Kaplan Middle East & North Africa (MENA), a leading professional learning provider, recently hosted two pivotal Sustainability & ESG Forums in Riyadh and Dubai on October 28 and 29, 2025. These events brought together prominent leaders in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) from across the globe to address the critical need for integrating ESG principles into core business strategies. The Riyadh forum was co-hosted with the Financial Academy, while the Dubai event was organized solely by Kaplan MENA. Both gatherings featured senior decision-makers from government, industry, and finance sectors, focusing on transforming ESG from a compliance requirement to a driver of competitive advantage. Under the theme ‘Turning Sustainability into a Competitive Advantage: From Cost Center to Value Driver,’ the forums included panel discussions and keynote speeches from renowned sustainability experts, including representatives from ACWA Power, Emirates Global Aluminium, Al Safi Danone, VFS Global, and a UN-awarded ESG specialist. The discussions emphasized operationalizing ESG strategies, future-proofing businesses, and aligning with national visions like ‘Saudi Vision 2030’ and ‘UAE Net Zero 2050.’ Stuart Whent, COO of Kaplan MENA, highlighted the forums as catalysts for meaningful change, stating, ‘We are convening the people who have the influence and vision to reshape how sustainability is embedded in our region’s economic future.’ A key outcome of the forums was the launch of Kaplan’s Sustainability and ESG Foundations Certificate, a first-of-its-kind accredited learning program tailored for GCC professionals. Developed in collaboration with Melina Taprantzi, founder of Earth & Co. and a UN-awarded ESG expert, the program integrates regional context, sector-specific pathways, and global academic rigor. Taprantzi noted, ‘We designed this program to close the gap between ESG intent and credible implementation.’ The initiative aims to support Middle Eastern organizations by enhancing ESG reporting, facilitating access to green capital, building a sustainable talent pipeline, and fostering cross-sector collaboration. With over 1.2 million learners annually in 27 countries, Kaplan is leveraging its global expertise to address the region’s pressing ESG challenges.