Beyond[Profit], hosted by the National Center for Non-Profit Sector, December 3-5 in Riyadh./PHOTO; Courtesy
More than 2,000 leaders, policymakers, experts, and stakeholders from around the world gathered in Riyadh on December 3, 2025, for the International Non-Profit Sector Forum.
Hosted by Saudi Arabia’s National Center for the Non-Profit Sector (NCNP), the event featured 100 speakers from 20 countries and focused on the role of transparency, technology, and global standards in strengthening trust in philanthropy.
Running through December 5, the forum opened with discussions on how digital transformation is reshaping the non-profit sector.
With a diverse array of stakeholders, the convening underscored how technology, standardization, and international cooperation can strengthen the effectiveness and credibility of non-profit organizations worldwide.
Ziyad Alsaigh, Executive Vice President at Takamol Holding, highlighted the opportunities digital tools create for organizations of all sizes.
He explained that integrated systems can enhance accuracy and make it easier for entities to showcase their work.
“Digital transformation represents a major opportunity for the non-profit sector to improve integration between organizations and enhance the accuracy of data,” Alsaigh said.
He added that transparency goes beyond merely following rules, noting, “Trust is not built by simply complying with standards, but by going beyond them and demonstrating real impact through clear, traceable, and verifiable data.”
Alsaigh stressed that for smaller organizations, accessible digital systems can level the playing field, allowing them to reach broader audiences and attract partnerships previously out of reach.
At the same time, larger institutions benefit from standardization that improves credibility and comparability across the sector.
Throughout the forum, participants emphasized that transparency offers strategic benefits beyond compliance.
Clear reporting and verifiable data enable organizations to demonstrate tangible impact, build credibility, and foster cross-border partnerships.
Robust digital systems and shared accounting frameworks also provide a reliable foundation to counter misinformation and enhance trust among donors, beneficiaries, and the public.
Although hosted in Saudi Arabia, the forum’s discussions were framed as globally relevant, highlighting lessons that apply across continents.
Dr. Burkhard Wilke, Executive and Scientific Director of the German Central Institute for Social Issues, underscored the urgency of reliable frameworks amid the proliferation of misinformation online.
He described transparency as a tool that reveals its true value in moments of scrutiny, explaining, “Organizations must be prepared in advance with clear standards and robust measurement processes.”
Wilke highlighted that his institute develops standards through collaboration with non-profit bodies, academics, and government institutions, ensuring frameworks are meaningful rather than merely procedural.
The practical advantages of transparency for public engagement were highlighted by David Holdsworth, CEO of the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
He noted that centralized, accessible data allows the public to verify organizations easily.
“Transparency is a free shop window for smaller organizations to strengthen their visibility and credibility with the public,” Holdsworth said.
He also stressed that international collaboration on disclosure requirements and accounting standards is crucial to ensuring that organizations demonstrate accountability consistently across borders.
“We consult closely with the sector before introducing any new requirements and work with counterparts in countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United States to strengthen global standards,” he added.
As the event concluded, attendees left with a shared recognition that transparency, when combined with digital innovation and international collaboration, is not merely a regulatory requirement but a critical enabler for global philanthropic impact.
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