Leading international advisory firm for sustainable development opens new office in Saudi Arabia

EMG Group, the international advisory firm for sustainable development, has announced the opening of a Saudi Arabian office in Riyadh. This is to back the realization of Vision 2030 and to facilitate support to the private sector in its efforts to strategically navigate present economic realities. 

European roots, world-class accreditation

Founded in 2004, the award-winning advisory firm has become an authority in research and advice in the fields of sustainable development and growth, CSR and ESG strategy. Supported by its research center in Cambridge, England, the firm works with government entities, corporates and nonprofit organizations worldwide to meet and exceed the highest international standards of best practice. 

Alongside EMG’s United Nations registration, EMG’s team of senior consultants, auditors and trainers bring a diverse and in-depth specialist knowledge to the table. Working with international standards and protocols on a daily basis, its team is highly experienced in global reporting standards (e.g. ISO, GRI, SASB, BREEAM and the GHG protocols), including the attestation, pre-auditing and auditing of sustainability reports.

Uniquely, EMG addresses sustainable growth and impact assessment from a management and strategic perspective, rather than merely from an accounting perspective.

Local experience, international expertise

Over the past decade, EMG has established an impressive track record in Saudi Arabia and the broader MENA region. The firm has been an advisor to government ministries and related authorities, major nonprofit organizations and corporates in numerous sectors including petrochemicals, banking and healthcare. 

EMG’s experts are regularly invited as keynote speakers and international experts to share thoughts and opinions on key trends in CSR and sustainable development. EMG has been elected Chair of CSR Summit Dubai, the longest-running conference for sustainability in the region, and served on the judging panel at its inaugural CSR Excellence Awards. The firm maintains strong ties with some of the world’s leading academic institutions and contributes frequently as a peer reviewer and editor of academic journals.

Recognizing the potential of Islamic values 

In 2015, EMG founded the Islamic Reporting Initiative (IRI). The IRI was founded to create the world’s first international reporting standard for corporate social responsibility based on Islamic values. A signatory of the UN Global Compact, the IRI held its first roundtable discussion at the COP22 Climate Change Conference in Marrakech, and now has members in more than 50 countries.  

In celebration of the 49th anniversary of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), EMG founder Daan Elffers was invited to speak at a special event held at the Palais des Nations, home of the UN in Geneva. Furthermore, on behalf of the foundation, he accepted the Global Islamic Finance Award for best initiative for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (Global Goals) in Muslim-majority countries.  

EMG Saudi Arabia 

In addition to EMG’s general services, the country office in Riyadh will provide tailored services that respond to the specific needs of its clients in the Kingdom through global expertise and local competencies that are well-versed in the services provided and which have a deep understanding of Vision 2030, its strategic programs, and economic development in the Kingdom. 

The office is helmed by Saudi national Nael Samir Fayez, who has extensive experience in the fields of management and economics. He is an accredited Chief Sustainability Officer and has worked closely with EMG’s main office since 2014. EMG Saudi Arabia will open its doors on September 1st.