Gulf praise for 'Zain Kuwait' transforming community partnerships... into sustainable impact

“Marine Environment Protection” Between Zain Kuwait and the Diving Team: A Pioneering Community Project

The award extends Zain’s track record of receiving recognition across the GCC for its initiatives.

Zain Kuwait has solidified its position as a leading model in sustainability and corporate social responsibility at the regional level, 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 during a ceremony honoring pioneering projects and figures in civil service, labor, and social affairs in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, hosted in the Bahraini capital, Manama.

The 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 Ahmed 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 Jasem Al-Najim, Zain Kuwait’s CEO of Relations and Corporate Affairs Walid Al-Khust, and President of the Kuwait Diving Team Walid Al-Fadhel, alongside ministers of civil service, labor, social affairs, and development from GCC countries, as well as various leaders and officials.

Zain received the 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 pioneering projects in the field of social work within the private sector across the Gulf. This selection reflects regional recognition of the success of one of the longest-standing community and environmental partnerships in Kuwait and the region.

This choice highlights the value of a partnership model that has united, over decades, the capabilities of the private sector with specialized environmental volunteer expertise, contributing to the protection of the marine environment and the preservation of its natural resources. It offers a practical example of how institutional collaboration can achieve sustainable results that go beyond the immediate impact of traditional initiatives.

The award represents the culmination of a cooperation journey spanning more than 28 years between Zain and the Diving Team. During this period, efforts to protect the marine environment 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 paths. This is achieved by leveraging its expertise, institutional capabilities, and media and awareness platforms to enhance the growth of specialized initiatives and expand their community and environmental impact.

This achievement embodies Zain’s vision of building long-term strategic partnerships based on sustainability and impact measurement. It is founded on 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.

The award extends Zain’s track record of receiving recognition across the GCC for its community initiatives. Previously, the company was honored in Doha in 2024 for its annual Ramadan campaign “Zain Al-Shuhour” (Zain of the Months), which was selected among pioneering projects in the field of social work within the Kuwaiti private sector. This recognition was presented during the 13th ceremony honoring pioneering 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.

These efforts are an extension of Zain’s vision, which links institutional growth to long-term positive impact on society and the environment, placing environmental protection, youth empowerment, support for local partnerships, and carbon footprint reduction among its priorities, in line with the company’s ambition to achieve net zero by 2050 and its corporate mission: “Continuous connectivity. A better life.”

The strategic partnership between Zain and the Diving Team spans more than 28 years, during which the company supported the team’s operations by providing four fully equipped boats, the latest of which was delivered in 2023. The 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 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, removing fishing nets, waste, and debris, protecting seabeds and navigation channels from pollution, as well as documenting Kuwait’s marine environment for scientific and awareness purposes.

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

In a blend of volunteerism and innovation, Zain has deployed 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.