The Islamic Reporting Initiative (IRI) has been granted accreditation as an observer to the governing body of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Environment Assembly of UNEP. This means that the IRI will forthwith be invited as an observer to all public meetings and sessions of the UN Environment Assembly and its subsidiary organs.
As a faith-based organization, the IRI will join UNEP’s Faith for Earth Initiative.
Mohamed Amersi, Chairman of the IRI foundation, responded: “We are delighted that UNEP has recognized that the IRI can serve as a valuable soundboard in support of UNEP’s mission to provide leadership and guidance for the achievement of a sustainable global economy. We very much look forward to building strong working relationships with UNEP and the other organizations involved.”
Daan Elffers, Founder of the IRI, added: “Specifically, we believe that the IRI is able to provide substantial practical input to help ensure that UNEP’s programs and initiatives in OIC countries are not only current, but also culturally relevant. As a result, efforts will be much more effective, in turn allowing all parties involved to step up the level of ambition – something that is desperately needed.”
Environmental stewardship is a central theme in the IRI reporting standard. Significantly, the IRI held its first roundtable discussion at the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP22) in Marrakesh. The conference was hosted by the Morocco Minister of Environment and COP22 Special Envoy, H.E. Dr Hakima El Haité, herself a member of the IRI Advisory Council.
Founded on the notion that a quarter of the world’s countries and a fifth of the world’s population share a set of fundamental values that inherently support stewardship, honesty, trust and charity, the IRI is an organization intent on leveraging the interconnectedness of the Islamic world to support and encourage sustainability leadership globally.
Prof. Seyyed Hossein Nasr, University Professor of Islamic Studies, George Washington University: “The noble Quran contains a message not only concerning human life, but also the world of nature and our responsibility towards it. […] May the efforts of the Islamic Reporting Initiative and other organizations with similar aims succeed by God’s grace and the efforts of dedicated Muslim men and women. Our future depends on this spiritual jihād carried out with God’s succour in this holy effort.”
In February, the IRI will attend the Fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly, which is to take place in Nairobi, Kenya.
About the UN Environment Programme
The UNEP is the global environmental authority that sets the environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. UNEP’s mission is to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.
About the Faith for Earth Initiative
Faith for Earth is a programme of UNEP that builds on the 5 principles (People living on a healthy planet, enjoying prosperity and partnerships in peaceful societies), with three overarching goals: 1) Faith leadership for policy impact; 2) Greening faith financing and assets to support SDGs; and 3) Faith-environment knowledge-based decision support system.
About the Islamic Reporting Initiative (IRI)
The Islamic Reporting Initiative is an independent not-for-profit organization leading the creation of the world’s first reporting standard for sustainability and CSR/ESG – across all business sectors – based on Islamic values and principles. By making these topics culturally relevant, the IRI aspires to effectively accelerate the uptake of the above, and systemically advance the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals through nearly a quarter of the world’s population with custodianship for vast reserves of natural resources.
For further information and partnerships: Daan Elffers, +31 6 5555 2533, iri@islamicreporting.org
Article: Islamic Reporting Initiative observer to the UNEP governing body
