Our Evolution

The Pearl Initiative is founded in cooperation with the United Nations Office for Partnerships in New York City, USA.

The Governance in Family Firms programme is launched.

The Pearl Initiative offices open at the American University of Sharjah, UAE .

The Integrated Reporting programme is launched in collaboration with Accounting for Sustainability (A4S).

The first CEO Summit on Ethical Leadership is held in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

The first United Nations roundtable forum on Corporate Accountability and Governance is held in New York City, USA.

The Pearl Initiative enters into a strategic partnership with United Nations Global Compact.

The Saudi Arabia Student Case Study Competition is held.

The Diversity in Business Leadership programme is launched in collaboration with the Sharjah Business Women’s Council (58WC).

The UAE Student Case Study Competition is held.

The inaugural collaborative regional forum with United Nations Global Compact is held in Dubai, UAE.

The Executive programme is launched.

The Anti-Corruption Best Practices programme is launched in partnership with the Siemens Integrity Initiative.

The 2016 Gulf Business Leaders Survey on Sustainable Development Goals is published.

The Business Redge programme The Executive is launched.

The Pearl Initiative’s redesigned website and mobile application are launched.

The second collaborative regional forum with United Nations Global Compact is held in Dubai, UAE.

The Governance in Philanthropy programme is launched with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The Governance for Micro, Small, and Medium- sized Enterprises (MSMEs) programme is launched with support from RWE and Crescent Enterprises.

The inaugural Governance in Focus Forum is held in collaboration with Saudi Aramco in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The second phase of the Governance in Philanthropy programme is launched with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and King Khalid Foundation.

The second phase of the “Women in the Economy” research project is launched.The Family Business Survey is launched .

The Gulf Business Philanthropy Circle is launched.

The Corporate Governance Fundamentals online platform for MSMEs is launched.

United Nations ECOSOC awards Special Consubative Status to the Pearl Initiative.

The Family Business Boards project is launched.

The UAE Family Business Report is published in collaboration with the Sheikh Saoud bin Khalid bin Khalid Al Qassimi Chair in Family Business.

The Circle- Pearl Initiative’s Online Centre for Philanthropic Governance launched.

The Pearl Initiative Webinar Series is launched in response to the COVID-19 global pandemic.

A survey on MSME governance is launched.

The “Needs Assessment” survey to evaluate the Gulf region’s philanthropic ecosystem was launched .

The “CEO Perspectives” report highlighting insights of 35 Gulf region’s business leaders on corporate stewardship was launched.

The Pearl Initiative and NAMA Women launched a series of sessions to discuss women’s leadership in the workplace.

Pearl Initiative celebrated a decade of collective action with the Gulf region’s business community.

The Anti-Corruption’s “Best Practices” Working Group was established.

Awareness campaign across Saudi universities on diversity & inclusion in partnership with SABIC was launched.
“Diversity in Business Leadership” Working Group was established.

Women in Leadership Forum held in partnership with AstraZeneca in Saudi Arabia

Three-part compliance guidebook launched in collaboration with the Anti-Corruption Working group members

Research on governance amongst NextGen family business leaders in Saudi Arabia launched

Governance in Fintech in UAE and KSA report published in collaboration with the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD)

Research on Next-Gene Philanthropy in the Middle East with Zovighian Partnership and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Training session and roundtable on workplace disability inclusion with ImInclusive.

Youth Impact Lab in partnership with Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation.

Research report on governance and succession planning for NextGen family business leaders in Saudi Arabia.

Launch of Phase 1 of Next-Generation Philanthropy Research in Saudi Arabia, advancing innovative giving practices.

Inaugural convening on integrating Governance in Tech & EI in the Startup journey, shaping future-ready businesses.

Targeted workshop and training session with Business Family House in Jeddah, strengthening family enterprise governance.

Convened a high-profile panel discussion on career pathways in the philanthropic ecosystem, inspiring regional talent.