UNHCR hosts Humanitarian Corporate Social Responsibility Forum in Kuwait
Under the patronage of Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs
KUWAIT: UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, held yesterday its first Humanitarian Corporate Social Responsibility Forum, under the patronage of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kuwait City. The forum, which is the first of its kind to be held in Kuwait initiated by UNHCR, highlighted the critical role of the private sector in supporting humanitarian response to displacement crises globally.
The forum was attended by Ambassador Nasser AlSabeeh, Assistant Foreign Minister for Development and International Cooperation Affairs, and leading personalities in the media, tech, telecommunications and retail sectors including Twitter, MBC, Al-Ghanim Industries, Zain telecommunication group and Al-Sayer Holdings. The forum highlighted the pioneering role of the Kuwaiti and regional private sector in humanitarian giving and addressed a range of topics including ways Islamic philanthropy and corporate zakat can help refugees and displaced people globally and how forming impactful partnerships can aid in the inclusion of refugees in development.
Unprecedented levels of forced displacement around the world, combined with protracted displacement situations require new and innovative ways to address the immediate and long terms needs of refugees and displaced people. Proactive private sector engagement is therefore critical in humanitarian response, particularly in protracted situations, where a whole community approach is needed for sustainable impact.
Commenting on the importance of engaging the private sector in humanitarian response, Samer Haddadin, UNHCR Head of Office in Kuwait, said “UNHCR is honored to be hosting this event in Kuwait, an international Humanitarian Center as recognized by the UN. The support and commitment of the Kuwaiti government and Kuwait private sector to humanitarian causes worldwide is truly admirable, and in the footsteps of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad AlJaber Al-Sabah and his exemplary leadership in this field.” Haddadin added, “the scale and increasingly protracted nature of global displacement requires more innovative and sustainable responses. The private sector with its strategic capabilities, assets and expertise is well positioned to enhance these efforts, and Kuwaiti entities have and can further play a leading role in this sphere.”
Meanwhile, Sabeeh said, “Kuwait has a long standing history of humanitarian giving. Under the leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Government of Kuwait and its people are committed to supporting humanitarian causes worldwide. The private sector in Kuwait mirrors the values of the government and have played a pioneering role in humanitarian giving.” The forum will be followed by a series of roundtables and skill sharing workshops on identifying the best pathways for engagement and fostering stronger ties with the private sector in Kuwait.