The annual CSR Summit is being held in the Kingdom for the first time. This is in recognition of leadership shown by Saudi companies and establishments in making social responsibility a key part of their corporate strategy, according to the event organizer.

“We are delighted at bringing the CSR Summit to Saudi Arabia for the first time since it is the region’s biggest market and the country where its leading companies have become accomplished and effective practitioners of CSR with world-class programs and initiatives that represent outstanding thinking and care for the communities in which they operate,” said Sally Corander, CSR series director, IIR Middle East, the organizer of CSR Saudi 2103.

In order to utilize local expertise and know-how, IIRME has partnered with TRACCS, a major PR network in the region, and appointed as an official PR partner for the event.

Mohamed Al-Ayed, president and CEO of TRACCS and a pioneer in CSR, said: “We are very pleased that TRACCS is participating in the CSR Summit as an official PR partner and proud, it is at last coming to Saudi Arabia where social responsibility has become deeply rooted within ethics of corporate practice as a natural extension of our Islamic culture.”

Al-Ayed added: “In the Kingdom, both the private and public sectors have long recognized the importance of CSR for corporate branding among stakeholders within the community, Saudi companies and organizations are now at the forefront of developing and implementing innovative and sustainable CSR programs. Consequently, while Saudi Arabia has the pleasure of hosting CSR experts from around the world, we will have the pleasure of showing them just how advanced the Kingdom is in its own CSR expertise.

The CSR Summit will be held from Nov. 25-27 at the Park Hyatt Hotel Jeddah.