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Inauguration

The Global Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Forum commenced in Riyadh on Monday under the auspices of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. This forum, organized by the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development under the theme “From Commitment to Impact,” marks a significant initiative aimed at encouraging and expanding CSR practices among corporations. The event draws global attention to the importance of social responsibility, underscoring the role of companies in advancing community welfare, sustainability, and ethical governance.

In his opening address, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, Engineer Ahmad bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi, emphasized the forum’s purpose as a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge exchange. “Our goal with this forum is to establish a global platform where experts, policymakers, and industry leaders can come together, share insights, and collectively work towards expanding private sector involvement in sustainable development,” he said. By providing this forum, Saudi Arabia is aiming to create a model of global partnerships that bridge the public and private sectors in tackling social and environmental challenges.

CSR in Saudi Vision 2030: A Strategic Focus

The Minister also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s accomplishments and strategic focus on CSR as part of its Vision 2030 agenda, which emphasizes “promoting corporate social responsibility” as a key pillar. Vision 2030 envisions a prosperous and sustainable future where businesses take a proactive role in addressing social challenges. This strategy includes the development of various tools and enablers to drive CSR transformation across industries in Saudi Arabia.

Key milestones include the establishment of a dedicated Social Responsibility Committee by Cabinet decision, a comprehensive national CSR strategy, and the launch of a social responsibility platform to promote transparency and accountability. Further, March 23 has been designated as an annual Social Responsibility Day to raise awareness of CSR initiatives, and a Corporate Social Responsibility Guide has been published to provide businesses with a framework for responsible practices.

Rising Corporate Engagement in CSR

Saudi Arabia has seen a significant increase in corporate social responsibility engagement over recent years. Corporate contributions to social initiatives increased from 1.19% of spending in 2019 to 4.15% by the end of 2023. The percentage of large companies with dedicated CSR programs also saw a rise from 30% to 65% during the same period. This progress was reflected in Saudi Arabia’s ranking on the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook’s Social Responsibility Index, where it rose from 41st position in 2021 to 16th place in 2024.

Minister Al-Rajhi expressed confidence that Saudi Arabia would be among the leading countries in CSR globally by 2030. “This forum exemplifies our commitment to global leadership in social responsibility,” he remarked, “and we aim to create lasting change by setting standards that other nations can follow.”

Key Forum Objectives: Partnerships, Innovation, and Global Collaboration

At the forum, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development aims to foster an environment where decision-makers from the private sector, government agencies, development organizations, and CSR experts can address the challenges and opportunities for growth in social responsibility. The forum seeks to promote innovation, set a global agenda for social responsibility, and facilitate partnerships across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

By promoting excellence and competitiveness, the forum aspires to shape the future of social responsibility on a global scale and expand opportunities for international collaboration in CSR practices. Through its initiatives, the forum underscores Saudi Arabia’s role as a global hub for sustainable development, seeking to inspire other nations to adopt proactive CSR measures.

This landmark CSR forum in Riyadh is poised to set new standards in corporate responsibility, ensuring businesses align their practices with societal well-being and environmental stewardship. Through its leadership and commitment to CSR, Saudi Arabia is not only enhancing its national growth but also contributing to a more responsible global business landscape.