Khaled Aloud (Riyadh Daily)
Global CSR Forum 2024 Begins in Riyadh under Patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman

The Global CSR Forum began today in Riyadh at the Four Seasons Hotel under the patronage of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The two-day forum, themed "From Commitment to Impact," is organized by the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.

The forum has drawn an impressive lineup of government ministers, international CEOs, and CSR experts worldwide. Industry leaders have gathered to discuss the evolving landscape of corporate social responsibility and its global impact.

At the opening of the Global CSR Forum, Saudi Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, Ahmad Al-Rajhi, said, "On behalf of King Salman, I am pleased to welcome you to the first Global CSR Forum 2024." Al-Rajhi highlighted Saudi Arabia’s vision to establish a world-class platform for social responsibility dialogue.

"This forum aims to foster global partnerships and create new models for public-private collaboration in sustainable development, “as stated by Al-Rajhi.

The Minister emphasized the forum's role in facilitating knowledge exchange and addressing challenges in corporate social responsibility, with a particular focus on expanding private sector participation in sustainability initiatives.

Al-Rajhi outlined the evolution of corporate social responsibility, emphasizing its increasing focus on innovation, sustainable digitization, and strategic transformation. He underlined the growing trend of companies integrating technology, recycling, and circular economy principles into their daily operations. This shift includes renewable energy to drive environmental sustainability, human development, and balanced community growth. The Minister concluded by recognizing the private sector's vital role in creating a better world.




The Minister hailed Saudi Arabia's progress in social responsibility as "an inspiring story of transformation and empowerment," emphasizing the Kingdom's dedication to embedding it as a strategic goal within Saudi Vision 2030. This commitment, he explained, is evident in the aim of "strengthening companies' fulfillment of their social responsibilities" and has spurred the development of key initiatives. These include the formation of a dedicated social responsibility committee, the creation of a national strategy, and the launch of a national platform to drive transparency in social responsibility reporting. Furthermore, the Kingdom has declared March 23rd as Social Responsibility Day to showcase private sector efforts issued guidance for companies, developed a social responsibility index for the Saudi market, and fostered a shared national identity for social responsibility.

The Minister reported a significant increase in corporate social responsibility engagement across the country. These contributions to social spending jumped from 1.19% in 2019 to 4.15% by the end of 2023, while the percentage of large companies with CSR programs jumped from 30% to 65% during the same period. This progress is reflected in Saudi Arabia's improved global ranking, climbing to 16th place in the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2024's Social Responsibility Index, up from 41st in 2021. The Minister was confident that Saudi Arabia will be among the top CSR countries in the world by 2030.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development hosts a forum to foster collaboration and innovation in corporate social responsibility and sustainability. The forum brings together private sector leaders, government officials, development organizations, and CSR experts to discuss challenges, explore opportunities, and shape the future of social responsibility globally. The Ministry aims to promote excellence and competitiveness, encourage partnerships across sectors, and pave the way for international collaboration in CSR.


tweet
Related News
Comments.