CSR Qatar 2013, the prominent sustainability summit on 24 and 25 November in Doha, Qatar, is to be chaired by the founder of the Anglo-Dutch sustainability firm EMG, known for its highly advanced approach to corporate social responsibility (CSR), and leading specialist in the field of the circular economy.

Just days after a major international study commissioned by the UN Global Compact revealed that already one in three CEOs are actively seeking to employ circular economy (recycling) models, it signifies that Qatar is well in sync with global trends.

Drs Daan Elffers, who founded EMG in 2004 and is also an advisor with the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute inCalifornia, will speak about the business opportunities behind implementing CSR at this level, and the premium circular economy model Cradle to Cradle^®.

The Dutch nation, historically, has an excellent reputation for its high public awareness and advanced approach to sustainable development, and the Netherlands are among the first countries in the world to implement Cradle to Cradle^® and the circular economy on a significant scale.

"Countries such as Qatar, with their strong ambition and unique potential to make a positive contribution to both society and the environment, are in an ideal position to accelerate innovation and take the lead in transforming natural sustainability challenges into their competitive advantage," says Elffers. "We are looking forward to engaging with Qatari organizations to further streamline these ambitions into tangible results."

Sally Corander, Divisional Manager at the Institute for International Research in the Middle East, says: "We are extremely honoured to have Daan Elffers of EMG as chairman of this important conference and also to lead our certified workshop on CSR as a business model."