The Pearl Initiative, a non-profit organisation focused on corporate accountability and transparency in the Gulf region, convened regional business leaders and students for a series of virtual and in-person business pledge sessions throughout 2022. The sessions brought together experienced business leaders with young future leaders across the Gulf region to promote the importance of adopting globally recognised governance standards.
The Business Pledge Sessions, attended by over 180 students and a host of senior executives from Pearl Initiative's corporate partners and other reputable regional companies, highlighted the private sector's role in promoting responsible and sustainable growth based on good corporate governance practices across the Gulf region. The sessions focused on key areas such as setting targets for sustainable and responsible growth, diversity and inclusion, and collaborations and partnerships, providing students with the opportunity to engage with business leaders and learn how to implement good governance principles as future entrepreneurs.
In two separate sessions involving students from Higher Colleges of Technology in Dubai, UAE, Raji Hattar, Chief Sustainability Officer at Aramex, gave an overview of the organisation's global sustainability strategy. "At Aramex, we have a stakeholders' view, meaning we focus on the wellbeing of our people, customers, investors, suppliers and partners, regulators, our community and environment. Our sustainability strategy is built on three pillars: education and youth empowerment, entrepreneurship and climate change and the environment, and we endeavour to act for impact."
Addressing students from the University of Bahrain, Polytechnic Bahrain, Ahlia University and Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance, Jaleel Ghani, Corporate Ethics and Compliance General Manager at stc Group, shared his knowledge of the code of ethics, which is essential in outlining the company's commitment to stakeholders. He said, "Research shows that a culture grounded with integrity is an enabler of corporate strategy, reducing misconduct instances, increasing employee productivity, improving reputation and goodwill and reducing business losses. The code of ethics forms the basis of what is expected from the organisation; however, developing a culture of integrity across the organisation will create a lasting impact and value for shareholders."
