Global CSR Forum Concludes with 36 New Partnerships

The Global CSR Forum 2026 concluded in Riyadh today, marking the successful completion of its second edition. The forum, which was held under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and hosted by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD) at the Sofitel Riyadh Hotel & Convention Centre, brought together more than 3000 delegates and 100 speakers from around the world across 40 sessions and three stages. The event's theme was "From Commitment to Impact," focusing on the practical realities of implementing corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

During the two-day event, 36 partnership agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were signed, with 8 of them being signed by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. These agreements covered a range of areas, including partnerships with Taif University, King Abdulaziz University, and the University of Jeddah to strengthen the role of universities and scientific research in designing more effective social responsibility initiatives. Additionally, the Ministry signed agreements with Jazan University and Umm Al-Qura University on Master's programs in social responsibility, and with Sa'af Capital to study the creation of an investment fund supporting the long-term financial sustainability of social responsibility.

The remaining agreements, signed between companies, universities, non-profit organizations, government entities, and social programs, focused on five main impact areas: healthcare access, skills and capacity building, community and regional development, sustainable funding for the non-profit sector, and research and impact measurement. Notably, STC Group, Arab National Bank, and Mukatafa also committed to supporting the beneficiaries of the Fund for the Martyrs, Wounded, Prisoners of War, and Missing in Action.

In one of the forum's defining moments, H.E. Eng. Ahmad bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, honored the winners of the third edition of the Corporate Social Responsibility Awards. Applications were assessed across two tracks: the CSR Practices track, which recognized 61 companies, 5 at Gold, 36 at Silver, and 20 at Bronze levels, and the CSR Contributions track, which honored 12 companies: 2 small, 3 medium, 4 large, and 3 very large enterprises.

Ahmad bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi.

In a new addition to this year's program, the Leaders Volunteer initiative saw senior government officials and business leaders offer delegates free, one-on-one advisory sessions throughout the forum. Over the two days, 125 consultations were held, with participating leaders including H.R.H. Princess Sultana bint Bader bin Saud Al Saud, Advisor of Sustainable Communities; H.E. Badr Al-Suwailem, Vice Minister for Social Development; H.E. Eng. Ismail Al-Ghamdi, Assistant Minister for Shared Services; H.E. Ahmed Al-Majed, Deputy Minister for Society Development; and Dr. Mubarak Albogami, Director General of Social Responsibility, alongside senior executives from the private sector.

The Global CSR Forum 2026 successfully concluded, turning two days of dialogue into partnerships for sustainable impact, with 36 partnership agreements and MoUs signed, 73 companies honored at the Corporate Social Responsibility Awards, and 125 one-on-one consultations held through the Leaders Volunteer initiative.