ISTANBUL, 13 May 2026 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) KSA Country Office and the General Authority of Awqaf (GAA) of Saudi Arabia today co-hosted a landmark event to introduce the Awqaf Excellence Index, a new framework designed to drive institutional innovation and sustainable impact within the global Waqf sector.

The event, held at the UNDP Conference Hall in Istanbul, brought together 28 participants (16 men and 12 women) comprising high-level representatives from governments, embassies, and international organizations. The showcase detailed the Index’s methodology and its strategic value in advancing both the Waqf sector and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Awqaf Excellence Index establishes a rigorous framework for institutional maturity, grounded in more than 22 international standards, including EFQM, OECD Principles, and GRI. The initiative aims to bridge the gap between traditional Islamic philanthropy and modern impact-oriented financing, fostering excellence and innovation in Waqf-based development cooperation.

The program featured keynote addresses from Ms. Nahid Hussein, UNDP Resident Representative, and Dr. Bandar Alamer, General Supervisor of GAA.

Highlighting the profound significance of this ecosystem, Ms. Hussein remarked, “Calling Waqf the ‘third sector’ may suggest a lesser role, yet in reality, its contribution is just as vital as that of the public and private sectors.”

Emphasizing the strategic requirements to harness this potential, Dr. Alamer added, “The main key point is that waqf is a vital, sustainable development tool that requires strong governance, international collaboration, and standardized frameworks—such as the Awqaf Excellence Index—to maximize its contemporary social and global impact.”

A detailed presentation on the Index’s design and strategic value was additionally delivered by Eng. Mohammed Alkadi of Riyadah Centre, GAA, and Dr. Muniruddeen Lallmahomood, UNDP ICPSD Islamic Finance Portfolio Lead.

This initiative demonstrates how Waqf institutions can create profound shared value across public, private, and civil society sectors, evolving to meet 21st-century challenges and contribute to national and community interests.