2023 was the year when Singaporeans welcomed back pre-Covid face-to-face functions and gatherings, having mastered self-tests and self-assessment of symptoms prior to attending large events. This allowed the Council to return to organising in-person events this year where UAESBC members and other target audience could fully benefit from impactful face-to-face interactions and networking. At the same time, we also made full use of video-conferencing tools when it was necessary to connect to UAE-based experts LIVE to the Singapore business community.
In conjunction with the UAE Presidency of COP28 Climate Summit, sustainability was a major theme across our events and activities this year. Our Sustainable and Renewable Energy business delegation to the UAE in May was one of the first opportunities for Singapore companies to be exposed to COP28 plans and participation from the organiser and key summit participants in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. Discussions on sustainability also became the spotlight of our flagship workshop: Oil, Petrochemical and Logistics Seminar 2023 where key industry players in the UAE and Singapore shared their ESG innovations and climate-conscious strategies. Nearer to the actual Climate Summit itself held at the end of November, we organised a second delegation on the theme of cleantech, focusing on startup companies who provide effective solutions to achieve ESG.
Our most impactful in-person event was indeed the UAESBC 5th Anniversary Charity Gala on 8th November where a total of SGD80,000 was raised for the Singapore National Paralympic Council (SNPC). The donations were accumulated from the sale of tickets, on-site auctions as well as a direct donation from the Council of SGD12,799. The event drew the attendance of around 175 guests who wined, dined and got to know about SNPC's great work supporting our inspirational para-athletes who are champions both in sport and in life.
The Council would like to thank our events sponsors who have allowed us to present such interesting and impactful events to you this year. Special thanks must go to our Strategic Partner, the UAE Embassy in Singapore, under the leadership of UAE Ambassador and UAESBC Patron, His Excellency Jamal Alsuwaidi, who has kindly sponsored most of our key events this year.
We look forward to presenting you with a whole host of exciting and engaging events in 2024!