The forum aimed at tackling social challenges in Abu Dhabi by co-developing innovative solutions

The Department of Community Development (DCD), Abu Dhabi, organised the Social Sector Business Forum on November 21, 2022, to bridge the gap between the social, private, and third sector to address social challenges collaboratively in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. 

The event, which was held at the St. Regis Hotel Corniche in Abu Dhabi, is a strategic platform to strengthen public, private and third-sector collaborations for the social sector agenda. 

The forum aimed at enhancing the role and participation of the private and third sector to address prioritised social challenges in the Emirate in a sustainable and innovative way, focusing on four main sectors, including the government, community, third and private sectors, partners, and stakeholders. In addition, the initiative presented collaboration opportunities with industry-driven think tanks for stakeholders to support the Emirate. 

The forum further emphasised on DCD’s regulatory role towards a more inclusive, active, and cohesive society and the significant contributions made by the private and third sectors to Abu Dhabi's economic and social growth.

H.E Dr. Mugheer Al Khaili, Chairman of the Department of Community Development, said: “As we are all working hard to make a difference, individually, professionally, and collectively, it is our connecting of hands that will allow us to have a greater impact and reach. Public-Private Partnerships afford us the chance to divide the social work, where public entities can focus on the planning, policy, and regulation aspects, while the private and third sectors are empowered to enhance the quality of services and foster Social Innovation.”

H.E. Sheikha Al Hosani, Acting Executive Director of the Social Monitoring and Innovation Sector at DCD said: “The purpose of the forum is to strengthen and encourage public, private and third-sector collaborations for the social sector agenda and to acknowledge the Social Sector Business Forum as a strategic tool to foster dialogues between the public, private and third sector to tackle prioritised social challenges in the Emirate in a sustainable and innovative way, but also to showcase and celebrate collaborations that have already been secured through this important initiative.” 

The Social Sector Business Forum assembled several renowned organisations in the Emirates to shed light on topics such as sustainable housing for UAE nationals, corporate social responsibility (CSR), work-life balance, healthy ageing, and financial literacy. The event further included a discussion focused on the challenges in designing value-driven partnerships to tackle social challenges and is supported by many private and third-sector entities from the Emirate. 

Furthermore, the forum witnessed the signing of four Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which focus on addressing challenges in the community of the emirate. The first two MoUs between Miral, Family Care Authority (FCA) and Aldar Properties, focus on increasing family quality time at Yas Island and improving the unity and well-being of families. The third MoU, which was signed between Etihad and the Family Development Foundation (FDF), targets to reduce the high wedding spending behaviour of the UAE nationals. The final MoU between a private sector and Abu Dhabi Social Support Authority (SSA) proposes to upskill the unemployed and vulnerable young population of the country.