Under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Cabinet Member and Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, Abu Dhabi University (ADU) will host the 2nd International Conference on Advancing Sustainable Futures 2024 (ICASF '24) from December 11 to 12, 2024, at the Ritz Carlton, Abu Dhabi. The two-day event, aligned with the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), is themed ‘Innovation and Digital Transformation for Sustainable Futures’. The conference has received 720 submissions, with 330 selected for presentation in 52 parallel sessions across 11 tracks.
The conference will convene over 65 keynote speakers, and panelists from national and international organizations and universities including ministers, diplomats, high-profile academics, researchers, industry experts, and policymakers from over 90 countries. The speakers will tackle the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital technologies in addressing critical sustainability challenges and shaping resilient, future-ready communities.
The event will feature seven engaging panel discussions, including, ‘AI-Driven Innovation: Pioneering Sustainability in the Digital Transformation Era,’ ‘Empowering Inclusion and Change through Innovation: Aligning Higher Education with SDGs in the Digital Transformation Era,’ and ‘Driving Change: Innovation in Humanitarian, Anti-Poverty solutions, Philanthropy and Corporate Social Responsibility, for Sustainable futures,’ as well as ‘Empowering Women in the Digital Age: Challenges and Opportunities,’ ‘Navigating Finance and Audit for ESG in the Era of Innovation and Digital Transformation,’ ‘Driving Sustainability: The Impact of International University Rankings on Institutional Strategies and Practices,’ and ‘Data Science for Sustainability.’
Professor Ghassan Aouad, Chancellor of Abu Dhabi University (ADU) and Conference Advisor, said, “The ICASF ’24 represents our commitment to fostering innovation and addressing the world’s most pressing sustainability challenges. This conference exemplifies our role as an academic hub for global collaboration, bringing together visionaries to catalyze impactful change and contribute to a resilient and sustainable future”.
ICASF '24 will honor outstanding research with the 'Conference Best Research Paper' awards, highlighting key contributions in fields such as digital-driven innovation, green technologies, sustainable education, AI advancements, and corporate social responsibility in the digital era.
Professor Sherine Farouk, Associate Provost of Academic Projects at Abu Dhabi University (ADU) and Conference Chair, said: “At ADU, we believe in empowering our students and communities to be at the forefront of innovation and sustainability. By hosting ICASF ’24, we not only contribute to the UAE’s leadership in sustainable development but also ignite a global dialogue on transforming digital advancements into actionable, sustainable solutions”.
Furthermore, the ICASF ‘24 will feature two dynamic sessions, ‘The launch of the Arab Universities for Climate Change Knowledge Network (AUCCKN)’ and ‘The ADU-Liwa Global Collaborative Research and Innovation Program.’ Additionally, submitted research papers will have the opportunity to be published in more than 14 Scopus-indexed journals in Q1 and Q2.
During the conference, ADU will forge four Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with strategic partners. These agreements will foster knowledge exchange, advance collaborative research, and provide professional certification opportunities for students.
The event, organized by ADU, is sponsored by Emirates Red Crescent, Adeeb Group, Inovartic Investment, and the Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau. It is also supported by key partners including the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), UAE Internal Auditors Association, HUAWEI, ANXINSEC, the Association of Arab Universities, and prominent universities from around the world.
