Abu Dhabi: The Department of Community Development in Abu Dhabi, the social sector regulator in the emirate, successfully concluded the third edition of the Third Sector Forum.

Held in cooperation with ADNOC at the Abu Dhabi Energy Centre, the forum celebrated the achievements of the third sector by honouring winners of the Third Sector Awards across six categories. These awards recognised pioneers in volunteer teams, socially driven companies, and public benefit associations, while also highlighting outstanding contributions to social responsibility.

The forum was attended by Shamma bint Suhail Al Mazrui, Minister of Community Development; Dr. Mugheer Al Khaili, Chairman of the Department of Community Development and a number of high-ranking officials.

The forum is part of the department's ongoing efforts to create a comprehensive and supportive environment for third-sector entities. It aimed to enhance knowledge and address key opportunities and challenges through a series of dialogue sessions featuring local and international speakers.

The sessions focused on strategies to empower the third sector to make a tangible positive impact on society, strengthen partnerships between third-sector institutions and the public and private sectors, and adopt innovative, sustainable approaches to amplify the sector’s role. The forum also focused on promoting collaboration, fostering social solidarity, and encouraging volunteering and community participation.

The forum announced the idea of forming the Third Sector Council, which will include members representing public benefit institutions. This council will serve as a platform for addressing challenges, fostering collaboration to develop solutions, and identifying growth opportunities. Additionally, it will strengthen the relationship between the third sector and the government, while representing the voice of the sector in policy-making and decision-making processes.

In this context, Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili said: “We are proud to see the Third Sector Forum continue to succeed in establishing the values of leadership that are in line with the vision of our wise leadership to build a cohesive and connected society. The forum reflects the aspirations of Abu Dhabi towards strengthening the social sector and adopting innovation and excellence to achieve a more prosperous and sustainable future.”

He added: “We were delighted to host experts from the social sector at the forum. Their participation included many inspiring ideas and experiences that promote the adoption of advanced technologies and innovative practices to address social challenges. This contributes to the sector’s growth and supports the vision of building a cohesive society that embodies the values of inclusiveness and cooperation.”

Mohamed Helal Al Balooshi, Executive Director of the Community Engagement and Sports Sector at the Department of Community Development, highlighted the remarkable success of the forum. He emphasised the important role of the Third Sector Awards in inspiring contributions to this pioneering sector, strengthening its impact in addressing social priorities, and enhancing the quality of life for all segments of society.

The forum featured the Third Sector Awards ceremony, recognising outstanding contributions across six main categories. The Non-for-Profit of the Year 2024 award was presented to Emirates Cancer Society’s, while the Most Impactful Non-for-Profit 2024 award went to Operation Smile. The Social Enterprise of the Year 2024 was awarded to Nadeera Company, and the Most Impactful Social Enterprise 2024 was claimed by E-Youth Company. Additionally, the Volunteering Team of the Year 2024 award was won by The Emirati Marshals programme Team, and the CSR Initiative of the Year 2024 was awarded to "Energy for Education" programme by ADNOC.