DP World Takes Lead in Disclosing Development Impact in Focus Countries

DP World Leads Global Initiative with Sustainable Development Impact Disclosure

DP World, a global leader in logistics and trade, has embarked on a groundbreaking journey towards transparency and accountability with the release of its Sustainable Development Impact Disclosure (SDID). This milestone marks DP World as the inaugural company worldwide to adopt and disclose its development impact in focus countries, aligning with the newly established impact disclosure guidance from the Impact Disclosure Taskforce.

In a testament to its commitment to collaborative progress, DP World initiated a comprehensive four-month public consultation period, spanning from April 18th to September 1st. During this time, the company actively engaged industry participants and practitioners, soliciting valuable feedback to refine and shape the guidance, ensuring its efficacy and relevance.

The SDID serves as a beacon of progress, providing a structured framework for private sector companies and sovereigns to showcase their contributions to transformative infrastructure development in emerging markets and developing economies. It underscores DP World’s unwavering dedication not only to sustainable development but also to fostering a culture of accountability and responsibility within the industry.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, DP World Group Chairman and CEO, expressed profound pride in the publication of the Sustainable Development Impact Disclosure. He emphasized its role in pushing the boundaries of what’s achievable through infrastructure development and called upon industry stakeholders to unite behind this initiative as a catalyst for global sustainable development.

Developed in accordance with guidance from the Impact Disclosure Taskforce, spearheaded by JP Morgan Development Finance Institution and Natixis, the SDID employs robust impact measurement and monitoring methodologies. These methodologies assess the impact of investments in advancing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and bridging existing development gaps. By fostering transparency, accountability, and genuine commitment to sustainable development, the SDID empowers global capital markets to make informed financing decisions based on reliable, publicly disclosed information.

The SDID adopts a comprehensive five-step process to measure and disclose the impacts of business strategies or national development plans. Noteworthy characteristics of the SDID include its entity-level approach, impact-oriented focus, forward-looking perspective, and context-specificity, ensuring its applicability across diverse sectors and regions.

DP World and the Impact Disclosure Taskforce extend an open invitation to industry experts and stakeholders to provide feedback on the SDID. This collaborative approach seeks to further enhance the effectiveness and relevance of the guidance, with contributions welcomed until September 1st, 2024.

Arsalan Mahtafar, Co-Chair of the Impact Disclosure Taskforce and Head of J.P. Morgan’s Development Finance Institution, commended DP World for its commitment to promoting sustainable and inclusive economic growth. He lauded DP World’s efforts to manage its business with a dual focus on financial returns and development impact, emphasizing the critical role of private sector entities in achieving global goals.

Cedric Merle, Co-Chair of the Impact Disclosure Taskforce and Head of the Centre of Expertise and Innovation at Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking’s Green and Sustainable Hub, praised DP World’s collaboration in pioneering the Sustainable Development Impact Disclosure. He highlighted the importance of testing the guidance to ensure it effectively addresses the specific needs and expectations of investors and lenders, expressing hope that other organizations will follow DP World’s lead in disclosing both commitments and actions toward fostering sustainable development in emerging markets.