• Philanthropic funding serves as risk capital for early-stage climate solutions, facilitating the expansion of inclusive climate initiatives, and paving the way for private sector involvement in bridging existing gaps.

UAE:, In collaboration with the Strategic Philanthropy Initiative (SPI) at NYU Abu Dhabi, the Pearl Initiative, a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting corporate accountability and transparency in the Gulf region, and the Circle, a peer-to-peer network for institutional and individual donors, convened experts for a forum titled 'The Role of Strategic Philanthropy in Climate Change Solutions.' Held in Abu Dhabi, the forum illuminated the critical intersection of philanthropy and climate action by facilitating robust dialogue on the indispensable role philanthropy plays in the global fight against climate change, offering actionable insights into strategically financing climate change mitigation efforts, in alignment with COP28. The event brought together the region's most prominent philanthropists, climate action investors, and industry experts from diverse sectors, uniting their expertise to drive meaningful change.

The event featured a high-profile panel discussion with accomplished philanthropists and industry experts actively engaged in climate-related initiatives. The panel featured Laila Abdullatif, Director General of Emirates Nature – WWF, as well as Ayla Bajwa, Senior Vice President of Group Sustainability at DP World, and was moderated by Antonios Vouloudis, Director of Sustainability and Stewardship at NYU Abu Dhabi. The discussion centred on the role of philanthropy in expediting climate action by enhancing the scale and accessibility of climate finance. The panel delved into best practices in strategic philanthropy, investment in climate solutions for frontline and vulnerable communities, the mobilisation of private capital for inclusive climate action, and the current and future trends in climate philanthropy, particularly in relation to technology and innovation.

Following the session, the gathering split into various specialised, expert-facilitated workshops addressing technical and industry-specific topics. Led by AVPN and Dalberg, the first workshop focused on ‘Barriers and Opportunities for Climate Philanthropy’, reflecting on lessons from Asia.  The second workshop, ‘Innovative Finance in Philanthropy: Scaling Nature-Based Solutions’ was led by Global Ventures, and the final workshop, ‘Integrating Inclusion in Climate Philanthropy’ was facilitated by NYU Abu Dhabi expert faculty.

Laila Abdullatif, Director General of Emirates Nature – WWF commented: “As we approach the crucial COP28 summit, it is evident that addressing the global climate crisis is a collective responsibility. Achieving impactful action demands the commitment of individuals, organisations, and the private sector worldwide. Philanthropy, with its potential to drive transformative change, can play a vital role in our shared efforts to combat climate change and create a sustainable future for all.”

Discussions also highlighted the growing awareness of the direct and detrimental impacts of climate change on both the environment and vulnerable communities. According to ClimateWorks (2022), contributions toward climate-related causes reached an estimated $7-12 billion in 2021, and in recent years, there has been a significant surge in philanthropic engagement and investments, specifically targeted at climate change mitigation strategies and initiatives.

Anissa Punjani, Programme Manager of the Governance in Philanthropy Programme at the Pearl Initiative said: "We are delighted to join forces with NYU Abu Dhabi's Strategic Philanthropy Initiative for the Climate Philanthropy Forum. This collaborative endeavour offers a crucial platform for bringing together top industry experts and philanthropic leaders, to harness the immense potential of strategic philanthropy for climate action. As the UAE prepares to host COP28, the forum will underscore the immense potential of philanthropy in addressing the climate crisis.”         

Antonios Vouloudis said: “This Climate Philanthropy Forum recognises the need to convene stakeholders from both the private and public sectors, across industries, to create space for generative, proactive, and informed conversations about climate philanthropy. The panel discussion and workshop sessions allow for an exchange of ideas and the formation of valued partnerships. The continued collaborative partnership between NYU Abu Dhabi, the SPI, and the Pearl Initiative reflects our shared commitment to the advancement of strategic philanthropy and its multiple intersections, including climate action.  As a proud academic partner to the COP28 presidency contributing to the UAE’s hosting of COP28, NYUAD is committed to providing resources to establish a culture of climate awareness and stewardship that will help drive sustainable growth in Abu Dhabi, the UAE, and the MENA region.

Bringing together influential stakeholders to explore ways to harness philanthropy's potential for expediting climate action, the forum provided a platform for knowledge sharing, exchanging best practices, fostering relationships, developing forthcoming initiatives, and increased investments in climate solutions. These endeavours align closely with the overarching objective of COP28, which is to leverage finance, technology, and innovation to safeguard vulnerable communities and ensure inclusivity.

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About the Pearl Initiative

The Pearl Initiative is the Gulf region’s leading independent, non-profit organisation working to promote the business case for a corporate culture of accountability and transparency. The organisation was established in 2010 by regional business leaders in cooperation with the United Nations Office for Partnerships. The Pearl Initiative is the only private, non-profit Gulf business network to receive special consultative status from the United Nations Economic and Social Council. The Pearl Initiative runs a series of corporate governance-related programmes, including Anti-Corruption Best Practices, Diversity in Business Leadership, Governance in MSMEs, Governance in Family Firms, Governance in Tech, and Governance in Philanthropy. The organisation also conducts locally relevant research, hosts workshops and executive education training sessions, and convenes business leaders, policymakers, students, and non-profit executives to encourage a proactive approach to implementing best practices in the workplace across the Gulf region.

With a growing network of over 40 regional and international partners, the Pearl Initiative continues to strive to be the leading business-led action-oriented platform to advance corporate governance as a key driver of competitiveness, job creation, and sustainable economic growth across the Gulf region.

The Pearl Initiative set up the Circle, a peer-to-peer network for institutional and individual donors connected to the Middle East to help philanthropists do more with their giving. Circlemena.org provides specialist resources and content to support this network, inform and inspire better giving, and help deepen relationships and catalyse connections among members of the network. 

For more information, please visit www.pearlinitiative.org and check out our Social Media Channels: @PearlInitiative on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter and @ThePearlInitiative on LinkedIn and Instagram.

About The Circle

Circle is a peer-to-peer network for institutional and individual donors connected to the Middle East looking to do more with their giving. The Circle network was established by and is jointly powered by the Pearl Initiative and Philanthropy Age. www.circlemena.org provides specialist resources and content to support this network, inform and inspire better giving, and help deepen relationships and catalyse connections among members of the network. 

Users can register interest in joining the Circle network and community through the site and subscribe to the Circle newsletter.  Membership to the Circle is free of cost, and benefits include access to exclusive workshops, roundtables, and networking opportunities, for members to share ideas, ask questions, and find new pathways to action. The network is a vibrant community where funders can learn, connect with peers, and explore synergies for collaboration.

This year, the Circle convened workshops on strategic philanthropy, impact investment, and measurement. Expert facilitators hosted these exclusive events from 21/64, the Mulago Foundation, and the Center for Effective Philanthropy, among others. The events featured a range of international keynote speakers, including Hadi Partovi, Founder of Code.org; Sara Ojeh, Ethos Philanthropy Founder and Director; and Shainoor Khoja, impact investment thought leader.

Visit www.circlemena.org, here. If you are interested in becoming a member, register on the site.

About the SPI at NYUAD

The Strategic Philanthropy Initiative (SPI) at NYU Abu Dhabi is the first academic and community-based platform to shape a dynamic and strategic practice of philanthropy within the UAE and across the Gulf and broader Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The SPI was established through a four-year framework agreement between NYUAD and Emirati businessman and social entrepreneur Badr Jafar, who will support this initiative throughout its formative years.

About NYU Abu Dhabi 
NYU Abu Dhabi is the first comprehensive liberal arts and research campus in the Middle East to be operated abroad by a major American research university. NYU Abu Dhabi has integrated a highly selective program with majors in the sciences, engineering, social sciences, arts, and humanities with a world center for advanced research. Its campus enables students to succeed in an increasingly interdependent world, and to advance cooperation and progress on humanity’s shared challenges. NYU Abu Dhabi’s high-achieving students have come from some 125 countries and speak over 100 languages. Together, NYU's campuses in New York, Abu Dhabi, and Shanghai form the backbone of a unique global university, giving faculty and students opportunities to experience varied learning environments and immersion in other cultures at one or more of the numerous study-abroad sites NYU maintains on six continents.