The CEO of Sabban Property Investments (SPI) Issam Al Sabban has signed in to support the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) in a bid to further strengthen its CSR initiatives and demonstrate leadership in responsible business practices within its sphere of influence.

Al Sabban’s signatory was acknowledged during the launch of the GCC Global Compact Network held recently at the Dusit Dubai and organised by Emirates Environmental Group (EEG).

The launch, which was held under the patronage of Crown Prince of Dubai and chairman of Dubai Executive Council Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum was attended by executive director, UNGC, George Kell in addition to more than 200 high profile delegates from governments, dignitaries, business leaders and key representatives of civil society and the academic sectors.

The UNGC is the largest CSR network in the world and was initiated by former secretary-general of the UN Kofi Annan as a platform to engage the private sector in positive global corporate practices.

The Global Compact has encouraged thousands of influential global businesses to implement corporate strategies tackling human rights, labour, environment, transparency and anti-corruption issues.

Signatories of the compact are expected to submit an annual report detailing progress they have made in at least one of the four areas. The launch of the local GCC network raises hopes that more regional enterprises will be encouraged to act in accordance with the UNGC’s ten principles for sustainable and socially responsible corporate practice.

“Business leaders have a newfound responsibility in modern society and that is to communicate and demonstrate real intentions to improve the conditions we work in, it is no longer acceptable to concentrate solely on the bottom line. The impact of organisations of all sizes, affects far more than just local economy. Today we must concentrate on a ‘triple-bottom-line’ of profit, people and the planet,” said Al Sabban.

Prior to signing the UNGC, SPI were already one of the founding members of the EEG’s CSR network - the first CSR network in the Middle East. SPI’s CSR initiative to date include various environmentally-focused projects around the globe, SPI is a carbon neutral company and have created the first carbon neutral development in the Middle East – The Sabban Towers on the Pearl Qatar.

In addition to being one of the founding members of the Emirates Green Building Council, SPI are also corporate members of the Emirates Wildlife Society - World Wildlife Fund (EWS-WWF), and have recently participated in the organisations ‘Save the Ghaf Tree Campaign’, EEG’s - ‘Plant a Million Tree Campaign’ and teacher’s workshop has also witnessed strong support from the developer in recent months. – TradeArabia News Service