Under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and on his behalf - may God protect him - His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Riyadh Region, honored the pioneers of social work who won in the thirteenth session of the “Princess Seetah bint Abdulaziz Award for Excellence in Social Work” for the year 2025. The ceremony was held in Riyadh, in the presence of a select group of officials and prominent figures interested in the social and developmental sector in the Kingdom.
Background and history of the award
The Princess Seetah bint Abdulaziz Award for Excellence in Social Work was established by royal decree of the late King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (may God have mercy on him) in 2012, in commemoration of his sister, Princess Seetah, who was known for her profound passion for charitable and humanitarian work and her outstanding contributions to serving Saudi society. The award aims to solidify a culture of institutional social work, encourage innovative initiatives that contribute to achieving sustainable development, and honor individuals and organizations that provide inspiring examples of community service, making it one of the most prominent national awards in this field.
The importance of the award and its impact within the framework of Vision 2030
The award holds strategic importance as it directly aligns with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which prioritizes the development of the non-profit sector and increasing its contribution to the GDP, in addition to promoting active citizenship and encouraging volunteerism. By highlighting successful projects, the award contributes to building a comprehensive and sustainable social system and stimulates innovative solutions to social challenges, both locally and nationally. Furthermore, it reinforces the Kingdom's position as a leading model in humanitarian and development work at the regional and international levels.
Details of the awards ceremony
Upon his arrival at the venue, His Royal Highness the Prince of Riyadh was received by His Excellency the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Award, Engineer Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi, and members of the Board of Trustees. Following the Royal Anthem, the ceremony commenced with a recitation from the Holy Quran. Engineer Al-Rajhi then delivered a speech in which he expressed his gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for his generous patronage of the award, and his appreciation for the presence and honor bestowed upon the ceremony by His Royal Highness the Prince of Riyadh. Al-Rajhi emphasized that the award has become a leading national platform that celebrates achievements and inspires innovators in service to society, noting that it aligns with the nation's needs and supports the realization of its ambitious vision.
Continuous growth and tangible impact
For his part, the Secretary-General of the Award, Dr. Fahd bin Hamad Al-Maghlouth, explained that the award witnessed remarkable growth in its current cycle, themed “Social Intelligence in the Service of Humanity.” It received 754 submissions, of which 158 qualified for scientific evaluation, culminating in the selection of 10 winners after field visits and rigorous judging. He noted that the total number of winners since the award's inception has reached 143, whose programs and initiatives have benefited more than 6.7 million people across the Kingdom. The award's categories encompass vital areas such as national achievement, Islamic endowments, corporate social responsibility, and environmental sustainability, reflecting its comprehensive vision.
Announcing the next round and the winners
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Dr. Al-Maghlouth announced the launch of the fourteenth edition of the award, themed “Human Development and the Promotion of Social Cohesion and National Loyalty.” Following this, His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Bandar honored the winners in the various award categories. In the National Achievement category, the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (MODON) and the General Directorate of Education in the Qassim region shared the award. In the Islamic Endowment category, the Endowment for the Glorification of the Two Revelations and the Islamic University of Madinah shared the award. In the Social Work Programs category, the Neighborhood Centers Association in Makkah and the Hajj and Umrah Services Association in Al-Jawf were the winners. In the Social Work Pioneers category, Mr. Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Othaim was the winner, while Sahara International Petrochemical Company (SABIC) received the Social Responsibility Award, and the Hail Region Municipality and King Khalid University shared the Environmental Sustainability Award.
