Dubai, UAE – 9 October 2025:
Oren, Asia’s leading AI-powered ESG management and reporting technology provider, in collaboration with HLB HAMT, one of the UAE’s five largest auditing and advisory firms, successfully co-hosted the inaugural Executives’ ESG Forum – Dubai Edition at the luxurious Nikki Beach Resort, Pearl Jumeirah.
Bringing Together Industry Leaders for Strategic ESG Dialogue
The invite-only event brought together more than 35 senior executives and C-suite leaders from over 12 industries, including construction, banking, oil and gas, insurance, manufacturing, beverages, education, and technology. The forum served as a high-level platform for exchanging perspectives on the UAE’s evolving ESG and sustainability landscape while exploring strategies to integrate responsible business practices into core operations.
Spotlight on UAE’s New Climate and ESG Regulations
A central focus of the forum was a briefing on the UAE’s new climate-related policies, including Federal Decree-Law No. (11) of 2024 on mandatory greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting, Cabinet Resolution No. (67) of 2024 on the regulation of the National Register for Carbon Credits, and the Central Bank of the UAE’s Sustainable Finance Guidelines. Collectively, these frameworks represent a significant step towards institutionalising sustainability reporting, accountability, and climate action across the nation’s economic sectors.
The event commenced with a keynote address by Mr Vijay Anand, Founder Partner and CEO of HLB HAMT, who highlighted the growing importance of embedding ESG considerations into long-term business strategy. His opening remarks set the tone for an afternoon of knowledge sharing and collaboration among sustainability professionals and industry leaders.
Leadership and Culture as Drivers of Sustainability Success
Throughout the sessions, experts from diverse backgrounds discussed practical approaches to operationalising sustainability within organisations. Dr Samiullah Khan, Chief Sustainability Officer at Fakhruddin Holdings, renowned for his contributions to sustainability, Net Zero, and carbon capture innovation, spoke about the importance of leadership commitment and organisational culture in achieving sustainability outcomes. He emphasised that a company’s ability to internalise an ESG-driven culture often determines its resilience and long-term value creation.
Adding a practical perspective, Mr Pankaj Chetri, former QHSE and Sustainability Leader at Mai Dubai, Almarai, and Aujan Coca-Cola Beverage Company, shared insights on translating ESG goals into measurable, on-the-ground actions. His session underscored the role of data-driven decision-making, continuous performance monitoring, and employee engagement in driving meaningful sustainability progress.
AI, Technology and Compliance at the Heart of ESG Transformation
The forum concluded with a detailed presentation on the UAE’s emerging climate regulations and corporate compliance pathways. The session, led by Ms Arooshi Dahiya, CEO of Oren, alongside Mr Jason Clement and Mr Vinod Nambiar from HLB HAMT’s ESG Consulting team, offered a comprehensive overview of reporting structures, disclosure standards, and opportunities for businesses to harness AI and technology for accurate ESG data collection and transparent reporting.
The event concluded with a networking high tea that encouraged open dialogue among participants, allowing executives to share experiences, challenges, and collaborative ideas to accelerate sustainability adoption in the region.
Looking Ahead: Expanding the ESG Dialogue Across the GCC
Buoyed by the strong participation and positive feedback, Oren and HLB HAMT announced plans to host a series of similar forums across the UAE and other GCC markets in the coming months. The initiative aims to create an ongoing platform for dialogue among corporates, regulators, and sustainability leaders, supporting organisations in navigating evolving compliance requirements and aligning with the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 vision.
