Kuwait is set to host the second conference on innovation strategies in Islamic endowment and sustainable development on September 28, 2026. The event will take place at the Kuwait National Library under the patronage of Dr. Amthal Al-Huwailah, Minister of Social, Family and Childhood Affairs.
The conference, titled “From Traditional Endowment to Sustainable Investment Endowment,” aims to address the evolving role of Islamic endowments, known as waqf, in responding to the changing needs of society. Hamad Zaid Saud Al-Bseis, United Nations Ambassador for Community Partnership and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al-Awazem Charitable Foundation, emphasized that the endowment system has shifted from merely preserving assets to actively investing and developing them in sustainable ways. This transformation seeks to ensure continuous contributions and maximize the social and developmental impact of endowments.
Organized by the Al-Awazem Charitable Foundation in collaboration with the Regional Network for Social Responsibility, the Global Center for Sustainable Development, and the Superior Achievement Institute for Private Training and Administrative, Economic and Financial Consultations, the conference will bring together experts and stakeholders involved in endowment management and sustainable development.
Key topics to be discussed include the jurisprudence and conceptual framework for investing endowment funds, sustainable investment models, governance and risk management, financial sustainability, portfolio diversification, as well as technological advances such as artificial intelligence and digital transformation. The conference will also explore legislation and oversight, leading practices from Arab and international contexts, and the use of financial technologies to enhance endowment management and resource development.
Al-Bseis highlighted the importance of improving governance, transparency, efficiency, and innovation in managing endowment assets to better align investments with societal needs and broader sustainable development goals. The ultimate objective is to redefine Islamic endowments as resilient financing sources that support initiatives and projects with a lasting positive impact on individuals, communities, and future generations.
By focusing on advancing endowment strategies beyond traditional philanthropy, the conference aims to establish a sustainable model that expands the role of waqf in fostering long-term development and social progress.