UNDP and KSA General Authority for Awqaf Delegates Spotlight the Role of Awqaf in Health and Climate at the OECD netFWD Annual Meeting

March 30, 2026

The annual meeting of the OECD Network of Foundations Working for Development (netFWD) was held on 25–26 March 2026 at the OECD Headquarters in Paris under the theme “Data and Evidence‑based Philanthropy for a post‑FfD4 Development Reality.” The meeting also marked the launch of the third edition of the Private Philanthropy for Development report, which highlighted the anticipated decline in Official Development Assistance (ODA) by 9–17% in 2026 and underscored the growing need for philanthropy to play a more strategic role in complementing development finance alongside governments, development finance institutions, and multilateral development banks.

The meeting’s agenda featured the presentation of new global philanthropic data, discussions on philanthropy’s role in blended finance and multisectoral solutions, strengthening collaboration with development finance actors, and exploring innovative funding strategies in education, health, climate, and gender equality. Participants also emphasized expanding the scope of philanthropy to include community giving and improving data collection practices amid declining ODA levels.

A prominent parallel session on health and climate brought together global experts to discuss “how philanthropy can partner with other actors to advance multisectoral solutions aligned with national priorities.” The session featured a delegation from the the General Authority for Awqaf (GAA), Saudi Arabia including Dr. Bandar Alamer, Mr. Tufeeq Alghamdi, and Mr. Sultan Alhowymel, alongside Dr. Muniruddeen Lallmahamood from UNDP’s Istanbul International Center for Private Sector in Development (ICPSD). The delegation highlighted the innovative role of Awqaf in financing and supporting health and climate initiatives in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030 and the conditions set by endowers.

The participation highlighted the contribution of Awqaf as a sustainable mechanism for financing health and climate‑resilience solutions. Notably, 16% of the SAR 1.1 billion Waqf cash investment funds in Saudi Arabia has been allocated to the health sector, leveraging Islamic finance principles and social impact investing to empower underserved communities and bridge gaps in healthcare access and climate adaptation.

Participants reaffirmed the growing need for complementary sources of development finance and stronger collaboration across actors in light of declining ODA, noting that Awqaf investments in health infrastructure and climate projects serve as catalysts for holistic, cross‑sector impact.

UNDP reiterated its commitment to providing technical assistance, capacity building, and partnerships that strengthen Awqaf‑driven initiatives. The Riyadah Centre -Knowledge & Research arm of GAA- led by Dr. Alamer emphasized its role in advancing data systems, transparency, and specialized research, and in deploying the Waqf Excellence Index -co developed in partnership with the UNDP- as a tool to enhance institutional decision‑making and empower Awqaf efforts in alignment with national priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals.