The theme of this year’s sustainability report is ‘partnership’. From our initial commitment to the United Nations Global Compact and the articulation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2012 to our signing of the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment in Q1 2018, we have been taking measured but determined steps to align our business with environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors. We have assimilated many lessons along the way. We have learnt that commitment to ESG issues is not a luxury and that the business case for sustainability is increasingly sound. We have also realized that we cannot get away with just paying lip service to ESG considerations and that we must transform our business to meet the challenge.

The key lesson we have learnt, however, is that partnership is vital in order to localise and implement the SDGs. The problems that face us today are multi-faceted and sustainability hinges on buy-in from all stakeholders. The SDGs provide a common language for partners and a unified sense of purpose across all dimensions of sustainable development, whether at the level of government, civil society or business. I believe that it falls to organizations such as ours to take the lead: As pioneers in the field of sustainability and responsible investment in the region, we have the means to provide awareness and bring stakeholders together to develop strategies that work within local contexts.

As we expand into new markets, the scope of our influence becomes bigger and with it our reach and responsibility to act as SDG ambassadors. Partnerships come in many forms and our report this year presents many of the innovative and synergistic partnerships that we have been instrumental in creating and fostering across the breadth of our operation.

I am also exceedingly proud to announce that Hanaa Helmy, Chief Executive Officer of the EFG Hermes Foundation and Head of CSR, was recently recognized by the UN Global Compact as one of 10 SDG Pioneers in 2018 for her work in social development and advancing sustainability in Egypt.

As always, I thank you for your continued support and I humbly present you with EFG Hermes’ fifth annual Sustainability Report.

Sincerely yours,

Mona Zulficar
Chairperson