The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development in Saudi Arabia was awarded the 2026 World PMO of the Year Award by the Project Management Institute (PMI) during a ceremony held at the PMI Global Summit 2026 in Detroit, United States. This marks the first time a Saudi ministry has received this prestigious recognition.
The ministry secured the top global position after competing with 53 project management offices (PMOs) from 28 countries. The selection process involved 960 judges from 114 countries, highlighting the award's extensive international scope. Earlier in the competition, the ministry won the 2026 Middle East PMO of the Year Award, which advanced it to the final stage alongside four other PMOs representing different global regions before ultimately achieving the world title.
The award acknowledges the ministry’s efforts in developing a robust institutional framework for managing portfolios, programs, and projects. Key factors in this achievement included strengthening governance structures, enhancing implementation efficiency, aligning projects with strategic priorities, and effectively measuring project benefits and organizational impact.
The World PMO of the Year Award is awarded based on several criteria, including the maturity of project management offices, the quality of their performance, the application of professional project management practices, innovation, and the overall value delivered to organizations and stakeholders. The recognition underscores the ministry’s commitment to advancing project management standards and delivering strategic value within the public sector.