Khawla Al Mehairi: Sustainability is no longer an environmental issue; strategic communication transforms society from message recipients into partners in creating impact

Khawla Al Mehairi: Sustainability is no longer an environmental issue; strategic communication transforms society from message recipients into partners in creating impact

Dr Mohammed Al Dhaheri: Sustainable impact begins with investing in people and building competencies capable of transforming vision into practice, fostering public trust

Dubai, UAE, 16 September 2026: Speaking at the 2026 edition of the Arab Media Summit, Khawla Al Mehairi, Executive Vice President of Strategy and Government Communications at Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), said sustainability has become a global strategic priority because of its close links to economic and social development, resource security, quality of life and the wellbeing of future generations.

Al Mehairi made the remarks during a session titled ‘Government Communication in the Era of Sustainability’, where she joined HE Dr Mohammed Al Dhaheri, Deputy Director General of the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy, in a discussion moderated by Maysa Al Qalla.

Al Mehairi explained that the real challenge lies not in explaining sustainability to the public, but in embedding it into everyday behaviour and organisational culture. She noted that DEWA’s Sustainability Culture Index exceeded 92% across its workforce in 2025, with employees putting that culture into action by contributing to the recycling of about 1.5 million bottles and cans over the past three years. She also highlighted DEWA’s role in helping customers make more informed and efficient decisions about energy and water consumption through digital initiatives and services such as the Smart Living initiative and the High Water Usage Alert service. More than three million proactive notifications have been issued through these services, helping prevent the waste of more than 61 million cubic metres of water and delivering savings of approximately AED 743 million.

Al Dhaheri emphasised that government communication helps embed sustainability as both a shared responsibility and an organisational culture reflected in daily decisions and practices.

“Sustainable impact begins with investing in people and building competencies capable of transforming vision into practice, fostering public trust and embodying the nation’s values. This is a priority at the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy, where we train diplomats who combine knowledge with the ability to engage in dialogue and communicate across cultures, while helping to build partnerships that support national priorities. When an organisation’s messages align with its performance, its achievements become a source of credibility and a form of soft power that enhances the nation’s global presence and influence,” said Al Dhaheri.

From plans to a daily culture

Addressing the transformation of sustainability and communication from strategies and plans into daily practice, Al Mehairi explained that the challenge lies in translating them into meaningful actions and an everyday culture whose benefits are felt at both the individual and societal level. She noted that the UAE has successfully established a model based on tangible achievements and supported by projects, initiatives and measurable results. She cited the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park as a leading example of turning ambition into measurable achievements.

Highlighting platforms that promote dialogue, knowledge exchange and partnerships, such as the Water, Energy, Technology and Environment Exhibition (WETEX) and the World Green Economy Summit (WGES), Al Mehairi said this ecosystem has strengthened the UAE’s international standing in sustainability and climate action, culminating in its hosting of COP28. She stressed that achievements build credibility, which gives a message its strength and impact.

Al Mehairi emphasised that these results reflect the evolving role of corporate communication as a strategic tool that empowers communities and transforms individuals from recipients of messages into partners in driving meaningful impact and creating value.

“We do not measure the success of communication solely by the number of messages delivered or followers gained, but by the impact we create and the value we add to the community and the organisation,” said Al Mehairi. She noted that these efforts have helped increase DEWA’s brand value to USD 1.1 billion, reinforcing its position as the UAE’s strongest utilities brand.

Trust is built before crises happen

Discussing crisis communication, Al Mehairi emphasised that the greatest challenge lies in the rapid spread of information and the multiplicity of sources, often accompanied by misinformation and inaccurate narratives. She stressed that effective crisis communication requires messages that are accurate, consistent, transparent and unified. She noted that “trust is not built during a crisis; it is built before it and tested during it”, adding that the credibility of a message stems from the strength of an organisation and its achievements.

Innovation: the golden key to the future

Al Mehairi identified future-focused innovation as the “golden key” to ensuring sustainable impact, citing the words of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who said: “The future belongs to those who can imagine it, design it and execute it. It isn’t something you await, but rather create.” She explained that DEWA embraces innovation as a corporate culture that transforms challenges into opportunities through investments in artificial intelligence, digital transformation, clean energy and future technologies, while simultaneously developing national talent and capabilities.

Al Mehairi concluded by emphasising that DEWA’s ambitions extend beyond generating clean energy to building a green digital economy and an integrated ecosystem that meets current and future energy and water needs, while reinforcing the leadership of Dubai and the UAE and creating sustainable value for future generations.