On May 14, 2025, the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a top financial hub in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA), launched its bold “1 Million Learners” initiative. The goal? Equip one million people with skills in sustainability and sustainable finance by 2030, building a workforce ready to drive green economic growth. Announced at the Dubai FinTech Summit, this program is a cornerstone of DIFC’s Sustainable Finance Catalyst, aiming to make the region a leader in eco-friendly finance.

What’s the Plan?

The initiative wants to transform how sustainability education is delivered, focusing on practical skills for professionals to tackle climate challenges and meet rising demands for sustainability reporting and regulations. It’s not just about numbers—DIFC is targeting real impact, especially in underserved communities, by making green finance knowledge widely accessible.

Arif Amiri, CEO of DIFC Authority, said, “Real impact begins with education. We’re keeping the MEASA region at the forefront of global sustainable transformation.”

The program is backed by 29 big-name partners, including the United Nations Development Programme, Mastercard, S&P Global, London Stock Exchange Group, PwC Middle East, and Visa. These groups will help create training programs, share expertise, and spread the word. DIFC also tapped GIST Impact, a leader in measuring environmental and social outcomes, to track the program’s success using science-based methods tied to global standards like the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive.

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Why It Matters?

Demand for green skills is skyrocketing. The UAE alone aims to mobilize AED 1 trillion ($272 billion) in sustainable finance by 2030, and globally, companies need workers who can navigate climate policies and ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) rules. The MEASA region, with its fast-growing economies, is a hotspot for green investment—Nasdaq Dubai already leads with 64% of the world’s dollar-based sustainable sukuk (Islamic bonds). This initiative could help the region hit DIFC’s goal of $100 billion in sustainable finance flows by 2030, especially for the Global South.

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Challenges and Opportunities

Scaling education to one million people isn’t easy. The program needs to balance accessibility with depth, especially in underserved areas where digital access or language barriers could limit reach. DIFC’s AI-driven sustainability knowledge hub, part of its Sustainable Finance Catalyst, aims to help by offering tailored training and data access. Still, critics argue the region’s reliance on oil economies, like the UAE’s $22 billion in fossil fuel subsidies in 2023, could slow the shift to green finance.

On the flip side, DIFC’s track record is strong. Its Path to COP28 program, launched in 2022, trained thousands in climate finance, and its Innovation Hub supports 1,000+ fintech startups, many focused on sustainability. With partners like the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership and the CFA Institute, the initiative has the muscle to deliver world-class training.

What’s Next?

DIFC plans to roll out courses through its Academy and Innovation Hub, with events and networking to keep learners engaged. GIST Impact will measure progress, ensuring the program delivers on jobs, equity, and climate goals. By 2030, DIFC hopes to not only train a million people but also grow its sustainable startup ecosystem 50 times its current size. As the UAE pushes for 30% clean energy and 50,000 green jobs by 2030, this could cement Dubai as a global green finance hub.

The “1 Million Learners” initiative is a big bet on education to drive change. If it works, it could reshape how the MEASA region—and the world—tackles sustainability.

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