Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and its importance for the region's growth and long-term development will be the focus of attention for Middle East business leaders gathering in Dubai, from June 5 to 8, 2005 to attend the 2nd Middle East Corporate Social Responsibility Summit.
The event which will be staged in June under the patronage of General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defence Minister, and is supported by Shell, Dubai Development and Investment Authority (DDIA), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), will serve as a forum for the region's key industry leaders, government officials and
representatives of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to discuss the necessity and benefits of implementing CSR, while outlining the frameworks in which to do so.
"Middle Eastern business leaders are becoming increasingly aware that CSR is not just a passing trend, but is vital to the continued viability and success of enterprises in the region," said Christianna Tsiterou, Conference Manager, IIR Middle East.
The main topics to be examined at this year's event will include the obligations and opportunities that corporate social responsibility presents and measuring its cost and benefits, business regulations in the Middle East and the mounting pressure on corporations to account for their environmental and social performance. In a nutshell, there will be no hiding for irresponsible business!
"Business in this region need to realise that their responsibilities towards the communities in which they work should be at the top of their agenda," said Zeyad Al Majed, Manager Policy Development, DDIA. ?A number of companies in this region take the concept of CSR very seriously and are making valuable and lasting contributions to society. "However, we want companies to regard corporate social responsibility as a business principle. They need to realise that by implementing socially responsible and sustainable programmes that bring long term benefits to society and raise the standard of living, they are also helping to make their businesses sustainable long term," added Al Majed.
