Global CSR Forum closes Riyadh edition with 36 deals and 3,000 delegates

The second Global CSR Forum ended in Riyadh after two days that drew more than 3,000 delegates, 100 speakers and 40 sessions focused on moving from commitment to measurable impact. The event produced 36 partnership agreements, honored 73 companies at the CSR Awards and introduced a new advisory volunteer program for senior leaders.

Why it matters: - The forum turned policy and business discussion into signed agreements, award recognition and new advisory sessions. - The outcomes point to more collaboration on healthcare access, skills, community development, sustainable funding and impact measurement. - The event also showed how governments and companies are trying to link social responsibility to measurable economic and social results.

What happened: - The second edition of the Global CSR Forum concluded in Riyadh after two days of keynotes, panels and fireside chats. - The forum was held under the patronage of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. - The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development hosted the event at the Sofitel Riyadh Hotel & Convention Centre. - More than 3,000 delegates and 100 speakers took part across 40 sessions and three stages. - The forum ran under the theme “From Commitment to Impact.”

The details: - Discussions across six strategic pillars focused on board-level accountability, enterprise risk, capital markets and responsibility, and emerging technology in the future of work. - 36 partnership agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed during a dedicated ceremony. - Eight of those agreements were signed by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. - Ministry agreements included partnerships with Taif University, King Abdulaziz University and the University of Jeddah to strengthen universities’ and researchers’ role in designing social responsibility initiatives. - The Ministry signed deals with Jazan University and Umm Al-Qura University on master’s programs in social responsibility. - The Ministry reached an agreement with Sa'af Capital to study an investment fund aimed at long-term financial sustainability for social responsibility. - Additional Ministry agreements included the Northern Borders Strategic Office on the cooperative sector, Al-Dawaa Medical Services Company on medical needs for beneficiaries of social support programs, and memoranda of cooperation with Jameel Community and Bupa. - The remaining agreements involved companies, universities, nonprofits, government entities and social programs. - Those agreements centered on healthcare access, skills and capacity building, community and regional development, sustainable funding for the nonprofit sector, and research and impact measurement. - STC Group, Arab National Bank and Mukatafa also pledged support for beneficiaries of the Fund for the Martyrs, Wounded, Prisoners of War and Missing in Action. - H.E. Eng. Ahmad bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi honored the winners of the third Corporate Social Responsibility Awards. - In the CSR Practices track, 61 companies were recognized: 5 Gold, 36 Silver and 20 Bronze. - In the CSR Contributions track, 12 companies were recognized: 2 small, 3 medium, 4 large and 3 very large enterprises. - The Leaders Volunteer initiative delivered 125 one-on-one advisory consultations during the two days. - Participating leaders included H.R.H. Princess Sultana bint Bader bin Saud Al Saud, H.E. Badr Al-Suwailem, H.E. Eng. Ismail Al-Ghamdi, H.E. Ahmed Al-Majed and Dr. Mubarak Albogami, along with senior private-sector executives.

Between the lines: - The forum is moving beyond broad commitments and toward deal-making, implementation and measurement. - The mix of universities, government bodies, nonprofits and companies suggests the CSR agenda is becoming more cross-sector and more operational. - The advisory sessions signal a push to make senior leaders more directly available to delegates and beneficiaries. - “Today, we celebrate companies that have chosen to make their responsibility to society part of their institutional ambition,” H.E. Eng. Ahmad bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi said.

What’s next: - The signed partnerships will now move into execution, with some focused on research, education, health support and funding models. - The forum’s new volunteer advisory format may become a more visible part of future editions if organizers keep building on this year’s turnout. - The agreements and awards set a higher benchmark for the next Global CSR Forum as stakeholders look for measurable follow-through.

The bottom line: - Riyadh’s CSR forum ended with a clear message: social responsibility is being judged less by pledges and more by partnerships, programs and proof of impact.