Global CSR Forum 2026 Concludes in Riyadh, Turning Two Days of Dialogue into Partnerships for Sustainable Impact

RIYADH, إمارة دبيّ, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, October 8, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- ● The second edition of the Global CSR Forum concluded today in Riyadh, bringing together more than 3000 delegates, 100 speakers and 40 sessions under the theme "From Commitment to Impact"
● 36 partnership agreements and MoUs were signed
● 73 companies were honoured at the third edition of the Corporate Social Responsibility Awards
● Senior government officials and business leaders held 125 one-on-one consultations with Senior Leaders through the new Leaders Volunteer initiative


The Global CSR Forum closed its second edition in Riyadh today, following two days of keynotes, panel discussions and fireside chats held under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Hosted by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD) at the Sofitel Riyadh Hotel & Convention Centre, the Forum convened more than 3000 delegates and 100 speakers from around the world across 40 sessions and three stages, under the theme "From Commitment to Impact."

Across the Forum's six strategic pillars, discussions focused on the practical realities of implementation, from board-level accountability and enterprise risk, to how capital markets are pricing responsibility, to the role of emerging technology in the future of work. Practitioners shared where commitments are delivering results, where they stall, and what it takes to close the gap between pledges and measurable impact.

36 partnership agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed during a dedicated ceremony, 8 of them by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. The Ministry's agreements include 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; with Jazan University and Umm Al-Qura University on Master's programmes 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 Ministry also signed agreements with the Northern Borders Strategic Office to strengthen the role of the cooperative sector in the region, with Al-Dawaa Medical Services Company to support the medical needs of individuals and families benefiting from the Ministry's social support programmes, and memoranda of cooperation with Jameel Community and Bupa.

The remaining agreements, signed between companies, universities, non-profit organizations, government entities and social programmes, reflect 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. 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, took to the main stage to honour the winners of the third edition of the Corporate Social Responsibility Awards. Applications were assessed across two tracks. In the CSR Practices track, 61 companies were recognized, 5 at Gold, 36 at Silver and 20 at Bronze level, while 12 companies were recognized in the CSR Contributions track: 2 small, 3 medium, 4 large and 3 very large enterprises.

"Today, we celebrate companies that have chosen to make their responsibility to society part of their institutional ambition, and partners who work to understand needs, deliver solutions and turn them into effective initiatives that benefit the economy, society and the environment, contributing to lasting impact," said H.E. Eng. Ahmad bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi.

In a new addition to this year's programme, the Leaders Volunteer initiative saw senior government officials and business leaders offer delegates free, one-on-one advisory sessions throughout the Forum, with 125 consultations held over the two days. Participating leaders included 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.


Notes to Editor
For media inquiries, please contact: m.binsaeed@hrsd.gov.sa or A.alzaid@hrsd.gov.sa

Mohammed Bin Saeed
Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development
m.binsaeed@hrsd.gov.sa
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