Zain Receives Regional Recognition at GCC Secretariat General Ceremony

Zain Kuwait has solidified its position as a regional pioneer in sustainability and corporate social responsibility, after receiving a new Gulf award in recognition of its role in transforming long-term community partnerships into sustainable developmental impact. The award was presented at the ceremony honoring leading projects and figures in civil service, labor, and social affairs in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, hosted in the Bahraini capital, Manama.

This high-level regional recognition came on the sidelines of the 12th meeting of the GCC Ministers of Social Affairs and Development, attended by Bahrain’s Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, GCC Secretary-General Jassem Al-Budaiwi, Kuwait’s Minister of Social Affairs, Family, and Childhood Dr. Amthal Al-Huwaili, Kuwait’s Ambassador to Bahrain Jassem Al-Najim, Zain Kuwait’s CEO of Corporate Relations and Institutional Affairs Walid Al-Khesheti, Kuwait Diving Team leader Walid Al-Fadhel, alongside ministers of civil service, labor, social affairs, and development from GCC member states, as well as various leaders and officials.

Zain received this award for its “Strategic Partnership for the Protection and Rehabilitation of the Marine Environment between Zain Kuwait and the Kuwait Diving Team,” which was selected among leading projects in the field of social work within the GCC private sector. This regional acknowledgment recognizes the success of one of the longest-standing community and environmental partnerships in Kuwait and the region.

This selection reflects the value of a partnership model that has, over decades, combined private sector capabilities with specialized environmental volunteer expertise to protect Kuwait’s marine environment and conserve its natural resources. It serves as a practical example of how institutional collaboration can achieve sustainable results that go beyond the immediate impact of traditional initiatives.

This award crowns a cooperation journey spanning more than 28 years between Zain and the Kuwait Diving Team. During this period, marine environmental protection efforts have evolved from scattered field initiatives into an integrated institutional framework that combines specialized volunteer work, community awareness, youth empowerment, and continuous operational and field support.

The Gulf recognition underscores that the role of the private sector is no longer limited to providing support and sponsorship, but has become a key partner in leading sustainable development pathways. This is achieved by leveraging its expertise, institutional capacities, and media and awareness platforms to enhance the growth and expand the social and environmental impact of specialized initiatives.

This achievement embodies Zain’s vision of building long-term strategic partnerships based on sustainability and impact measurement. It reflects the belief that true investment in society is realized through initiatives capable of driving continuous and sustainable change that positively impacts people, the environment, and future generations.

This recognition follows Zain’s track record of receiving awards at the GCC level for its community initiatives. Previously, the company was honored in Doha in 2024 for its annual Ramadan campaign “Zain Al-Shuhur,” which was selected among leading projects in the field of social work within the Kuwaiti private sector. This took place during the 13th ceremony honoring leading projects in social work, held on the sidelines of the 10th meeting of the GCC Ministers of Social Affairs and Development.

Zain treats corporate social responsibility as an integral part of its institutional approach, through sustainable partnerships and initiatives that go beyond immediate impact to create long-term value for society and the environment, while supporting national priorities in sustainability, natural resource protection, and empowering future generations.

The strategic partnership between Zain and the Kuwait Diving Team has spanned more than 28 years. During this period, the company supported the team’s operations by providing four fully equipped boats, the latest of which was delivered in 2023. This partnership has contributed to executing hundreds of environmental missions, removing thousands of tons of harmful waste, and protecting tens of thousands of marine creatures.

The team’s year-round operations include installing and maintaining eco-friendly marine moorings around coral reef areas, monitoring reef health and reporting to relevant authorities, cleaning islands and beaches, retrieving fishing nets, debris, and wreckage, protecting seabeds and navigation channels from pollution, and documenting Kuwait’s marine environment for scientific and educational purposes.

The impact of the partnership extends beyond marine operations. Zain leverages its media and digital channels, along with its partner network, to disseminate environmental awareness messages, highlight volunteer efforts, and encourage youth participation. It also involves students, young people, and volunteers in field initiatives, thereby instilling values of environmental responsibility, teamwork, and sustainability from an early age.

The project also reflects the integration of volunteerism with innovation. Zain has employed technological solutions in its environmental efforts, including the BeBot beach cleaning robot. This robot sweeps sand, collects buried waste, gathers seaweed, and levels beach areas. It operates on electricity generated through solar panels, enhancing cleaning efficiency and reducing environmental impact.

These efforts align with Zain’s vision, which links corporate growth to long-term positive impact on society and the environment. Protecting the environment, empowering youth, supporting local partnerships, and reducing the carbon footprint are among its key priorities, consistent with the company’s ambition to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 and its corporate mission: “Continuous connectivity... a better life.”