Abu dhabi: The UAE Sustainability Fellowship celebrated the graduation of its third cohort, in the presence of Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister of State for Government Development and the Future. The cohort brought together 32 outstanding professionals from the public and private sectors, who completed an intensive programme focused on empowering positive impact makers across the UAE community and preparing a new generation of sustainability leaders.
According to Emirates News Agency, the Fellowship was supported by Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), the programme's strategic partners, through the Chief Sustainability Officers Network and in collaboration with the Posterity Institute, as part of a shared commitment to developing sustainability leadership in the UAE. Ohood Al Roumi stated that the efforts of the UAE Sustainability Fellowship to build a new generation of impact makers in sustainability reflect the UAE Government's focus on investing in national talent and equipping them with the necessary skills and tools.
Al Roumi emphasized that the initiative aligns with the government's focus on results and quality outcomes, within a comprehensive vision centred on people and the future. She highlighted that cultivating new generations of sustainability leaders is a government priority, supporting efforts to create positive societal impact and ensure a better future for coming generations. The UAE Sustainability Fellowship has become a platform for building capabilities, developing future skills, and empowering national talent to lead tangible change in sustainability.
The third cohort approached sustainability as an integrated system connecting industry, society, technology, and people. The programme covered themes including building resilient industries and communities, leveraging technology and innovation, the role of artificial intelligence, community leadership, and systems thinking to address interconnected challenges.
Dr. Yasar Jarrar, Secretary-General of the Chief Sustainability Officers Network, noted that true sustainability is measured by the depth of impact in people's lives. He emphasized the cohort's focus on understanding sustainability through outcomes and genuine impact, including new jobs, thriving communities, protected water resources, and a safeguarded environment.
Dr. Elham Chehaimi, CSO Network Manager, remarked that discussing water security, job opportunities, and social wellbeing within sustainability is a return to the core, emphasizing that sustainability centres on people. Emirates Global Aluminium joined ADNOC as a strategic partner of the Fellowship, highlighting the need for combined efforts across sectors to achieve sustainability goals and strengthen the UAE's global competitiveness.
Ibrahim Al Zubi, Group Chief Sustainability Officer of ADNOC, expressed that sustainability underpins ADNOC's approach to delivering energy responsibly and creating long-term value, supporting a new generation of leaders ready to make a lasting impact. Najeeba Al Jabri, Chief ESG and Sustainability Officer at Emirates Global Aluminium, highlighted that sustainability in heavy industries is a strategic choice that differentiates products and strengthens competitiveness.
The UAE Sustainability Fellowship, a pioneering initiative led by the Government Development and the Future Office, aims to build a network of sustainability leaders capable of advancing the national sustainability agenda. The Fellowship is implemented in partnership with the Posterity Institute and the Chief Sustainability Officers Network.