Launch of UAE's first Environmental Endowment

As the UAE officially marks 2017 as ‘The Year of Giving’, The Mohammed Bin Rashid Global Centre for Endowment Consultancy (MBRGCEC) and the Emirates Wildlife Society in association with WWF (EWS-WWF) – part of the world’s leading conservation organization – start off the year with the launch of a first-of-its-kind initiative to support environment through endowment. This initiative is following the ‘Global Vision for Endowment’, which was launched 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. It is aligned with the vision declared by the UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan to promote the culture of giving back to the community and enhance the spirit of loyalty to one’s country in 2017.

According to this initiative, EWS-WWF will specify the private sector companies willing to support environment programs sustainably so they meet the criteria to be eligible for the Dubai Endowment Sign in coordination with MBRGCEC. Companies can communicate directly with EWS-WWF to present their efforts and be considered to attain the sign. This sign demonstrates the company’s contribution to the vision of the country and gives privilege for the private sector in procurement with Government of Dubai as per the directives of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.

The environment endowment initiative aims at strengthening public awareness of the importance of environment programmes, and encouraging companies to initiate their corporate social responsibility to support initiatives, studies, and research in the field of environment. Positive participation of the private sector and social figures are expected so as to translate the vision of Sheikh Khalifa which marks 2017 as The Year of Giving in the UAE.

Laila Mostafa Abdullatif, Deputy Director General at EWS-WWF said: “The UAE has a rich natural heritage as well as a history of protecting it. It is our collective duty as residents to help preserve our environment so our children and future generations can enjoy good and healthy lives. We will work in the coming period to attract supporters to be part of our innovative endowment and thus to contribute to the development of society through environmental support. We encourage companies willing to participate to reach out directly to us, and help us bring to life the first pillar of The Year of Giving which aims at creating a sense of community responsibility in the private sectors so as to fulfil their role in serving the community and contribute in the developmental march of the country.”

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 programs and research. Although participation in this initiative is considered as CSR, we provide a number of benefits to companies receiving the Dubai Endowment Sign. This includes media and marketing campaigns, promoting the efforts by using the endowment sign in all types of communication including websites, forms, buildings and others. Most importantly, the sign gives privilege to companies in Dubai Government contracts as per directives by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.”

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.