Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Awqaf’s Riyadah Center presented its groundbreaking Awqaf Excellence Index at the second World Summit for Social Development in Qatar, marking a significant step in the Kingdom’s efforts to modernize and standardize Islamic endowment management globally. The three-day summit, organized by the United Nations Development Program from November 4-6, 2025, provided an international platform to showcase this pioneering Saudi initiative.
Context and Background
The Awqaf Excellence Index represents a landmark development in the standardization of Islamic endowment management, positioning Saudi Arabia at the forefront of modernizing traditional charitable institutions. The Riyadah Center, operating under the General Authority for Awqaf, has developed this comprehensive framework to transform endowments into powerful economic drivers while maintaining their core charitable purpose.
This initiative aligns with the growing global interest in sustainable development and ethical finance, offering a structured approach to managing charitable endowments that combines traditional Islamic principles with modern governance standards.
Key Components and Objectives
The Excellence Index introduces unified standards focusing on three primary areas: trust, transparency, and operational excellence. These components are designed to enhance the efficiency and impact of Awqaf institutions worldwide, providing a clear framework for evaluation and improvement.
By establishing these comprehensive standards, the index aims to modernize endowment management practices and maximize their socio-economic impact through professional governance structures and transparent reporting mechanisms.
International Impact and Development Goals
The presentation of the Awqaf Excellence Index at the World Summit demonstrates Saudi Arabia’s commitment to contributing to global development initiatives. The index’s framework directly supports several UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to poverty reduction, sustainable communities, and economic growth.
International development experts at the summit acknowledged the potential of this Saudi initiative to transform traditional charitable endowments into modern, efficient institutions capable of generating sustainable social impact.
Vision 2030 Alignment
The Riyadah Center’s showcase of the Awqaf Excellence Index represents a significant milestone in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives, particularly in establishing the Kingdom as a global leader in Islamic finance and social development. This initiative demonstrates Saudi Arabia’s commitment to modernizing traditional institutions while preserving their cultural and religious significance, setting new standards for excellence in charitable endowment management worldwide.