Sharjah: The opening day of the 8th Sharjah Investment Forum (SIF 2025) convened international experts for a high-level panel titled ‘Green is the New Gold: Competitive Advantage through Sustainable Investment’ to examine how sustainability is transforming the foundations of economic competitiveness.
According to Emirates News Agency, the discussion was moderated by Jacopo Dettoni, Chief Editor of the Financial Times’ fDi Intelligence and member of the WIC Executive Board, and brought together leading voices from academia, finance, trade, and international labour to demonstrate how green growth creates both profit and resilience. Dettoni opened the session by challenging speakers to assess whether ‘green growth’ could truly translate into competitive advantage rather than compliance.
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Professor Raekwon Chung, Ambassador of Climate Change and Board Member of the Ban Ki-Moon Foundation, highlighted the critical role of consumer engagement in the climate movement. He argued that consumers, not governments, are responsible for emissions and shared examples of entrepreneurs turning sustainability into profitability.
Professor Lisa Sachs, Executive Director of the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment (CCSI), emphasized the challenges of financing sustainable infrastructure in developing economies. She pointed out Africa’s significant yet underutilized solar potential and urged multilateral partners to employ guarantees and blended-finance tools to facilitate projects.
Roslyn Ng’eno, Senior Investment Expert at the AfCFTA Secretariat, discussed the integration of sustainability within the African Continental Free Trade Area’s legal framework. The Protocol on Investment mandates alignment with climate-sensitive policies and green industrial zones, marking sustainability as a definitive strategy for competitiveness.
Rie Vejs Kjeldgaard from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) addressed the labour aspect, highlighting initiatives that create jobs through green growth. She cited examples of projects in Oman and Brazil that demonstrate the potential for green growth to generate employment opportunities, particularly for women, small farmers, and youth.
Hani Idris, Board Member of the Islamic Development Bank Group (IDB), underscored the importance of risk mitigation in attracting sustainable investment in emerging markets. He stressed the need for guarantees, risk-sharing mechanisms, and political-risk insurance to overcome barriers such as credit and currency risks.
The panel concluded that sustainability is not merely a moral obligation but a strategic business advantage. The evidence presented, ranging from Mongolia’s organic cashmere to Africa’s renewable corridors, supports the notion that green investment can yield both ethical and economic benefits. Dettoni concluded that regions embracing green innovation would lead the next wave of global competitiveness.
Organised by the Sharjah FDI Office (Invest in Sharjah) in partnership with the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA) and the UAE Ministry of Investment, the two-day event is being held at the Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre. The 2025 edition, staged concurrently with the World Investment Conference (WIC) for the first time, features more than 130 international speakers and 160 specialised sessions, and is expected to draw over 10,000 participants from around the world.