Riyadh, October 30, 2024 – The first Global Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Forum commenced today in Riyadh, held under the esteemed patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Organized by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, this landmark event carries the theme “From Commitment to Impact” and aims to elevate social responsibility initiatives both locally and globally.
In his opening remarks, Eng. Ahmad bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, expressed his gratitude and enthusiasm for the forum, stating, “On behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, it is my honor to welcome you to the first Global CSR Forum. Saudi Arabia envisions this forum as a global platform for dialogue on social responsibility, enabling us to meet, exchange expertise, and address challenges while exploring solutions and opportunities to enhance private sector involvement in sustainable development.”
Al-Rajhi emphasized that Saudi Arabia’s strides in social responsibility represent an “inspiring transformation and empowerment story.” He pointed out that promoting corporate social responsibility is a strategic objective embedded in the Saudi Vision 2030 framework. This vision has led to the development of various tools and enablers designed to drive strategic transformation within the realm of corporate social responsibility. Initiatives include the establishment of a Social Responsibility Committee by Cabinet decision, the formulation of a comprehensive social responsibility strategy, and the launch of a national platform to promote transparency in social responsibility efforts.
Notably, March 23 has been declared an annual Social Responsibility Day, spotlighting private sector initiatives. Additionally, a corporate social responsibility guide has been issued, a social responsibility index has been developed for the Saudi market, and efforts have been made to create a unified national identity for social responsibility.
The Minister reported remarkable growth in corporate social responsibility engagement across the Kingdom. Contributions to social spending increased significantly, rising from 1.19% in 2019 to 4.15% by the end of 2023. Furthermore, the percentage of large companies with established CSR programs surged from 30% to 65% during the same timeframe. This impressive progress is reflected in Saudi Arabia's enhanced global standing, as the country climbed to 16th place in the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2024’s Social Responsibility Index, up from 41st place in 2021. Al-Rajhi expressed confidence that by 2030, Saudi Arabia would rank among the top nations in the field of corporate social responsibility.
The forum serves as an essential gathering, aiming to engage decision-makers from the private sector, government representatives, development organizations, and experts in social responsibility and sustainability. Participants will engage in critical discussions on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
With the goal of fostering innovation and shaping the future of social responsibility on a global scale, the forum aspires to encourage excellence and competitiveness. It aims to facilitate partnerships among public, private, and non-profit sectors while expanding opportunities for international collaboration in the field of corporate social responsibility.
As the forum unfolds, it promises to be a significant milestone in advancing the agenda of social responsibility, paving the way for impactful initiatives that can benefit communities both in Saudi Arabia and around the world.
