Global CSR Forum 2026 expands ahead of October Riyadh opening

Global CSR Forum 2026 opens in Riyadh on Oct. 5–6, with organizers saying the second edition will draw more than 3,000 participants, 100+ speakers and 40+ sessions. The event aims to move CSR conversations from commitments to measurable impact across business, government and civil society.

Why it matters: - Global CSR Forum 2026 is designed to push corporate social responsibility discussions toward measurable outcomes, not just pledges. - The forum’s expansion to 3,000+ participants, 100+ speakers and 40+ sessions signals growing regional and international attention to CSR in Saudi Arabia. - The event also serves as a benchmark for companies translating responsibility commitments into business and social impact.

What happened: - Organizers shared the forum program one month before Global CSR Forum 2026 opens in Riyadh on 5–6 October. - The second edition builds on the forum’s 2024 debut. - The forum is held under the theme “From Commitment to Impact.” - The event will bring together C-suite executives, government leaders, regulators, standards bodies, institutional investors, academics and civil society.

The details: - The forum will run across three stages: the Global CSR Plenary, the CSR Impact Stage and the CSR Standards Stage. - The Global CSR Plenary will host keynotes, ministerial interventions and panel discussions across both days. - The CSR Impact Stage will feature expert-led masterclasses grounded in global, real-world perspectives. - The CSR Standards Stage will focus on moderated conversations about shared challenges and best practices. - The agenda spans six strategic pillars: Strategy & Integration; Climate, Nature & the Just Transition; People, Talent & Social Impact; Responsible Innovation; Digital Transformation & Corporate Responsibility; and Governance, Trust & Standards. - Sessions will cover board-level accountability, enterprise risk, the economics of aligning corporate responsibility with institutional investment, and practical barriers to implementation inside large organizations. - The program includes a CSR Awards Ceremony recognizing companies across the Kingdom for demonstrated, measurable impact. - More information is available through the forum website. - Media assets are available in the website’s Media Center. - The forum can also be followed on LinkedIn, X and YouTube.

Between the lines: - The forum’s programming suggests Saudi Arabia is positioning CSR as a strategic business and policy issue, not a side initiative. - The emphasis on standards, investment and implementation points to a shift from broad ESG messaging toward operational accountability. - The awards component adds a public recognition layer that may pressure companies to show evidence of progress. - Dr. Mubarak Albogami, Director General of Social Responsibility at the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, said the forum is meant to give participants practical takeaways and encourage constructive dialogue.

What’s next: - The forum will take place in Riyadh on 5–6 October. - Organizers are expected to use the event to spotlight companies, ideas and standards that demonstrate real-world CSR impact. - The discussion in Riyadh will likely shape how Saudi stakeholders frame corporate responsibility going forward.

The bottom line: - Global CSR Forum 2026 is scaling up fast, and its message is clear: CSR in Saudi Arabia is moving from commitment to execution.