Forbes Middle East Hosts Its 3rd Annual Women’s Summit In Riyadh,

The third edition of the Forbes Middle East Women’s Summit kicked off today in Riyadh, chaired by H.H. Princess Noura Bint Mohammed Al Saud, Chairperson of the Women’s Committee for Community Development.

Under the theme “Limitless Inspiration”, the two-day summit held November 2–3 at the Fairmont Riyadh Hotel, aims to spotlight inspiring female role models who are shaping a more inclusive and empowering future, while reinforcing the values of leadership and influence across diverse sectors.

The summit commenced with an exclusive VIP Reception with H.H. Princess Noura bint Mohammed Al Saud and H.H Sheikha Dr. Shamma bint Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan;  H.H. Princess Prof. Mashael Bint Mohammed Al Saud; H.H. Princess Reem bint Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud; H.H. Princess Luluah bint Nawaf bin Mohammed Al Saud; H.H. Princess Al Hanouf Bint Mamdouh bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud; H.H. Princess Jwaher Al Saud;  H.H. Princess Dr. Doaa Bint Mohammed; bringing together leading businesswomen, diplomats, and pioneers, from across the Kingdom and abroad.

This year’s event will welcome a distinguished lineup of female leaders from both the public and private sectors, including H.E. Raja Al Mazrouei, Chief Executive Officer at Etihad Credit Insurance; Saeeda Jaffar, SVP, Group Country Manager – GCC at Visa, CEME; H.E. Dalia Khorshid, Group CEO & Managing Director of Beltone Holding; Randa Bessiso, Founding Director – Middle East, of The University of Manchester Dubai; Alison Rehill-Erguven, CEO of Cenomi Centers and Dr. Malathi Arshanapalai, Group Chief Medical & Quality Officer at Aster DM Healthcare.

Additionally, the summit will also host several esteemed diplomats, including H.E. Petra Menander, Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Republic of Yemen, and the Sultanate of Oman, Embassy of Sweden in Riyadh, and H.E. Anu-Eerika Viljanen, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Embassy of Finland Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

“I chose to speak today about the role of women in the creative sectors, starting from the premise that education and culture are essential spaces for empowerment and for supporting women’s active presence in society.” said H.H Sheikha Dr. Shamma bint Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan, Chairperson of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan Cultural and Educational institutions.“Creative industries are not born in laboratories or business incubators—they are born in the human mind, nurtured from childhood through reading, which instills the values of imagination, critical thinking, and curiosity. Reading, therefore, becomes the cornerstone for building the minds that will shape the future of humanity.”

“Reading is the first production line of the knowledge economy, and women are the managers of this invisible factory. When a mother reads to her child, she is not merely filling time; she is planting the seeds of creativity and innovation in the mind of a future leader, thinker, or artist. From this perspective, women who cultivate a love of knowledge in the next generation remain the foremost pioneers of the creative economy, architects of the minds that will drive the industries of tomorrow,” she added.

“We gather today in Riyadh to affirm that women are no longer waiting for their place, they are creating it, leading it, and reshaping it with confidence, awareness, and a heritage rooted in authenticity,” Khuloud Al Omian, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Middle East, welcomed guests. “This summit is more than a celebration of achievements; it is a declaration of a fundamental truth: women’s empowerment is not a temporary initiative, but a cornerstone of the region’s future. At Forbes Middle East, we see women as a renewable energy, a quiet yet powerful force for change, whose voice and courage help us build a more inclusive, just, and inspiring world.”

A dynamic lineup of female artists and influencers brought a creative flair to the opening day of the summit, including Hind Khalifat, expressional artist and General Manager of Deraya Speakers; Lubna Abdulaziz, Saudi Presenter, Actress, and Social Media Influencer; Radwa Al Sherbeni, Egyptian TV Presenter; and Yumna Khoury, Youmna Khoury, Founder & CEO, Youmi Beauty; and Tamtam, Saudi Singer-Songwriter. Through their inspiring performances and discussions, they showcased the power of creativity as a catalyst for empowerment, reflecting the expanding role of women in shaping the region’s cultural and media landscape.

The first day’s sessions centered on empowering women through education, culture, the creative economy, and technology, recognized as essential pillars for building a more inclusive and sustainable future. The agenda featured dynamic discussions spotlighting women’s leadership and growing influence across diverse sectors: from conscious leadership and cultural transformation, to shaping educational and cultural policy, advancing diplomacy through international dialogue and cross-border partnerships, and championing digital transformation and financial inclusion. The day concluded with a focus on women in sports, underscoring how athletics have become a powerful platform for social and economic empowerment.

The summit also hosted a series of interactive workshops at the She Leads Studio, offering participants immersive experiences designed to foster self-awareness, leadership, and personal growth. Highlights included redefining beauty, exploring how beauty and well-being can serve as tools for self-expression and empowerment; financial empowerment and building confidence, focused on strengthening financial literacy, wealth management, and independence; preventive care and holistic wellness, emphasizing the importance of early detection and balanced living; and sustainability and cultural Identity in the world of luxury brands, examining how merging local heritage with innovation can inspire creativity and drive economic empowerment.

The second day will bring together a diverse lineup of female leaders committed to advancing women’s roles in community development. It will conclude with an awards ceremony honoring outstanding women across sectors for their leadership and impact, held in the presence of H.H. Princess Dr. Doaa Bint Mohammed, CEO of Al Mohra Education Company and former Supreme President of the Arab Women’s Authority.

Forbes Middle East is collaborating with a wide network of partners, including associate partners Aster DM Healthcare, AJEX, event partners Porsche Saudi Arabia, EFG Holding, Cenomi Centers, The University of Manchester – Dubai, Tawuniya, Keto Kartel, EFSIM Facilities Management Company, Viatris, DAZE Furniture, Youmi Beauty, Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD), and The DermaKlinic; technology partner Lazulite; and gift partners Moonglaze, Treat, Matcha Union, Biolite Clinic, Humanity Code, Aliona Cosmetics, Kayali, Valrhona, , Eucerin, and Tru & Beyond.

For more details and information about the summit, click here.