Impact Summit 2026: Dubai convenes leaders on social responsibility and sustainable growth

Majra's second annual gathering will bring together government, business and civil society to explore how collective action drives measurable social and economic outcomes across the UAE.

On 26 November, more than a thousand leaders from government, business, academia and civil society will converge at Expo City Dubai for a summit dedicated to one pressing question: how do we translate corporate responsibility into lasting change.

Majra, the National CSR Fund, has structured this second edition of its Impact Summit around four themes: artificial intelligence for human benefit, culture and sport, family and youth wellbeing, and impact investment. The gathering, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, aims to deepen dialogue between sectors and forge partnerships that deliver measurable outcomes.

Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Majra, framed the summit’s significance within the UAE’s broader national strategy. “The Impact Summit 2026 represents an important platform for strengthening the private sector’s contribution to supporting economic and social development,” he said, noting that the summit aligns with both the UAE Companies for Good Strategy 2031 and the We the UAE 2031 vision. The Companies for Good Strategy targets more than AED20 billion in community contributions by 2031, a benchmark established when Sheikh Mansour launched the initiative on 2 July 2026.

A notable addition to this year’s programme is the Arts and Cultural Philanthropy Forum, hosted by the Ministry of Culture. The forum examines arts and culture not as luxury but as social infrastructure and public good, exploring their contribution to national identity, belonging, education and cohesion. Shatha Al Mulla, Assistant Undersecretary of National Identity and Arts sector at the Ministry of Culture, emphasised the shift from transactional giving to institutional support. “We want to bring together those who have already built successful models of support for arts and heritage with those ready to follow, and to explore how foundations, endowments and companies can sustain that support over the long term,” she said. The forum’s findings will inform a Cultural Philanthropy Policy currently in development.

Sarah Shaw, Chief Executive of Majra, highlighted the breadth of participation expected. “The second edition of Impact Summit reflects strong interest in corporate social responsibility and collective action across the UAE, evident in the diversity of organisations, expertise and sectors taking part.” The summit will feature over 40 speakers, interactive partnership spaces for Emirati family entrepreneurs, an Impact Lab, a dedicated Podcast Studio, and workshops offering practical knowledge exchange.

The summit will also recognise winners of the Sustainable Impact Challenge 2026, which includes an agricultural category, and announce recipients of the Family Impact Award. The 2026 edition coincides with the Year of the Family initiative, positioning family wellbeing as central to the UAE’s vision of prosperity and social cohesion.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

The summit reflects the UAE’s commitment to embedding sustainability across all sectors, positioning responsible business practice as a driver of economic growth and social wellbeing. For Abu Dhabi, a participant in this national initiative, the gathering offers opportunities to align private sector contributions with the emirate’s own development priorities, from innovation and agriculture to cultural institutions and family support.

The emphasis on impact investment and strategic philanthropy signals a maturing approach to how business can address social challenges. By formalising partnerships between government, the private sector and civil society, the summit supports the UAE’s broader ambition to rank among the world’s most prosperous societies, anchored in measurable, sustainable outcomes rather than short-term initiatives.

Source: WAM