Dubai: The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) has introduced the ‘1 Million Learners’ programme to educate one million people on sustainability and sustainable finance by 2030, supported by major partners and linked to its USD 100bn sustainable finance target and innovative AI-driven initiatives.
The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) has unveiled an ambitious educational initiative designed to enhance sustainability knowledge across the region. Announced at the highly regarded Dubai FinTech Summit, the ‘1 Million Learners’ programme aims to provide sustainability and sustainable finance education to one million individuals by 2030. This initiative not only reflects DIFC’s commitment to fostering a sustainable financial ecosystem but also emphasises the crucial role of education in driving transformative changes in economies.
Arif Amiri, CEO of DIFC Authority, articulated the vision behind the programme, stating its core belief that education is paramount for making meaningful impacts. He noted that equipping individuals with sustainability knowledge is essential for preparing economies for the future. This initiative aligns with broader regional goals, particularly as Dubai aspires to establish itself as a global hub for sustainable finance.
The initiative is supported by an impressive consortium of 28 founding partners, including influential organisations such as the United Nations Development Programme, Mastercard, S&P Global, and the London Stock Exchange Group. These partnerships are pivotal in expanding access to sustainability education, particularly for underserved communities, which stand to gain significantly from enhanced learning opportunities.
In tandem with this educational initiative, the DIFC Sustainable Finance Catalyst has set an ambitious target: to scale sustainable finance flows to USD 100 billion by 2030. The Catalyst, equipped with an AI-driven sustainability knowledge hub, aims to create a supportive environment for sustainability start-ups and foster the training of future leaders in sustainability. Such comprehensive plans are indicative of DIFC’s commitment to integrating sustainability deeply into its financial landscapes.
Moreover, the DIFC Academy plays a vital role in this overarching strategy. Through partnerships with the Chartered Banker Institute, it offers professional development certifications in Green and Sustainable Finance, aligned with the UAE’s net-zero objectives. This is particularly relevant as the nation gears up for COP28, highlighting the urgency and significance of sustainable finance as a driver for economic transformation.
The Green Fintech Miniseries, another pivotal offering from the DIFC Academy, focuses on the intersection of fintech and sustainability. By examining green financial products and best practices, it aims to position finance professionals at the forefront of the sustainable finance revolution, thereby contributing to the burgeoning green economy.
As part of its continued investment in future skills, DIFC Academy’s Future Campus, developed in collaboration with EdAid, provides a robust online education platform featuring over 400 programmes from leading global academic institutions. This platform not only facilitates learning but also offers physical co-working spaces to enhance collaboration among students and professionals alike.
In a landscape increasingly driven by sustainability considerations, initiatives like the ‘1 Million Learners’ programme and the Sustainable Finance Catalyst position DIFC as a leader in promoting sustainable finance education. The success of these initiatives will likely hinge on their ability to track real-world impacts, a priority that DIFC has underlined through its collaboration with GIST Impact, a global leader in measuring social and environmental outcomes.
As the DIFC aims to redefine the financial landscape through sustainability, it is clear that the intersection of education, technology, and sustainable finance will be pivotal in shaping a more inclusive, responsible, and resilient future for the region.
Reference Map
- Paragraphs 1-2: Source 1
- Paragraph 3: Source 2
- Paragraph 4: Source 3
- Paragraph 5: Source 5
- Paragraph 6: Source 6
- Paragraphs 7-8: Source 4
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.arnnewscentre.ae/en/news/uae/difc-to-equip-1-million-people-with-sustainability-skills/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.difc.ae/who-we-are/sustainability/difc-sustainable-finance-catalyst – The DIFC Sustainable Finance Catalyst is a strategic initiative launched by the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) to scale sustainable finance from Dubai. The Catalyst aims to grow sustainable finance flows to USD 100 billion by 2030, supported by an AI-driven sustainability knowledge hub. It also seeks to train one million future sustainability leaders and expand its sustainability-driven start-up ecosystem by 50 times by 2030. The initiative underscores DIFC’s commitment to building a more inclusive and responsible financial ecosystem.
- https://www.difc.ae/whats-on/news/difc-academy-joins-forces-with-the-chartered-banker-institute – DIFC Academy has partnered with the Chartered Banker Institute to enhance the professional development of financial industry specialists. This collaboration focuses on delivering certifications in ‘Green and Sustainable Finance’ and ‘Climate Risk’ to upskill finance professionals. The initiative aligns with DIFC’s commitment to net-zero transition goals and supports the UAE’s sustainability objectives, particularly in the lead-up to COP28.
- https://www.difc.ae/whats-on/news/difcs-strategic-initiatives-drive-dubais-emergence – DIFC’s strategic initiatives, including the launch of the Sustainable Finance Catalyst, are positioning Dubai as a global hub for sustainable finance. The Catalyst aims to grow sustainable finance flows from Dubai to USD 100 billion by 2030 and to train one million sustainability leaders. Additionally, DIFC has allocated 20% of the Dubai Future District Fund to support sustainability-driven tech and innovation ventures, further reinforcing its commitment to sustainable finance.
- https://academy.difc.ae/school-of-finance-management/green-fintech-miniseries – The Green Fintech Miniseries, offered by DIFC Academy, is a program focused on the role of fintech and financial services in creating a sustainable future. It covers topics such as green financial products, case studies, and best practices for creating green fintech solutions. The program is part of DIFC’s broader efforts to equip individuals with knowledge in sustainability and sustainable finance.
- https://academy.difc.ae/school-of-future-skills/future-campus – DIFC Academy’s Future Campus, in partnership with EdAid, offers online education opportunities to UAE nationals and residents from leading global academic institutions. The platform provides access to over 400 online programs, focusing on acquiring skills and knowledge to develop a sustainable and innovative future for the global finance industry. It includes a physical co-working and co-study space for enrolled students.
- https://academy.difc.ae/news-events/banks-and-bankers-can-save-world-principles-and-practice-green-and-sustainable-finance-2024 – DIFC Academy, in partnership with the Chartered Banker Institute and the UN Principles of Responsible Banking Academy, presents an event titled ‘Banks and Bankers Can Save the World! The Principles and Practice of Green & Sustainable Finance in 2024.’ The event aims to provide insights into the fundamentals of green and sustainable finance and how DIFC Academy and the Chartered Banker Institute can support professionals in this field.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative refers to a current initiative announced at the Dubai FinTech Summit, aligns with upcoming events like COP28, and mentions current leadership (Arif Amiri as CEO of DIFC Authority), indicating recent and up-to-date information. No signs of recycled or outdated news were found.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
The direct quote from Arif Amiri is attributed to him with clear context and no contradictory sources found. No earlier known references to the quote were found online, suggesting originality or first reporting, which supports authenticity.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from the official news centre of the Arab region’s financial hub, which is a primary communication channel; such official outlets are generally reliable for organisational announcements but might lack third-party independence typical of major global media outlets.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about the educational initiative, partnerships with reputable global organisations, and goals aligned with known sustainability agendas are plausible and consistent with the DIFC’s role and recent sustainability trends in the UAE.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative presents a fresh, recent initiative with credible involvement of known entities and leadership. The direct quote appears original and the information aligns well with known sustainability and financial trends in the UAE. The communication originates from an official and credible regional channel, supporting high confidence in accuracy.
