Manama: Chairman of the Kuwait-based International Islamic Charitable Organization, Abdullah Al-Maatouq, along with Kuwait's Zakat House, have been recognized as winners of the GCC Award for Humanitarian Action for the year 2025. The announcement was made during a ceremony held in Manama, where Al-Maatouq, who also serves as a Special Advisor to the UN Secretary General, highlighted the award's significance in enhancing the GCC's role in global humanitarian efforts.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the seventh edition of the GCC Award for Humanitarian Action was organized by the Manama-based Regional Network for Corporate Social Responsibility. This event was held in collaboration with the Executive Office of the Council of Ministers of Labor and Social Affairs of the GCC member states and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The award ceremony aims to promote strategic partnerships among GCC humanitarian organizations to tackle global challenges effectively.
Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Humanitarian Foundation and Chairman of the GCC Humanitarian Award for 2025, Adnan Al-Qattan, expressed his pride in launching the seventh edition of the award. He emphasized the award's role as a platform for recognizing exceptional initiatives and fostering the exchange of humanitarian experiences. Al-Qattan highlighted that humanitarian work in the GCC is deeply rooted in Islamic and Arab values, making it a cultural and moral obligation.
Mohammed Al-Obaidly, Director General of the Executive Office of the Council of Ministers of Labor and Social Affairs of the GCC member states, noted that the award symbolizes the GCC countries' commitment to solidarity and mutual support. He praised Bahrain and its partners for their efforts in organizing the event, which recognized numerous Gulf personalities and institutions across various categories, including individuals, government agencies, and the private and non-profit sectors.
Among the honorees, Dr. Al-Maatouq received the Award of Excellence for his contributions to Gulf international humanitarian work, while Al-Obaidly was named "International Ambassador for Social Responsibility" for his efforts in promoting Gulf humanitarian initiatives. Other recipients included Kuwait's Zakat House, the Ministry of Social Development in Bahrain, and several charitable organizations across the GCC, all recognized for their contributions to public and private sector humanitarian actions.
Additionally, Al-Roya Press and Publishing Foundation in Oman, along with the Executive Office of the Council of Ministers of Labor and UNIDO, were honored for their partnership in organizing this significant Gulf humanitarian event.