DUBAI, UAE, 4 February 2025: Global tech company, Beyond ONE, today launchedTerrace Talks, a new thought leadership series designed to advance the solution ofpressing global challenges through meaningful dialogue and action looking at therole of technology. The inaugural event, focused on sustainability and conservation,brought together international experts and regional innovators who showcased howcross-sector collaboration can drive tangible results.Markus Tagger, Group CEO of Beyond ONE, said: “The world needs fewerconferences and more real conversations that lead somewhere. Terrace Talksbrings together people who are driving change in their fields, to share what’sworking and forge new partnerships. Today we’ve seen how that approach deliversresults – from protecting rainforests to transforming how we handle food waste inour region. While technology can improve the world if mindfully used, it still causessignificant damage to our planet, people, and society. Terrace Talks aims to addressthese tensions and spark thinking towards joint solutions”The inaugural Terrace Talks brought together Peter Bennett, Founder Director ofRainforest Concern; Lama Saleh, Programme Development Director at Goumbook;and Dr. Haythem Riahi, CEO and Founder of Circa Biotech. Each speaker sharedinsights and achievements demonstrating how different sectors are drivingenvironmental innovation and impact.Bennett detailed the impact of corporate-conservation partnerships throughBeyond ONE’s support of Ecuador’s Neblina Reserve. The protected area has grownto nearly 3,000 hectares, recently documenting the return of rare species includingjaguars and the Longnose Harlequin Frog, previously thought extinct.
“When companies like Beyond ONE commit to conservation, we move beyondtraditional CSR to achieve lasting impact,” said Bennett. “Our partnership has notonly protected 480 hectares of critical cloud forest but is actively supportingbiodiversity – as evidenced by recent sightings of species many thought were lostforever. This is what meaningful corporate conservation looks like.”Regional innovation featured prominently, with Dr. Haythem Riahi, CEO of CircaBiotech, announcing a partnership with leading regional supermarket chainSpinneys that has achieved a 54% reduction in food waste through advancedbiotechnology.”Our partnership with Spinneys proves that sustainable solutions can deliver realbusiness value,” said Riahi. “A 54% reduction in food waste isn’t just an environmentalwin – it’s transforming how businesses think about waste management. The UAE isbecoming a testbed for these kinds of innovative sustainability solutions.”Lama Saleh, Programme Development Director at Goumbook, outlined frameworksfor multi-stakeholder environmental action through their initiatives like the MENAOceans program.”The UAE is uniquely positioned to drive sustainability innovation in the MENA region,”said Saleh. “Through our campaigns and initiatives like ‘Give a Ghaf’ and ‘MENAOceans’, we’re demonstrating how local knowledge and regional best practices canmeet to develop effective environmental solutions tailored to our region byengaging diverse stakeholders.”The bi-monthly series leverages Dubai’s unique position as a global hub to bringtogether thought leaders, innovators and decision-makers tackling criticalchallenges – from technological disruption to economic inclusion – turning dialogueinto meaningful action.For more information, visit www.beyond.one
