©Katarina Premfors 2017 Guided by five pillars – sustainability, leadership, innovation, social legacy, and education – the ICCA Congress 2024 created a multi-layered legacy strategy, supported by the expertise of GDS-Movement and #MEET4IMPACT, that continues to influence the city’s event ecosystem.
From the start, Abu Dhabi and its partners were determined to show that international congresses can go beyond knowledge exchange to create measurable community impact.
Mubarak Al Shamsi, Director of the Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau (pictured right between ICCA CEO Senthil Gopinath and ICCA President Martha Gomes), reflected: “It was a demonstration of how we’ve grown in hosting international business events, and it certainly aligns with Abu Dhabi’s strategic mission.”
Tackling Food Waste and Inclusivity
One of the most tangible outcomes of the Congress was Abu Dhabi’s pioneering approach to food waste, designed to ensure that surplus food was either rescued, redistributed, or repurposed rather than ending up in landfill. The approach was deliberately tiered across venues to maximise impact and demonstrate scalable solutions.
At ADNEC, the host venue, the strategy resulted in a landmark achievement: the first-ever ‘Zero Food Waste to Landfill’ certification, verified under The Pledge on Food Waste. This was made possible through close collaboration with ne’ma and ADNEC’s in-house composting system, ensuring that all food waste was captured and diverted from landfill.
At partner venues such as Emirates Palace and the Ritz-Carlton, the focus was on implementing the ne’ma food rescue framework alongside existing internal systems. Here, edible surpluses were redistributed through donations, while waste was composted with the support of ne’ma’s partner Reloop.
Total food donations across all venues generated more than 1,000 kg of food, while 1651 kg of food waste was processed via ADNEC’s in-house composting system and Reloop, diverting it from landfill.
. The initiative prevented over 2,500 kg of CO₂e emissions and, critically, led to a formal MoU between DCT Abu Dhabi and ne’ma, embedding food waste reduction into the city’s broader event strategy.
The ne’ma team emphasised the importance of collaboration in achieving this milestone: “The ‘Zero Food to Landfill’ framework allowed us to rescue food surpluses, compost waste into fertiliser, and prevent emissions. This achievement would not have been possible without the commitment of all partners.”
Sustainability was not limited to environmental impact. The Congress highlighted inclusivity by engaging the Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination (ZHO), which produced the delegate lanyards. This initiative created vocational opportunities for individuals with disabilities and underscored Abu Dhabi’s belief that social sustainability is inseparable from environmental progress.
As one ZHO participant put it: “Being part of an international event like ICCA gave us pride and visibility. It showed that inclusivity is not just a theme – it can be a lived reality.”
Offsetting Approach and Carbon Neutrality
Beyond food and resource management, the ICCA Congress 2024 was also delivered as a carbon-neutral event, with 100% of unavoidable emissions offset in partnership with DCT Abu Dhabi. Using the TRACE measurement tool, the Congress calculated a total footprint of 3,768 tCO₂e, the equivalent of removing nearly 1,900 cars from the road for a year. The majority of emissions stemmed from delegate travel, with smaller contributions from accommodation, energy use, catering, and production.
Offsets were channelled into a portfolio of Gold Standard-certified, provided by South Pole, projects selected for their environmental and social value. These included expanding wind energy in Turkey, distributing efficient cookstoves in Mozambique, supporting clean water access in Uganda, and investing in hydropower in Vietnam. Together, these projects not only balanced the event’s emissions but also contributed to global development goals.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Youth development emerged as one of the Congress’s strongest legacies. More than 100 university students joined the event, engaging directly with industry leaders through the BE Ambassadors Programme and the Young Professionals Forum. These initiatives triggered mentorship, reverse learning, and career visibility.
Survey results revealed that 83% of students now see the business events sector as a career of choice, while 75% built meaningful professional connections. The formation of the new ICCAUni Forum, set to debut in Sohar, Oman, in 2025, is a direct outcome of Abu Dhabi’s push to create structured pathways for young talent in the sector.
These two youth initiatives were also an opportunity for industry leaders to recognise what the next generation brings to the table – fresh ideas, new perspectives, and a strong commitment to innovation, culture, and leadership. ICCA 2024 marked a shift in understanding, revealing not only the value of young professionals and students but also their eagerness to be actively included in shaping the industry’s future.
For many students, this was a life-changing opportunity. “Attending the ICCA Congress as a student has been an exceptional experience. Being the only student from Germany gave me a unique perspective to learn about the diverse approaches across countries and discover both the differences and similarities within our industry. This experience has truly inspired me and solidified my commitment to this field,” said Inka Hagemann, Hochschule Osnabrück.
Beyond the Numbers
Although the economic impact and certifications were a big part of Abu Dhabi’s success with ICCA Congress 2024, the focus was on including sustainability and inclusivity into the core of event hosting in a way that will shape the global meetings industry for years to come.
As Senthil Gopinath, ICCA CEO, put it: “The Congress in Abu Dhabi was transformational, breaking the barriers of traditional event formats. It created an open-source knowledge exchange where learning happened in real time, engaging professionals at all levels – including the future generation of professionals.”
The Congress not only advanced global industry practices but also shifted perceptions of Abu Dhabi. Delegates spoke of the city’s readiness to lead on sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation. As Ioannis Pallas, Managing Director of the European Society of Association Executives, noted: “Abu Dhabi knows where it needs to innovate and what it needs to change to make the destination more sustainable and more efficient. They are on the right path.”
Similarly, Zubair Ahmed of Abu Dhabi University reflected: “Attending the ICCA Congress was an exceptional experience that broadened my understanding of the global meetings industry. The collaborative atmosphere and access to cutting-edge ideas made this congress a must-attend.”
The legacy now rests not only in the city’s reputation but also in the everyday practices of suppliers, students, and partners who were touched by this Congress.
If you’re interested in learning more about Abu Dhabi’s business events journey, visit visitabudhabi.ae.