Earlier this month, the launch of the Environment Endowment Fund (EEF) initiative was announced in light of 2017 being declared the ‘Year of Giving’ in the UAE. The Mohammed Bin Rashid Global Centre for Endowment Consultancy (MBRGCEC) and the Emirates Wildlife Society in association with WWF (EWS-WWF), are proud see a very positive response to this joint initiative, from both corporates and the government. Within a week of the EEF launching, it’s first partner - the Union National Bank (UNB) – is officially on board and has received the Dubai Endowment sign in recognition of its support.
Mohammed Nasr Abdeen, CEO at UNB said: ““We are really happy to be the first partner to join the Environment Endowment Fund. This joint initiative by MBRGCEC and EWS-WWF, is a first-of-its-kind endowment to support the environment and is strongly aligned with UNBs’ CSR initiatives. UNB has continually supported initiatives and activities that focus on awareness and creating behavioural change with regards to environment and climate change amongst consumers and bank employees. UNB employees have participated in numerous initiatives with EWS-WWF for the past several years.
It is worth mentioning that UNB recently also signed the “Dubai Declaration on Sustainable Finance” organized by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) Global Roundtable and the Central Bank of the UAE, in support for the finance sector to contribute to the UAE’s transformation into a green economy and global sustainable development. ”
Laila Mostafa Abdullatif, Deputy Director General at EWS-WWF said: “We have had a long-standing relationship with UNB who have been our corporate partners for six years. As part of our Corporate Membership Programme, UNB directly supported work across all our conservation initiatives, including Climate Change & Energy, Marine, Terrestrial, and Awareness and Education.. We were delighted to hear from UNB as soon as we launched EEF and look forward embark on a new journey with them which we hope will bring the UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s, vision to life …to promote the culture of giving back to the community and enhance the spirit of loyalty to one’s country in 2017”.
EEF is following the ‘Global Vision for Endowment’, which is driven by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to revive the practice of endowment through innovative applications. The Dubai Endowment sign demonstrates a company’s contribution to the vision of the country and gives privilege for the private sector in procurement with Government of Dubai. Companies are encouraged to communicate directly with EWS-WWF to present their efforts and be considered to attain the sign.
Dr. Hamad Al Hammady, Secretary-General of the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Centre for Endowment Consultancy stated: "The Innovative endowment, part of the Global Vision for Endowments, which was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has opened a wide door to the development of communities. Thus, we are keen to search for social needs that can be supported by endowment. We hope that the environment endowment will attract lots of companies willing to support environment programmes and research. We hope that the environment endowment presented by UNB will be a model for other banks and companies to consider innovative endowment.”
The Secretary General of the Centre said that the website - www.MBRgcec.ae is ready to receive enquiries from all interested individuals and organizations wishing to make a positive difference for our environment and support the Environmental Endowment Fund.
To contact EWS-WWF directly, visit the website (http://uae.panda.org/) or email Dima Najim, Project Manager – Sustainable Funding, on dnajim@ewswwf.ae