Managing Environmental and Social Risks: Protecting Business Value and Building Resilience
USQBC Doha
The US-Qatar Business Council – Doha (USQBC Doha) will be hosting a member-only expert briefing, "Managing Environmental and Social Risks: Protecting Business Value and Building Resilience," organized in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, as part of Qatar Sustainability Week 2026.
As a Community Partner of QSW 2026, USQBC Doha aims to provide members with opportunities to gain practical insights, strengthen business resilience, and contribute to Qatar's sustainability agenda. The session will be joined by member companies across the U.S.-Qatar commercial corridor.
Session Description:
Effective environmental and social (E&S) risk management is no longer simply a compliance requirement. It is a strategic business imperative that helps organizations strengthen resilience, safeguard reputation, improve operational performance, maintain access to markets and finance, and create long-term value. As climate change, resource constraints, evolving regulations, and stakeholder expectations reshape the global economy, businesses must be prepared to identify and manage emerging environmental, social, and climate-related risks.
This session will explore the key sustainability challenges and opportunities facing businesses today, including climate risk, resource efficiency, labor and workforce considerations, supply chain resilience, community impacts, and corporate governance. Participants will gain insight into practical approaches for integrating E&S and climate considerations into business strategy, risk management, investment decisions, and operational processes.
The discussion will highlight the growing role of regulation, technological innovation, financial institutions, and sustainability service providers in enabling the transition to more sustainable and resilient business models. Drawing on IFC’s global experience across industries and markets, the session will share lessons learned and good international practices that help companies manage risk while unlocking new opportunities for growth and competitiveness.
Aligned with Qatar’s national sustainability ambitions and economic diversification agenda, the session will examine how strong sustainability performance can support business resilience, innovation, and long-term prosperity in an increasingly interconnected and climate-conscious world.
Format: Online Webinar
About the Speaker
Dr. Afifa Raihana is a Senior Environmental Specialist and Acting Environmental and Social (E&S) Regional Manager at IFC. She brings more than 20 years of international experience in sustainable finance, climate change, E&S risk management, and responsible investment. Her work includes supporting financial institutions, central banks, and regulators in the development of sustainable finance frameworks in Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Georgia, Iraq, and Kazakhstan.