Pearl Initiative is the leading independent, not-for-profit, private sector-led organisation working across the Gulf Region of the Middle East to influence and improve corporate accountability and transparency. Founded in 2010, the organisation was launched in September 2010 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York in cooperation with the United Nations Office for Partnerships.
Pearl Initiative is a regionally-focused growing network of business leaders committed to driving joint action, exhibiting positive leadership and sharing knowledge and experience to positively influence the entire regional business and student community towards implementing higher standards in areas such as corporate governance, diversity in leadership teams, anti-corruption, integrated reporting and responsible investment. The organization publishes regional research-based insight reports and case studies, convenes high-level business dialogue forums, and runs innovative university programmes and student competitions.
Pearl Initiative has 48 employees and reported $6.7 million in annual revenue. The organization is based in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. The organization was granted Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council in 2019.





