Ras al khaimah: The Arabia CSR Network concluded the 18th cycle of the Arabia CSR and Sustainability Awards with a ceremony held last night under the patronage and in the presence of Sheikh Salem bin Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of Ras Al Khaimah Civil Aviation and Member of the Executive Council of the Government of Ras Al Khaimah, during which responsible business leaders from across the Arab region were honoured.
According to Emirates News Agency, in her opening speech, Habiba Al Mar'ashi, Founder and CEO of the Arabia CSR Network, highlighted the evolution of the award since its launch in 2008 from a simple recognition programme for GCC institutions to a regional benchmark for sustainability. The award has expanded from three to 16 categories, covering various sectors, reflecting the region's growing commitment to responsible business practices.
Al Mar'ashi noted that this year's winners have charted a new course in sustainable business, with 41 percent of the applicants being new organisations. She emphasized the strength of the award's criteria, aligning with international sustainable development frameworks, and its independent judging process that provides participants with detailed feedback.
She reported that the current cycle received 141 applications from 109 organisations across 10 Arab countries, with many first-time participants achieving top rankings, demonstrating progress in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance. There was a slight decrease in participation from the financial sector, indicating a shift in sustainability leadership.
The ceremony recognized winners across 16 categories, including Dubai Electricity and Water Authority in the Large Government Institutions category and ADNOC Distribution in the Energy Sector category. In the private sector, Les Eaux Min©rales d'Oulm¨s won in the Large Business category, while Transworld Group secured the Small Business category.
The year 2025 was marked by a focus on carbon neutrality and circular economy models. There was a notable increase in sustainability reports submitted, with 70 reports adhering to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards, reflecting a growing culture of transparency and accountability.
The Arabia CSR Network expressed gratitude to its partners and sponsors, including Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company (GPIC) as Platinum Sponsor, McDonald's UAE as Silver Sponsor, and others. The award has honoured 394 winners from 14 Arab countries and received 1,781 applications, continuing to promote excellence in sustainability and ESG culture in the region.