The Sustainability and ESG International Summit brought together some of the most forward-thinking leaders, companies, and visionaries shaping the future of responsible business and green transformation. Held under the honorary patronage of the Egyptian Ministry of Environment on June 2–3, 2025, the summit was a resounding success, both in terms of insight and impact.
From the first moments of the opening remarks by Beatrice Ene, Managing Director at Industry Link, the tone was set for a dynamic exchange of ideas. For two days, participants dove into the realities of decarbonization, green finance, smart cities, and responsible supply chains, through keynotes, case studies, and thought-provoking panels.
The summit opened with powerful keynote speeches. Ahlam Farouk, Head of Central Dept. of Industrial Environment and Energy Improvements, Ministry of Environment, outlined the Ministry’s initiatives to improve industrial environmental standards and energy efficiency, emphasizing key policies that support sustainable development and the transition to a low-carbon economy. Following her, Ahmed Assem, External Communications & CSR Manager at Lafarge Egypt, shared insights from his 15 years in the construction sector, focusing on the importance of strategic communication to promote impactful ESG practices and foster innovation across sustainability projects.
Building on this foundation, industry changemakers took the stage. Alaa Basyouni, Marketing Communications Manager, Geocycle Egypt and Sustainability Committee, Lafarge Egypt, presented the company’s pioneering sustainability practices, highlighting circular economy strategies and the integration of environmental responsibility into marketing and communications efforts. Then, Amr Nader, Co-founder and CEO of A³&Co., offered a corporate roadmap for climate leadership, emphasizing the role of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) in decarbonizing cement production while maintaining economic competitiveness.
Transitioning to the financial side, Sourajit Aiyer, Sustainable Finance Expert at GIZ, detailed emerging sustainable finance mechanisms that can support transition efforts in difficult-to-abate sectors such as cement. He outlined the key role that green financing can play in accelerating decarbonization efforts.
Interactive networking sessions allowed for meaningful connections, while discussions continued afterwards with Amr Elkady, Strategy Planning and Development Director at TITAN Egypt, who explored strategies for decarbonizing the cement value chain, including the adoption of alternative fuels and raw materials, while discussing challenges that limit broader implementation.
The conversation then shifted to supply chains and economics. Sayed Dessouki, Procurement Director at Heidelberg Materials Egypt, stressed the importance of responsible supply chain management through strategic sourcing and operational excellence to create greener, more sustainable supply chains. Complementing this, Prof. Dr. Salah ElHaggar, President of Egypt Green Building Council (Egypt GBC), discussed the economics of net zero initiatives, explaining how integrating net zero strategies can yield positive financial, social, and environmental outcomes.
Stakeholder engagement was emphasized by Luciane Mello, Human and Organizational Development, Communication, and Sustainability Executive Manager at Cimento Apodi, who shared frameworks for building trust and fostering long-term collaboration essential to achieving social license to operate. The focus then shifted to urban innovation as Ankur Bansal, Partner EY – Parthenon, examined sustainability in smart cities, illustrating how digital technologies and innovative urban planning can transform Middle Eastern cities into models of environmental stewardship.
Luyue Tan, Research Specialist, Carbon LSEG then provided an insightful analysis of international carbon markets post-COP29. She highlighted the evolution of emission trading systems globally and Egypt’s pioneering role in establishing Africa’s carbon exchange.
The day culminated with a high-profile panel discussion on the evolving landscape of green finance and regulatory trends, moderated by Yasmin Shokri, CEO of Ecosolis. The panel brought together experts from diverse sectors to explore challenges and opportunities in financing the green transition. Panelists included: Ayman Refaie (Ministry of Environment), Sourajit AIYER (GIZ), Luyue Tan (LSEG), and Alaa Basyouni (Lafarge Egypt). The session fostered an engaging Q&A with the audience, reflecting strong interest in practical steps toward a greener, more resilient economy.
Day 2: June 3, 2025
The second day began with Osama Abdelwahed, Head of Projects at Heidelberg Materials Egypt, presenting the company’s Waste Heat Recovery System project. He showcased how the cement sector can capture and reuse industrial heat to boost energy efficiency and reduce emissions. Mohammed Fouad, Business Excellence Director at Riyad Cement, then shared insights on emerging sustainable innovations and technologies designed to enhance environmental and social sustainability in cement production.
Eng. Hazem Moshir, Energy & Sustainability Manager at Arabian Cement Company, highlighted sustainability as a cornerstone in the cement industry. He discussed ongoing efforts to balance regulatory pressures, technological innovation, and market demands driving greener practices. Closing the presentations, Mahmoud Mohsen, Sustainability General Manager at Misr Cement Group, explored alternative fuel challenges in Egypt, comparing technologies such as oxy-fuel combustion and hydrogen injection as promising paths toward reducing clinker production emissions.
The summit concluded with a strong message: sustainability is no longer a choice—it’s a necessity and a competitive edge. With commitment from government bodies, industry leaders, and financial institutions, the momentum built in Cairo is set to echo well beyond the banks of the Nile.
As we look ahead, the conversations started here will continue to fuel transformation across sectors and borders. Thank you to all who made this summit a success. See you at the next edition!
Looking Ahead – Join Us in Bucharest and Beyond!
The conversations don’t end here. Join us this September in Bucharest and be part of the movement toward a more sustainable built environment. Discover what’s next in cement innovation, best practices, and decarbonization at our upcoming flagship events — where leaders meet to shape a greener world.
Mark your calendars!
Explore our exciting event lineup:
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CarbonZero Global Conference and Exhibition 2025 – October, Bucharest, Romania
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Women in CemCo International Congress EMEA 2025 – October, Bucharest, Romania
Contact us at contact@industrylink.eu to request detailed brochures and registration info.
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