UNDP and Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Awqaf Showcase New Index to Boost Sustainable Development

ISTANBUL, 13 May 2026 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) 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 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. A detailed presentation on the Index’s design and strategic value was 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.