Under the Patronage of H.E. Engr. Sheikh Salem bin Sultan bin Saqr Al-Qasimi To Celebrate Environmental Achievements of 2018
Monday, 04 March 2019: Emirates Environmental Group (EEG), the country’s pioneer environmental NGO hosted its Annual Gala Dinner to recognise the dedicated stakeholders and celebrate its long lasting partnerships. The momentous event aimed to acknowledge the joint accomplishments of public and private sector entities in maximising sustainable practices, under the meaningful year of 2019 as declared by the visionary leadership of the United Arab Emirates as the “Year of Tolerance”. EEG was born 28 years ago on the soils of this dynamic and great land, inspired by the founding father’s vision and strong mission on the conservation of our surroundings and the precious natural resources of the country. As a United Nations accredited Organisation, the event perfectly encapsulated EEG’s effort to implement UN SDG no 17, which highlights the importance of effective partnerships to achieve sustainable development.
The beautiful city view open expanse of Al Habtoor Palace LXR Hotels & Resorts Dubai Canal, welcomed distinguished guests including the Patron & Guest of Honour, H.E. Eng. Sheikh Salem bin Sultan bin Saqr Al-Qasimi, Chairman of Department of Civil Aviation, Ras Al Khaimah, and Honorary Member of EEG, H.E. Dr. Dena Assaf – United Nations Resident Coordinator to the UAE, amongst several members of the diplomatic corps of different countries, CEO’s of companies and senior government representatives.
The meaningful event was was sponsored by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority as the Diamond Sponsor, Wasl as a Special Sponsor, McDonald’s UAE and Dutco Construction Co. (L.L.C). as Gold Sponsors and Chalhoub Group as the Silver Sponsor. The Arabia CSR Network came on board as the Sustainability Partner.
H.E. Eng. Sheikh Salem bin Sultan bin Saqr Al-Qasimi expressed his pleasure at being among everyone as “a proud family member of our beloved Emirates Environmental Group under tonight’s theme of “One World, One Family.” Sheikh Salem said, “Our family focuses on educating and inspiring future generations on environmental preservation to help save our planet. Being the year of tolerance, in our family, we are breaking the barriers of race, creed and where we come from to truly become one family. One Family committed to the preservation of our One World.”
The evening marked the celebration of EEG’s work, highlighting the milestones it managed to cross in the year of 2018. The first professional working group in the country to design year-round environmental programmes for corporates, academia and families alike, EEG is a go-to organisation for entities and individuals, who wish to contribute to the country’s path towards sustainability. Starting its long journey in environmental action in 1991, today the EEG with its wide network of entities is represented in various international platforms as a leading civil society organisation in the Arab Region.
The key environmental successes and highlights of 2018 were shared by EEG Chairperson, Mrs. Habiba Al Mar’ashi. Addressing the guests, she said “Indeed, Tolerance is the essence of our theme this evening, which is, ‘One World, One Family’ The theme reflects EEG’s motto; – (Together for a better Environment). Together, is the key word that binds us as a family and as a world without barriers. In creating this fabric of togetherness, Tolerance is the thread that will weave safety, stability and happiness into the lives of people across the world. Without tolerance, safety, stability and happiness, we will not be able to achieve economic development, environmental sustainability and societal progress. With Tolerance, we can hope to build the world as one family that shares with each other the benefices of the planet, where future generations continue to understand, empathise with and support each other’s needs and aspirations.”
In the Year of Zayed, EEG managed to mitigate 4,573 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions, saved 37,046 cubic meters of landfill space, achieved efficiency equaling 32,506 British Thermal Units of energy, and saved 24,901 trees from being felled to produce paper. All this was possible through EEG’s waste management campaigns to recycle Aluminium cans, paper, plastic, glass, toners and mobile phones.
EEG’s educational projects for 2018, involved over 68,304 students and teachers from 6 Arab countries. The 2018 Clean Up UAE national campaign, organised by EEG, further brought together 24,195 volunteers, who collected 40,700 Kg of waste from numerous sites across the seven Emirates.
H.E. Dr. Dena Assaf – United Nations Resident Coordinator to the UAE in her Key Note speech said “The work being carried out by organisations like the Emirates Environment Group is crucial. By reaching out to and engaging different sectors in society, it is instilling a mindset of respect towards the environment and awareness of the great challenges that lie ahead. This inevitably will lead to actions and changes in attitudes at all levels, be it with youth, be it with business leaders, or just individuals like you and me.”
The Annual Gala Dinner witnessed the official awarding of 55 uniquely designed and crafted crystals to the corporate and government sponsors and supporters of EEG’s programmes for their corporate citizenship, social responsibility and spirit of partnership in 2018.
In its continuous effort to demonstrate a deep commitment with regards to practicing the values it preaches, EEG organised its Gala Dinner as a Carbon Neutral Event as is customary whereby the resultant 5.83 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions have been offset with the help of its corporate member Farnek.
Every single attendee went home with a sapling of Ghaf tree put nicely in a container decorated with the theme of the evening and the symbol of the year of Tolerance. They were also given Honey samples from the Ghaf tree very kindly prvided by ANHB to symbolise the natural production and food security.
The highly successful 22nd Annual Corporate Gala Dinner, an evening of appreciation, entertainment and networking, served as an inspiration to continue with the engagement of the local corporate sector in the efforts of EEG to maximse sustainable development. All the support and encouragement that was expressed during the marvelous evening has once again proven that EEG’s hardwork and effort to build new partnerships has bonded very well with both the private and government sector.