On behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud - may God protect him - His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Riyadh Region, sponsored the ceremony honoring the winners of the King Khalid Award for the year 2025. The ceremony witnessed a remarkable attendance of Their Highnesses and Excellencies, and pioneers of development and economic work in the Kingdom, where the establishments and individuals who made exceptional contributions in the fields of sustainability, non-profit work, and development partners were celebrated.
A rich heritage and a sustainable development mission
The King Khalid Award is one of the most prominent national platforms bearing the name of King Khalid bin Abdulaziz – may God have mercy on him – and embodies his vision of building a cohesive and prosperous society. Since its inception, the King Khalid Foundation has consistently developed the award's criteria to keep pace with global and local changes, transforming it from a mere annual recognition into an effective tool for enhancing performance in both the private and non-profit sectors. The award serves as a strategic lever aimed at establishing a culture of institutional excellence, promoting good governance practices, and encouraging social innovation that addresses the actual needs of society.
Award categories and role integration
The awards recognized winners across the three main categories: the Sustainability Award, which recognizes outstanding private sector organizations for their implementation of environmental, social, and economic sustainability practices; the Non-Profit Organizations Award, which targets associations and civil society organizations with exceptional administrative and financial performance; and the Development Partners Award, which focuses on innovative initiatives led by individuals or groups to address pressing community issues. This diversity of categories reflects the award's comprehensive developmental vision, combining the strength of the private sector, the spirit of the third sector, and the creativity of individuals.
Alignment with the Kingdom's Vision 2030
This year's ceremony holds particular significance as it coincides with the maturing of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 programs, especially those aimed at empowering the non-profit sector and increasing its contribution to the GDP. The King Khalid Award plays a pivotal role in achieving the Vision's objectives by motivating organizations to adopt global standards in performance and impact measurement. By highlighting successful models, the award contributes to creating a positive competitive environment that drives sustainable development and reinforces the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as an integral part of business strategies, not merely a peripheral activity.
Local impact with regional dimensions
The impact of the King Khalid Award extends beyond mere recognition; it encompasses the development of institutional capacity. Participating entities undergo rigorous evaluation processes, receiving feedback and detailed reports that enable them to improve their future performance. This approach has established the award as a benchmark for excellence in the region and a model for managing development awards aimed at creating tangible and real change. The honoring of the winners by the Governor of Riyadh underscores the unwavering support of the wise leadership for all initiatives that elevate both people and place, and solidify the values of giving and dedication within Saudi society.
