The UAE launches at “Davos” the Ecomark Framework to certify environmentally friendly small and medium-sized enterprises worldwide.
The United Arab Emirates has launched the “EcoMark” initiative, which is considered the first sustainability accreditation framework dedicated to small and medium-sized enterprises worldwide.
It was designed to support the competitiveness of these enterprises in green economic sectors by simplifying and standardizing the regulatory processes associated with setting sustainability standards globally.
- A platform for the accreditation of sustainable small and medium-sized enterprises.
“The EcoMark will assist in exploring new global markets.”
The initiative drives the transition towards a low-carbon economy.
Meeting the growing demand for sustainable products and services
The initiative includes a comprehensive set of resources to help small and medium-sized enterprises achieve the “Ecomark” degree. This includes guidance on requirements, necessary documents, and a roadmap to progress from basic to advanced sustainability levels.
The process of certification will be standardized and there will be a full eligibility criterion for accredited bodies in the participating countries. The framework will be overseen by a central agency based in the United Arab Emirates.
Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade in the United Arab Emirates, announced this initiative during the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum held in Davos, Switzerland.
The session, titled “A New Trade System: Inclusive Growth for All,” included ministers, policy makers, and academics who discussed ways to improve the integration of less developed countries, small and medium enterprises, and women and youth-led companies in global trade.
The session also highlighted the need to support start-up companies in keeping up with the growing demand for products and services that adhere to green standards.
Second Al-Ziyoudi emphasized, during the launch of the initiative, that small and medium enterprises play a pivotal role in driving the transition towards a low-carbon economy. However, the contributions of these small and medium enterprises, managed and led by underrepresented groups, including women and youth, cannot be unlocked without targeted support specifically designed to alleviate time constraints, costs, and resources associated with environmental compliance.
He stated that small and medium-sized enterprises represent approximately 90% of global companies, and it is important to ensure their full access to the global trading system if we want to achieve our vision of a more sustainable and just global economy.
These enterprises are also important change makers, as they possess the necessary flexibility to lead sustainability across various value chains.
They will be aided by the development of the globally recognized “EcoMark” accreditation, a platform that allows them to explore new markets around the world, compete in them, and meet the growing demand for sustainable products and services.
Al Zeyoudi explained that this announcement builds on the progress made on the first day of trade held during the COP conference, which took place in Dubai last month. The United Arab Emirates hosted the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the International Chamber of Commerce, and the World Trade Organization for a series of important discussions on trade’s contribution to addressing the climate change challenge.
As the Chair of the Thirteenth Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization, which Abu Dhabi will host in February, he emphasized that the adoption of “EcoMark” confirms the UAE’s commitment to a global system that includes everyone and seeks to provide full and fair access to the global trading system.
It should be noted that the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in 2024 will be held in Davos under the theme “Rebuilding Trust.”
The meeting aims to gather government leaders and business sectors to engage in constructive and forward-thinking dialogues and to help find solutions through collaboration between the public and private sectors.
