The Islamic Development Bank and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center co-hosted a forum on charitable work during their annual meetings in Riyadh. Titled “Harnessing Charitable Work for Development: The Path of Less Distance,” the event brought together leaders from philanthropy and business sectors worldwide to explore the potential of philanthropic capital in accelerating development and humanitarian efforts.
Prominent international figures in charitable work and humanitarian aid participated in the forum, including Dr. Muhammad Al-Jasser, Dr. Abdullah Abdulaziz Al-Rabiah, Princess Nouf bint Muhammad bin Abdullah, Bill Gates, Badr Jaafar, Sulaiman Abdulaziz Al-Zaben, Stanlake Samkang, Dana Dajani, and Naila Farouki.
The discussion at the forum focused on topics such as the impact of philanthropy, developments in philanthropy in the Middle East and Africa, and future trends in the field. Bill Gates shared his journey with philanthropy, highlighting his commitment to global health and efforts to combat diseases like malaria and polio. Climate change was another significant topic of discussion, emphasizing the need for collaboration between sectors to address environmental challenges.
Participants also discussed the role of technology in philanthropy and development. Gates highlighted the potential of technologies like AI and blockchain in driving effective philanthropy and addressing societal issues. The forum served as a platform to enhance cooperation and innovation in development philanthropy, generating insights to achieve sustainable development goals.
In addition to the discussions at the forum, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced plans to increase charitable contributions and collaborate with partners to support innovative solutions for challenges like climate change. The foundation’s partnership with the UAE aims to help small farmers in Africa build resilience to climate change. The forum underscored
