São Paulo – Latin American participation is expected at the Arab International Investor Forum (AiiF), from May 18 to 20, at the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) head office in Paris, France. The event highlights sustainable businesses and brings together project heads and investors. Pictured above, a previous edition of the event.
The organizers appointed the former president of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC), businessman Rubens Hannun, as vice president of the Board of Trustees for Relations with Latin America at the forum and expect the region to participate both as visitors and in the debates and submissions for the award. Hannun is president of H2R Pesquisas Avançadas research company, a member of the ABCC’s Advisory Board, and Tunisian honorary consul in São Paulo.
In an interview with ANBA, the founder and secretary-general of the event, Natheem Sabbah, stated Latin America’s participation is essential due to the relevant role the region currently plays in the world. He said the forum’s leaders find it challenging to comprehend the region’s needs for sustainable support in infrastructure, education, and culture.
Hannun believes it is crucial for Latin America to take its space offered for the first time. “It is a showcase for Latin American countries to Arab investors,” he said. Hannun sees an opportunity to present Latin American sustainable development projects, both for investment and for Arabs to learn about the work in the area. “Including agribusiness,” he said, recalling Latin American countries supply food to the Arab market.
The ABCC supports the AiiF. As vice president for Latin America, Hannun is in talks with the forum’s leaders to create a space for content focused on the region at the event. He mentioned it is also an excellent possibility of networking for participants, including scheduling meetings with investors. In addition, the event’s award can make winning projects stand out to Arabs. Furthermore, companies can sponsor the event.
Sabbah said the forum is different from other initiatives because it focuses on sustainability, the role of women and youth, and non-profit investments. “The real investment is in the human being,” said the secretary-general. Investments focused only on profits prevent culture, education, women’s rights, and youth strength from emerging, he said.
The AiiF was conceived to be a global platform to identify, foster, and expand sustainable investment in the Arab world and other regions. The concept is to be a beacon in the subject and connect participants with global investment opportunities, exchange knowledge and best practices, and promote networking between entrepreneurs and scholars involved in sustainability.
In its sixth edition, the forum receives around 1,200 people from 60 countries, including ministers, business and financial market executives, heads of investment promotion agencies, specialists in international investments, leaders of international organizations, academics, media representatives, and other participants.
Award
One of the forum’s highlights is the Arab Investor Award (AIA). It is a recognition of projects and people for their work on sustainability. The award does not offer financial resources; however, winners are highlighted to the investors at the event. According to Sabbah, the goal is to find talents and introduce them to interested parties, making a connection between them and investors.
The AiiF’s website states the award aims to recognize economically and environmentally responsible companies and individuals with outstanding actions in sustainable investing. The award is aimed at companies, government, and private entities; individuals; and youth. Each of the three groups is awarded in six categories: Creativity and Innovation, Investment Impact, Green Applications, Corporate Social Responsibility, Corporate Governance, and Gender Balance. There is also a special award for young entrepreneurs.
Sabbah says he is discussing with Rubens Hannun the possibility of creating a prize exclusively for Latin America in the next edition of the forum. In the meantime, however, projects and people from the region can apply for the general award of the AiiF. There is no date for the closing of applications from the region, but the organizers informed they are currently open.
The event will take place in Paris, but the headquarters of the forum’s organization is in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. The initiative was conceived by the local government and has official support. The forum has other operations, including a strategic research center.
Quick facts:
6th Arab International Investor Forum (AiiF)
May 18 to 20, 2022
UNESCO Headquarters – Paris, France
For more information about the forum and award, click here
Email: aiif@arabinvestorforum.com
Translated by Elúsio Brasileiro
