The en.v Initiative’, an organisation dedicated to social responsibility in the Arab World and a subsidiary of El Boutique Creative Group, organised the REUSE Speaker Forum on March 28, 2011 in Kuwait City, Kuwait.
The REUSE Speakers Forum is a series of panel discussions that was the first of its kind in Kuwait. The purpose of the forum was to promote a dialogue on sustainability in the region and spark a discussion on ways that can further put into perspective the challenges that the Arab world is facing regarding environmental issues.
Dow Chemical reaffirmed its support for REUSE – Kuwait’s foremost expo dedicated to promoting eco-friendly, sustainable living – as Title Partner of the REUSE Speakers Forum. The event, held at the Australian College of Kuwait (ACK), was co-sponsored by Agility.
Speakers at the REUSE Speakers forum
Bringing together thought leaders, stakeholders and decision makers from Kuwait and across the globe, the forum addressed some of the most pressing sustainability and environmental challenges facing Kuwait today.
The panelists included Dr Anne Wallin, Director of EH&S and Sustainability for Dow EMEA; Najib Saab, Editor-in-Chief of Al-Bia Wal Tanmia, Secretary General of the Arab Forum for Environment & Development (AFED) and President of MECTAT; Chad Boettcher, Senior Vice President of Social Innovation, Weber Shandwick; Captain Ali Haider, Vice President of Kuwait Environmental Public Authority (EPA); Dr Lia Carol Seighart, Senior Environmental Economist, Regional Finance Coordinator MENA Region Sustainable Development, The World Bank; Dr Sami Al-Yakoob, Chief Executive Officer of Gulf Environmental General Trading and Contracting Company (GETCO); and Tarek Sultan, Chairman and Managing Director of Agility.
During the forum, the panellists touched on the importance of sustainability as it related to the private sector (i.e. companies and corporations) as well as the public sector (government and semi-governmental institutions). Among the issues discussed were: gas emissions, renewable energy, agricultural productivity, waste management and water shortage. Mediated by the en.v Initiative’s CEO and Managing Partner, Zahed Sultan, the forum was opened by a keynote speech from Markus Wildi, Vice President of Corporate Development in Kuwait, and President of Dow Middle East.
“The en.v Initiative is increasingly attracting members of the community to pledge their support for environmental preservation and social development, and the REUSE Speakers forum is an ideal platform for industry leaders to discuss issues of environmental responsibility and sustainability,” said Sultan. “Together with Dow, we are aiming to pave the sustainable way forward, and it was exciting to see thought-provoking ideas being raised for this movement.”
Markus Wildi, Vice President of Corporate Development in Kuwait, and President of Dow Middle East said: “Our participation in and sponsorship of the REUSE Speakers Forum fosters our partnership with en.v and our commitment to raising awareness to help protect the Kuwaiti environment, and to encourage sustainable practices in the Kuwaiti community.”
In his concluding remarks at the close of the forum, Zahed Sultan said: “It has been a privilege to share the stage with panellists of this calibre whom are pioneers within their industries. I hope these discussions have shed light on some of the challenges that we are currently facing in the region. We aspire for the REUSE Speakers Forum to be a stepping stone for many more discussions that will lead to a change in the way that corporations do business as well as the way that governments regulate them.”
