Zayed Sustainability Prize Opens Submissions for 2024 Cycle

PHILIPPINES - The Zayed Sustainability Prize, the UAE’s pioneering global award for recognizing excellence in sustainability, has officially announced that the 2024 cycle is now open for submissions. 

Submissions will be accepted until May 2, 2023 through the Prize’s online portal.  (https://entry.zayedsustainabilityprize.com/ZSPRegistration)

 

Small to medium enterprises, nonprofit organizations and high schools with sustainability solutions from the Philippines and across the world,  are invited to submit an entry for consideration in one of the five categories of Heath, Food, Energy, Water and Global High Schools.

 

The Prize’s US$3 million fund rewards winners US$600,000 in each category. The Global High Schools category is split into six world regions, with each school able to claim up to US$100,000 to start or further expand their project. The six world regions of the Global High Schools category are The Americas, Europe & Central Asia, Middle East & North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and East Asia & Pacific.

 

For the Health, Food, Energy, and Water categories, organizations should demonstrate that they are improving access to essential products or services and have a long-term vision for better living and working conditions. For the Global High Schools category, their projects should be student–led, with emphasis placed on the students being actively involved in the planning, implementation, and monitoring processes.

 

While the submission forms vary per category, core elements of each entry lie in the innovative, impactful, and inspirational ways in which the proposed technology, applications and solutions aim to improve wellbeing and sustainability. To date, the Prize has impacted the lives of over 378 million people around the world, including in Vietnam, Nepal, Sudan, Ethiopia, Maldives, and Tuvalu.

 

The Zayed Sustainability Prize has a three-stage evaluation process, beginning with the due diligence conducted on all submissions to ensure that they meet the Prize’s evaluation criteria. This identifies the qualified entries and results in the selection of eligible candidates. Following this, evaluations are undertaken by a Selection Committee consisting of category-specific panels of independent international experts. From this shortlist of candidates, the finalists are chosen and then sent to the Prize Jury who unanimously elect the winners, across all five categories. 

 

Commenting on the launch of the 2024 submissions cycle, H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Director General of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, said: “Since 2008, the Prize has, through the visionary leadership of the United Arab Emirates, facilitated the delivery of sustainable solutions to vulnerable communities, improving access to reliable and affordable energy, safe drinking water, nutritious food and quality healthcare for millions. The Zayed Sustainability Prize helps organizations and schools scale their solutions, enabling them to realize even greater impact and catalyze positive, transformational change.”

 

Winners of the 2024 Zayed Sustainability Prize will be announced at an Awards Ceremony during the COP28 Climate Summit.  For more information, visit www.ZayedSustainabilityPrize.com.

 

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Hug Photo Caption: HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates (left) embraces a representative from Gifted Students School (Iraq) for the Middle East & North Africa Global High Schools during the awards ceremony of the 2023 Zayed Sustainability Prize.

 

Group photo caption: Ten winners (front row) of the prestigious US$3 million 2023 Zayed Sustainability Prize were recently honored in ceremonies by President of the UAE His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and other heads of state, ministers, and senior-level dignitaries from the UAE and abroad. The winners are from five categories - - Health, Food, Energy, Water and Global High Schools. The winners were selected from a pool 4,538 – a record number of submissions – chosen by a panel of more than 40 experts. Over 370 million people have been impacted by the sustainability solutions and school projects since the first awards ceremony were held in 2009, with this number continuing to rapidly grow.

 

Boilerplate

 

The Zayed Sustainability Prize is the UAE’s pioneering global award in sustainability and a tribute to the legacy of the late founding father of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Established in 2008, the Zayed Sustainability Prize aims to drive sustainable development and humanitarian action by recognising and rewarding small and medium-sized enterprises, nonprofit organisations, and high schools that are delivering impactful, innovative, and inspiring solutions in the categories of Health, Food, Energy, Water and Global High Schools. In 2023, the Zayed Sustainability Prize is celebrating 15 years of delivering humanitarian impact around the globe. Through its 106 winners, the Prize has positively impacted the lives of over 378 million people across 150 countries.

 

10 Winners of the 2023 Zayed Sustainability Prize Honoured

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates – Ten international organizations were named winners of the prestigious US$3 million 2023 Zayed Sustainability Prize during the awards ceremony held yesterday (Monday), coinciding with the beginning of the 2023 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW).

The US$3 million Prize is the UAE’s pioneering global award in sustainability that recognises and rewards small and medium-sized enterprises, nonprofit organisations and high schools around the world that are delivering impactful, innovative and inspiring solutions in health, food, energy and water.

President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, President of the UAE, presented the awards to the 10 winners across five categories, in the presence of various heads of state, ministers, and other senior-level dignitaries from the UAE and abroad, in addition to past winners, and the 2023 finalists.

Attending the ceremony were H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior; H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court; H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of Abu Dhabi Executive Council; H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Advisor for Special Affairs at the Ministry of Presidential Court; Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence; along with a number of Sheikhs and senior officials.

In congratulating the winners, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed reasserted the Prize’s role as a global catalyst for sustainability and humanitarian action. He said: “The UAE continues to lead on important global initiatives at the heart of our mission to create a better future for all, both within the UAE and beyond our nation’s borders. The bold ambition of the Zayed Sustainability Prize remains at the forefront of these efforts. It creates a pathway for delivering life-changing humanitarian aid and solutions to communities around the world.”

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan underscored how this year, which marks 15 years of the Prize, will also be a historic year for the UAE as it prepares to host the 28th session of the Conference of Parties (COP 28) to the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change). Against this backdrop, this year’s awards serve as an important reminder of the need for greater international collaboration to mobilise climate action and create sustainable economic and social development opportunities across all nations, including the global south.

His Highness continued: “Over the last 15 years, the Zayed Sustainability Prize has successfully built upon the legacy of the UAE’s Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed, and carried forward his bold humanitarian vision, ensuring that the resources of our great nation are fully used to the benefit of all people. Today, the Zayed Sustainability Prize stands an internationally recognised award that mobilises innovators, social entrepreneurs and young people to accelerate positive change for our planet and all people.”

Through its 96 former winners, the Prize has transformed the lives of more than 378 million people around the world since 2008, including in Vietnam, Nepal, Sudan, Ethiopia, Maldives and Tuvalu. In the Health, Food, Energy, and Water categories, each winner receives US$600,000, while the Global High Schools category has six winners, representing six world regions, with each winner receiving up to US$100,000.

His Highness also emphasised the need to develop bright young people into the critical thinkers and sustainability leaders of tomorrow, and praised the Prize’s Global High Schools category, which empowers youth to play an active role in supporting their communities’ socio-economic development.

In the Health category, Brazil’s Associação Expedicionários da Saúde (EDS) was awarded the Prize for its Mobile Hospital Complex, which provides specialised medical and surgical care for indigenous communities geographically isolated within the Amazon. The objective of the Mobile Hospital Complex is to reach the most difficult areas in the Amazon, guaranteeing the safety and comfort of patients and excellence in the quality of services provided. Over the course of six expeditions from 2015 - 2022, the nonprofit organisation performed more than 1,900 surgeries that improved health outcomes, including improved vision after cataract surgery.

Ÿnsect from France was the Food category winner for its important work in insect-based protein and natural fertilisers. The SME produces insect protein and natural insect fertilisers at Europe’s first-of-its-kind insect factory equipped with innovative vertical farming and integrated biorefining setup. Ÿnsect processes two insect species (molitor and buffalo mealworms) into high-end, high-value ingredients for the entire food chain—plants, fish, farmed animals, pets, and humans. Ÿnsect is currently building a new factory in France and operates two other sites in France and the Netherlands. By 2025, Ÿnsect will be able to produce more than 1,500 tonnes of protein per month.

In the past five years, Ÿnsect has improved the lives of 30 million people by delivering sustainable, natural, premium nutrition products for fish farming (as an alternative fish feed to meet aquaculture’s food supply needs) and human nutrition. The demo plant currently operated by the company produces 30 tonnes of protein production per month.

In the Energy category, the Jordan-based NeuroTech developed Al-based algorithms with a blockchain-based transaction system to bring reliable energy access to refugee camps. The SME employs the concept of energy sharing by separating electrical loads into low- and high-priority streams. Thus, beneficiaries are guaranteed to receive their lifesaving energy, and extra energy goes to low-priority feeders, according to energy availability. Sophisticated energy management and control reduces electricity stress and increases consumer awareness about electricity.

During its pilot phase, NeuroTech helped deliver electrical power to more than 10,000 Syrian refugees in Azraq. By optimising energy usage and distribution, NeuroTech has helped reduce the pressure on the camp’s main hospital respiratory section by making electricity available 24/7. Patients now can use a personal nebulizer, a medical device used during the COVID-19 pandemic, and for people with a chronic breathing illness.

LEDARS (Local Environment Development and Agricultural Research Society), an NPO from Bangladesh, secured the Water category win for its integrated water resource management model that solves water scarcity issues in disaster-prone areas. Their combination of technologies help transforms communities in Bangladesh so people can have access to safe drinking water and climate smart livelihoods.

With the support of LEDARS, 5,250 bio-sands-filters, 65 pond-sand-filters, 185 rainwater harvesting systems, and 69 protective ponds were installed in communities in Bangladesh, supporting cultivation of paddies and vegetables throughout the year on lands that were previously barren. LEDARS initiatives created access to safe drinking water for at least 15,881 families. As a result of this solution, more than 12 million gallons of water have been saved.

The Chair of the Jury and former President of the Republic of Iceland, Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, said: “This year’s winners have demonstrated a new level of creativity and ambition in their solutions to tackle pressing global challenges. We are confident that these winners will provide meaningful and scalable impact in communities across the world, and in turn accelerate important climate action goals to help secure a sustainable future for all.”

H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Director General of the Zayed Sustainability Prize said: “Since our nation’s wise leadership established the Zayed Sustainability Prize 15 years ago, the Prize has become a key supporter of the UAE's vision to drive inclusive climate action and international sustainable development. By providing real-world solutions in sustainability to vulnerable communities around the world, the Prize honours Sheikh Zayed’s contribution towards social good and elevates humanity on a global scale.

“Our 106 winners are driving action to solve the world’s most pressing challenges. Through their commitment to championing positive action, millions of people who were living without access to energy, water, healthcare, or food in the developing world, now have sustainable economic and social development opportunities, including access to quality education, decent work, economic growth and improved livelihoods.”

H.E. Al Jaber added: “As the UAE prepares to host COP28 later this year, the Zayed Sustainability Prize stands as a critical reminder of the UAE’s commitment to accelerating practical solutions needed to help societies mitigate and adapt to climate change.”

Since 2013, the Prize has awarded 46 high schools under its Global High Schools category from countries around the world. Students at these schools won for their self-led project proposals that have since been implemented by the youth. Collectively, they have generated 7.2 million kWh of electricity, saved 5,700 tons of CO2 and positively impacted 427,408 people in their communities.

The recipients of the 2023 Global High School awards are Fundacion Bios Terrae - ICAM Ubate (Colombia), representing The Americas; Romain-Rolland-Gymnasium (Germany), representing Europe & Central Asia; Gifted Students School (Iraq), representing the Middle East & North Africa region; UWC East Africa - Arusha Campus (Tanzania), representing Sub-Saharan Africa; Dhaka Residential Model College (Bangladesh), representing South Asia, and finally, Kamil Muslim College (Fiji) from the East Asia & Pacific region.

The winners were selected from a pool of 4,538 – a record number of submissions – chosen by a panel of more than 40 experts. The Jury members include H.E. Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, Former President of the Republic of Iceland, UAE ministers, Sir Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin Group, Dr. Andreas Jacobs, Chairman of INSEAD, Jacobs Family Council, among others.


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The Zayed Sustainability Prize is the UAE’s pioneering global award in sustainability and a tribute to the legacy of the late founding father of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Established in 2008, the Zayed Sustainability Prize aims to drive sustainable development and humanitarian action by recognising and rewarding small and medium-sized enterprises, nonprofit organisations, and high schools that are delivering impactful, innovative and inspiring solutions in the categories of Health, Food, Energy, Water and Global High Schools. In 2023, the Zayed Sustainability Prize is celebrating 15 years of delivering humanitarian impact around the globe. Through its 96 winners, the Prize has positively impacted the lives of more than 378 million people across 150 countries.

Parkway Corporate Center Rides on the Business Growth Momentum

The Philippines made it to the top 10 alongside countries such as Japan, Singapore, United Kingdom, and China, placing third best country in 2019 to invest or do business in, according to CEOWORLD magazine.

Among the criteria, the business executives considered in ranking investment potentials were: freedom, workforce, infrastructure, quality of life, and technological readiness.

For global investors looking at the Philippines, Parkway Corporate Center—a well-planned and designed office condominium in Filinvest City, Alabang—offers a unique and appetizing opportunity to further boost the country as a business-friendly location with secured and strong financial future and high capital growth.

Situated in the high potential garden business district in the Metro South, Parkway Corporate Center automatically presents an enticing proposition for businessmen and investors venturing in the Philippines.

Increasing land values

It is located in Filinvest City—a premier central business district which has cemented its position as the new frontier in Metro Manila, commanding land values up to P378,000 per sqm net as of March 2019. It has also seen approximately 225% growth in land values over the last six years.

Moreover, its location is significant as it creates an overall refreshing environment with Filinvest City being one of the first to register for a LEED-ND (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-Neighborhood Development) V4 certification granted by the US Green Building Council.

With the entry of global brands into the city, Parkway has been offering office spaces to accommodate investors, entrepreneurs and professionals looking expand their real estate portfolio.

“The demand for office space in integrated business districts has been on an uptrend since the start of the decade. Offices here in Filinvest City enjoy the lowest vacancy rates compared to other central business districts. Demand is not only high for BPOs but also for traditional offices and headquarters” according to Sherilynne Santos, Senior Project Dev’t. Manager for this office condominium development.

As the city takes a big leap towards becoming a dynamic business hub, Santos also says, “Parkway Corporate Center buyers realize that their units will rise in value as more projects are put up in the city to address employees’ and residents’ needs for mobility and the desire to be in well-integrated live-work-play environment.”

Unique accessibility

This well-integrated live-work-play environment means business owners or investors are within proximity and have unique access to a wide-range of quality establishments: Festival Mall, Westgate Center, and Palms Country Club for retail; Botanika Nature Residences, Bristol at Parkway Place, Studio City, West Parc, and The Levels for residential options; medical institution like Asian Hospital; several educational establishments like San Beda College Alabang, Far Eastern University, and De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute. The international airport is also just a 30-minute drive away from Filinvest City.

Located where traffic congestion is not commonplace unlike other CBDs, Parkway Corporate Center is easily accessible via SLEX exit coming into Filinvest City’s Spectrum District, or Metro Skyway, Alabang Zapote Road, and Daang Hari Road. Major thorough fares also make Parkway Corporate Center a convenient workplace to a competitive and best-educated labor force from neighboring areas like Las Piñas, Parañaque, Laguna, and Cavite.

Riding on the growth

Parkway Corporate Center is an ideal business office that creates a sense of community and lends credibility, stability, and professionalism to your corporate image. Designed by top architectural firm H1 Architecture and Design, it promises to further support Filinvest City’s sustainable efforts by pursuing LEED Certification V4 to make it an energy efficient and future-ready investment for businesses.

Without a doubt, Parkway Corporate Center at Filinvest City continues to ride on the Philippines’ growth momentum for businesses and investments with its future-ready, premium grade office tower with flexible and combinable office units now ready for occupancy.

To know more about Parkway Corporate Center, visit http://www.parkwaycorporate.com/ or contact (02) 809 6517

Filinvest Alabang Inc. Wins at BCI Asia Top 10 Awards

Filinvest Alabang Inc. (FAI) was once again hailed as one of the top 10 developers in the Philippines by the prestigious BCI Asia Awards. A coveted award in the construction industry, BCI Awards is the pioneer and most reputable award-giving body in Southeast Asia, giving out awards annually to remarkable companies in construction and property development in Hong Kong SAR, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. This is FAI’s second win following a similar recognition in 2016. The awards will continue to inspire FAI to raise the bar in the property development industry by Integrating the highest global standards in modern, ecological urban masterplanning and design.

FAI is a subsidiary of Filinvest Development Corporation that focuses on residential and mixed-use urban developments in Metro Manila. One of its award-winning projects is the 244-hectare mega central business district- Filinvest City in Alabang.

Receiving the award were Senior Project Development Manager Sherilynne Santos (left) and Assistant Project Development Manager Bonna Crisostomo. To know more, visit https://filinvestcity.com/.

Fast-Growing Companies Make Parkway Corporate Centertheir HQ in the Metro South

Location, financial advantages, and investment potentials are but some of the factors business owners and entrepreneurs consider when finding the ideal corporate headquarters in the metro.

This is why start-ups, growing companies, and even established firms have moved to or are considering the 32-story Parkway Corporate Center in Filinvest City, Alabang. Owning the property gives business owners the freedom to tailor fit their office space to their needs and spending plans, resulting in cost-efficiency and savings over time.

And with Parkway Corporate Center’s strategic location in the booming Metro South, handsome returns on investment is also guaranteed.

The state-of-the-art, green-oriented office tower offers investors units in a most dynamic environment, while helping address the growing demand for office spaces in the metro. As such, companies and businesses that demand par excellence such as architectural offices, financial houses, and law firms are turning to Parkway Corporate Center.

One such enterprise is the dynamic abaca pulp and paper concern TYC Trading & Manufacturing Philippines, which is now establishing its new corporate headquarters at the future-ready office tower. It is one of the companies that appreciate style, quality, and location and understands how an office space is a reflection of one’s brand, identity, and reputation.

“At first, we were wondering if it was a good move to uproot our operations in Makati and move to the South,” says TYC Trading president Anna Marie de Chavez. “But after considering the congestion, traffic, and even incidents of flooding in Makati, we thought it best to seek greener pastures in Alabang.”

TYC and several other locators have started fitting out their intelligent office units—ranging from a flexible 36 square meters to a full floor—and expect to enjoy soon the features and amenities that make Parkway Corporate Center truly world-class.

Parkway Corporate Center is at a prime, strategic, and prestigious setting, Filinvest City, where a full spectrum of offerings—from premium lifestyle and retail facilities, to one-of-a-kind residential concepts—are within easy reach for a genuine live-work-play environment.

Even better, land values at Filinvest City have reached P230,000 per square meter, representing a 300 percent growth since 2012. And since land values are constantly on the rise, there is also a remarkable upsurge in office space rent, making it more advisable to invest in your own space at this point. Coupled with its ready and growing labor pool, more and more companies—both local and international—have been opting for Filinvest City, the economic center in the Metro South. Similarly, Parkway Corporate Center buyers are enjoying a 24 percent increase in property values since they bought spaces in 2014. It is projected to rise even further as Filinvest City continuously boosts its growth with the deliberate execution of its enhanced masterplan and as demand for office space increases as well.

Parkway Corporate Center, being located at the so-called Millionaire’s Row of Filinvest City, enjoys a thriving, fully-integrated and self-contained 244-hectare metropolis that harmonizes modern conveniences and nature for a refreshingly different atmosphere.

It is extremely accessible, being close to the efficient public transportation hub South Station. Going to the North and to CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas Rizal and Quezon) area where factories are situated is quick through the South Luzon Expressway and Daang Hari Road. Even the Ninoy Aquino International Airport is just 10 kilometers away.

This office tower is the result of intelligent space planning. Modern building facilities are standard such as six high-speed elevators, 24-hour security with CCTV cameras in strategic areas, 100 percent back-up power and advanced fiber optic backbone. The VRF air-conditioning system provides consistent cooling comfort, quiet operation, and utmost energy efficiency. Double-glazed low-e glass helps protect against the harmful ultra-violet radiation while reflecting heat back to ensure that the interior temperature remains constant and helps in energy efficiency.

“Though we’re located in a business zone, there’s still a feeling of balance and nature. What we particularly like about this development is that our office faces Laguna de Bay, which is very energizing,” says Chavez.

An elegant main lobby, retail plaza on the ground floor, fully-equipped business center at the 7th level, podium deck garden, pocket gardens at every five levels, plus eight levels of secured parking are among Parkway Corporate Center’s impressive amenities.

Indeed, businesses thinking of transferring their headquarters to Metro South should set their sights on Parkway Corporate Center and make the smart move now. With its features and amenities and the investment potentials it offers, it is the most ideal office development in the Metro South bar none.

For more information, call (02) 8096517 or visit www.parkwaycorporate.com.