IWFM withdraws from Saudi Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) following EDI concerns

The IWFM has announced it is withdrawing from a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Saudis following a series concerns raised within the FM sector, particularly the LGBTQ+ community as to how this could fit with the Institute’s avowed equity, diversity and inclusion credentials.

In it’s statement, the IWFM said it has been delivering professional development to individuals and businesses across the world which for several years included Saudi Arabia. In line with its international strategy a decision was made to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Saudi Facilities Management Association (SFMA), a professional body and FMTech, a company owned by the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund.

While the IWFM argues this “was developed to explore the potential for cooperation in opportunities of mutual interest to advance WFM ‘a young and rapidly growing market”, the intolerance to the LGBTQ+ community entire LGBTQ+ community in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is illegal and punishable by death penalty appears to have been overlooked.

Following the wave of complaints, spearheaded by i-FM publisher  David Emanuel who queried the situation in an email to IWFM CEO Linda Hausmanis, the IWFM said:

“After a period of careful consideration IWFM has decided that the interests of the Institute and its members are best served by withdrawing from the MoU.

IWFM is a diverse, inclusive and progressive community. We acknowledge that we did not get the engagement and presentation right on this occasion and we regret the dismay this has caused within our community.”