As we launch into a new year of activities, I would like to take the opportunity to reflect on 2012, a year in which we celebrated our two year anniversary at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, as well as published our first major piece of research into corporate good practices among companies in the GCC.

Future leaders are an important stakeholder group for the Pearl Initiative as it is this demographic that will be responsible for driving a cultural shift across public and private sector organisations in the years to come. In 2012 we engaged with well over 1,000 students with interactive and inspiring business-led workshops on a range of topics including integrity, leadership, corporate governance and ethics. In addition to ongoing work with students this year, we will be launching a major student competition, so watch this space over the coming weeks!

Dialogue and collaboration with business leaders continued to be a core area of focus for us in 2012. We held roundtable dialogues across all GCC markets, reaching over 1,000 business leaders, with the aim of raising awareness and sharing experiences on topics such as anti bribery and corruption, integrated reporting, ethical leadership, corporate accountability and good governance.

We have devoted time and energy to working with Chambers of Commerce, the World Economic Forum, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and HRH The Prince of Wales’ Accounting 4 Sustainability initiative. The coming twelve months will see us continuing to build on these relationships, as well as working with UNICEF on a business and childrens’ rights led programme.

Our vision is to create an environment in which current and future business leaders see corporate accountability and transparency as key pillars of business success, as well as to become the leading organisation for influencing and improving business behaviour in the Arab world.

In order to help us deliver this vision, 2013 will see more insight-led research being published (our next major piece is due in a matter of weeks), more collaboration with partner organisations, more forums and experience-sharing events across the region, and new programmes for students at leading universities.

All that remains for me is to thank you all for your support over the past twelve months, and we look forward to your continued support over the coming year and beyond.