When United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were introduced in 2016, they were not just a set of goals aiming to promote prosperity but also to address inequality while protecting the environment.
With the 2030 deadline approaching, numerous goals have not yet been achieved. A recent report showed only 15 per cent of the goals are on track.
Dean of Faculty of Islamic Economics and Finance (FEKIm) at Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) Dr Muhammad Zaki bin Haji Zaini @ Haji Jaineh said this at the opening ceremony of the 11th ASEAN Universities International Conference on Islamic Finance 2023 (11th AICIF).
He also stressed on the importance of collective action and urged industry players and academicians to discuss Islamic finance’s role in contributing to the SDGs.
The first day of the two-day conference being hosted at Balai Khazanah Islam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah saw the attendance of Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy (Economy) Dato Seri Paduka Haji Khairuddin bin Haji Abdul Hamid and UNISSA Rector Dr Haji Norarfan bin Haji Zainal.
The 11th AICIF is organised by UNISSA and institutes of higher learning in Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.
The opening day also saw a keynote speech from FEKIm lecturer Dr Hakimah Yaacob on ‘Exploring Islamic Values and Norms on Sustainability from Multidisciplinary Approaches’.
Some 200 participants are attending the conference which ends tomorrow. Seventy working papers, covering six themes, will be presented throughout the conference. – Rokiah Mahmud
