Riyadh: The Board of Directors of the Arab Gulf Programme for Development (AGFUND), chaired by Chairman of AGFUND's Board of Directors Prince Abdulaziz bin Talal bin Abdulaziz, approved AGFUND's Strategy until 2030, marking a new phase in its development journey. The board also approved funding for 15 development projects in areas related to sustainable development, during its meeting held today at AGFUND headquarters in Riyadh.
According to Saudi Press Agency, Prince Abdulaziz expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries for their generous and continued support to AGFUND. He emphasized that this support has been instrumental in AGFUND's development journey, strengthening its position as a leading Gulf platform dedicated to serving people and advancing development. The newly approved strategy until 2030 continues the legacy of the late Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz and aligns with the development visions and aspirations of the Gulf countries.
Prince Abdulaziz highlighted that the strategy is grounded in the belief that human development is central to progress, and that sustainability, partnerships, innovation, and maximizing impact are key pillars for the future. AGFUND aims to expand strategic partnerships, enhance development investment efficiency, and measure the impact of initiatives, reinforcing its position as a leading Gulf development platform contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals and adapting to global development transformations.
During the meeting, the board reviewed key agenda items, including AGFUND's activities and achievements in the first half of 2026, as well as proposed development projects for the current cycle. The board was also briefed on the winning projects of the 2025 Prince Talal International Prize for Human Development, themed 'Affordable and Clean Energy,' in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 7.
The board praised AGFUND's ongoing efforts to enhance institutional efficiency, notably through the launch of the Project Funding Portal. This portal is a significant step toward expanding financing opportunities and directing resources toward development priorities and high-impact initiatives.
Fifteen development projects received approval for funding, aligning with AGFUND's criteria and goals, focusing on early childhood development, women's empowerment, civil society development, open education, and financial inclusion. These projects address current development challenges through capacity building, innovative solutions, support for smallholder farmers, and a focus on vulnerable groups, contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals.
The meeting concluded with a review of the new strategy's implementation plan, emphasizing AGFUND's alignment with accelerating development transformations, strengthening partnerships, investing in people, promoting innovation and sustainability, and maximizing development impact. This approach aims to further reinforce AGFUND's status as a leading Gulf development platform serving people and fulfilling the aspirations of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries while advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.
Since its establishment, AGFUND has supported 1,798 development projects across 171 countries, in collaboration with over 500 development partners, including UN, international and regional organizations, government entities, and civil society institutions. This has solidified its reputation as a leading institution supporting human development globally.