Beirut, Lebanon (Enmaeya News) — The Third Arab Conference on Social Responsibility is underway Tuesday at the Union of Arab Chambers headquarters in Beirut. The event is organized by the Union of Arab Chambers in cooperation with HOPE MCF and other international partners.

The conference focuses on the social responsibility of the private sector and its role in sustainable development. A major highlight is the launch of the Arab Social Responsibility Index, a tool created to measure the social and environmental performance of institutions across the Arab world.

Bahrain’s Minister of Social Development, Osama bin Saleh Al Alawi, who chairs the 44th session of the Council of Arab Ministers of Social Affairs, is attending the conference.

He emphasized the importance of strengthening partnerships with the private sector to support social protection programs and reach sustainable development goals.

Minister Al Alawi said, “Ongoing collaborations, such as the ‘Living Independently’ program for persons with disabilities and initiatives to help productive families transform small businesses into ventures that drive economic and social progress, are key examples.”

He added that there is a need for “better tools and data systems to enhance corporate social responsibility across the Arab world.”

The Arab Social Responsibility Index, developed through extensive surveys of Arab companies, aims to serve as a “strategic compass” guiding companies toward responsible practices that make a real difference socially and environmentally. The index also provides a unified reference for accountability and continuous improvement.

This conference follows successful editions in 2022 and 2023 and comes at a time of major economic and social change in the Arab region. Organizers say it aims to redefine the private sector’s role in growth and development with a focus on transparency, improved performance, and stronger partnerships.