring ways and mechanisms of achieving sustainable development and overcoming hurdling challenges around the world.
The Forum began with an opening speech by Mr. Max Studnikov, Founder and Executive Director of CC Forum, who emphasized the dire need to address global development challenges in order to ensure a better future for the future generations. Mr. David Gibson-Moore, President and CEO of Gulf Analytica and the Board of Trustees of Arch Klumph Rotary, also pointed out Bahrain’s position as one of the most important investment hubs in the MENA region.
In the context of the global interest in sustainable development issues, the entrepreneur, Paedagogue and author, Mr. Gunter Pauli, known around the world as “Steve Jobs Sustainable Development”, during his speech entitled “A New Intellectual Model to Save the Planet”, referred to the pivotal role of the United Nations to protect the planet and preserve the global environment, stressing the importance of relentless pursuit towards the adoption of new technologies, because of their great impact in advancing the sustainable development process throughout the world.
His Royal Highness Prince Abdullah bin Sultan Al Saud participated in the forum through the “The Road to Clean Fuels” panel discussion, during which he reviewed the pivotal role of the Saudi mega-project “NEOM” in contributing to reducing pollution, and promoting reliance on renewable energy by 100%.
For his part, Dr. Sultan Al Sultan, Member of the Consultative Assembly of Saudi Arabia, during his participation in the panel discussion “Shifting towards green energy in the GCC and how to implement it?” reviewed Numerous initiatives launched by the Saudi government to achieve the circular economy, as one of the most important pillars of the sustainable development process. He also pointed out the need to intensify efforts to shift towards green energy at the local, regional and international levels, aiming at creating sustainable and environmentally- friendly economic growth.
Within the framework of Stressing the importance of financing innovation to reduce the negative effects of climate change and enhance sustainability around the world, Lord Nat Wei, a member of the British House of Lords for Shoreditch, discussed, during his speech entitled “Financing innovation to solve the climate change crisis”, the necessity to finance global initiatives aiming at reducing pollution and preserving the environment. He also pointed out the role of the private sector in developing new financial innovations that contribute to overcoming the challenges facing the economy after Corona pandemic.
In this regard, during her participation in a panel discussion on “Corporate Strategies Going Green: a Placebo or a Game Changer?”, Ms. Carol Pepper, Founder and CEO of Pepper International and member of the Advisory Committee of the United Nations Capital Development Fund, referred to the role of financial centers in promoting the use of green technology to conserve the environment and achieve sustainable development.
During the CC Forum “Global Investment in Sustainable Development”, H.E. Mr. Roderick Drummond, British Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain, stressed during his participation in the panel discussion “Global Geopolitics in Relation to Resolving Sustainability Issues: A propeller or Retardant?”, the need to find long-term solutions, along with short-term solutions, to overcome climate change issues and challenges.
Mr. Foster Gillette, founder of Gillett Group International, Booth Creek Management, and FAB Global Holding, shared his long march of success, which made him one of the world’s most important and wealthiest investors, commenting: “Every project was initially just a thought of an investor.”
Concerning the most important factors that contribute effectively to the achievement of sustainable development, Her Royal Highness Dr. Ayla Al-Dajfari, Founder and Chair of Ayla Associate Group, discussed the importance of women’s empowerment as a central pillar that contributes to achieving sustainable development worldwide.
In this regard, the impact of awareness and education in achieving sustainable development was noted. As Mr. Holmes Stoner, President and Founder of the Pacific Rim Chamber of Commerce, pointed out the importance of education as a pivotal element during the transition process towards a green economy and sustainable development, stressing the importance of providing all necessary support to find innovative solutions to many sustainable development issues.
ICCD`s participation in the 7th edition of CC Forum came as part of its ongoing efforts to support and promote sustainable development, through the creation of innovative mechanisms that contribute to the transition towards a green economy and clean energy, in addition to crystallizing the pivotal role of the private sector in achieving sustainability at all levels to achieve a better and sustainable future.
About the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development:
The Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development is an international institution affiliated of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). It represents the private sector of 57 member countries of OIC, as well as observer members and other associate members from Muslim minorities. ICCD aims at strengthening cooperation among its member states in the areas of trade, industry, and information technology, and promoting investment opportunities and joint- projects among member states. Its membership consists of national chambers, unions, councils of chambers of commerce and industry in OIC member states.
ICCD was established based on the decision of the Seventh Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers, which took place in May, 1976 Istanbul, Turkey. And was adopted by the first conference of chambers of commerce and industry in Islamic world countries, which also held in Istanbul, Turkey in Oct., 1977.
Later, the constitution of ICCD was passed by the second conference of chambers of commerce and industry in Islamic world countries, which held in Dec., 1978 in Karachi. Its headquarters in Karachi, the economic capital of the republic of Pakistan.
For more information about ICCD and its upcoming economic projects, kindly visit our website: www.iccia.com , or contact media department via email: news@iccdglobal.com.