In 2015, the United Nations launched the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Agenda ratified by 197 Nations revolves around 17 Sustainable Goals (SDG's) presented as a plan of action for people, planet, and prosperity. The SDGs balance and integrate the three dimensions of sustainable development: the social, economic, and environmental. By ratifying this Agenda, Nations, including the UAE, pledged to work tirelessly for its full implementation by 2030. Moving away from the dominant linear "take-make-waste" economy towards a circular economy- "reduce, reuse, recycle"- has gained increasing prominence as a key solution to accelerate the 2030 Agenda implementation. Circular economy holds particular promise for achieving multiples SDGs by reconciling economic value creation with planetary boundaries.

The 1st International Forum on Sustainable Development and Sustainable Innovations seeks to bring together scholars, business leaders, and experts to discuss how businesses in the UAE can seize new opportunities and gain competitive advantage through circular economy solutions and how the circular economy can contribute to achieving the UN Sustainable Goals. In the forum's sideline, the five top runners' teams of the "Youth Sustainability Competition" will showcase their projects, and a public vote will be conducted to select the winner.

 

The symposium covers four main themes:

1- UN Agenda 2030 – Sustainable Development Goals

2- Circular Economy

3- New models for energy efficiency

4- Educate for Sustainable Development: "Youth Sustainability Competition"