RIYADH: Women’s leadership and achievements were the focus of a dynamic summit in Riyadh, where a series of panel discussions and workshops highlighted empowerment, career success, and navigating the changing business landscape.

The Forbes Middle East Women’s Summit, a two-day event held at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center, concluded on Dec. 19, celebrating the significant contributions of women across the region.

The summit featured two primary stages: the Empowerment Arena and the She Leads Hub. Discussions at the Empowerment Arena explored vital topics, including advancing healthcare as part of Vision 2030, promoting women’s leadership, and redefining entrepreneurship.

At the She Leads Hub, panels delved into strategies for professional success, enhancing well-being and sustainability, and empowering women in leadership positions.

Notable attendees included Princess Doaa bint Mohammed, CEO of Al Mohra Education Co. and former supreme president of the Arab Women’s Authority, and Princess Lamia bint Majed Saud Al-Saud, secretary-general and board member of Alwaleed Philanthropies.

Mishaal Ashemimry, the first female aerospace engineer in the Gulf Cooperation Council and founder of MISHAAL Aerospace, delivered an inspiring open mic session titled “The Hard Decisions You Have to Make to Pursue Your Passion.” She urged attendees to take bold steps in their careers, despite the obstacles they may face.

Speaking to Arab News, Ashemimry shared that her passion for space began during a family trip to the desert of Unaizah, a governorate in Al-Qassim.

“I looked up to the sky. I was called upon by the stars because I was very curious about them. I couldn’t get enough answers about the stars, so I decided, well, I gotta go to space to understand this stuff, and the only way to go to space is to make a rocket,” she said.

Ashemimry, who overcame numerous challenges from people who doubted and underestimated her, emphasized that resilience, determination, and perseverance are essential for success in business.

“You will fail and you will stumble. You will face people who will be against you. You need to believe in yourself and be determined enough to achieve what you want,” she added.

American-Jordanian abstract artist Aida Murad, one of the summit’s featured artists, presented a colorful collection of paintings. In an interview with Arab News, Murad shared her experiences as both an artist and entrepreneur in Saudi Arabia.

“I feel very empowered here. It’s a high-value-based culture, so when your values align, things become much easier. People and companies are also highly accessible here — more so than in other countries where I’ve done business. I think it’s because there’s a genuine eagerness to invite value-aligned individuals to Saudi Arabia,” she said.

Murad also highlighted the importance of adaptability and building connections as key strategies for business expansion.

She added: “Create a target list. It sounds simple, but it’s often the most basic things that people overlook. Take the time to read your audience. There are moments when they’re overwhelmed and others when they’re more available — timing is everything.”

Furthermore, she underscored the significance of understanding Saudi Arabia’s unique business culture. “There are countless events here for networking — attend them. It’s straightforward, but here, business isn’t conducted over emails as much as it is in person or through WhatsApp. Understanding how people communicate and conduct business here is crucial to building meaningful connections.”

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is emerging as a global leader in addressing labor market challenges, skill development, and workforce requalification, according to a report from the Global Labor Market Conference.

The inaugural report, issued by the conference hosted by the Kingdom’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, emphasized the government’s initiatives to bridge the gap between academic qualifications and market demands. 

These efforts include enhancing education and training programs and preparing young job seekers for the rapidly evolving global labor landscape. 

The findings align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals, which aim to reduce unemployment from 11.6 percent in 2017 to 7 percent by the end of the decade. The strategy focuses on developing national talent, requalifying the workforce, and driving economic diversification to solidify the Kingdom’s global competitiveness. 

“Saudi Arabia has made significant strides in increasing access to education, improving quality, and promoting inclusive learning opportunities,” the report said. 

The report, based on input from 14,000 participants across 14 countries, highlighted growing global concerns about workforce readiness. Over half of respondents expressed fears that their current skills could become obsolete in the near future, underlining the urgent need for upskilling to meet the demands of a rapidly changing labor market. 

“Respondents, in fact, identified cognitive skills, management skills, as well as socio-emotional skills as the three most critical competencies to succeed in the current labor market.” the report stated. 

The study also highlighted increasing automation as a significant threat to employment across various sectors. It emphasized the growing importance of expertise in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics for success in technology-driven industries.

Although men continue to dominate STEM-related fields, the report highlighted progress in narrowing the gender gap in some countries. “For instance, India has a female graduation rate of 26 percent, followed by Saudi Arabia at 21 percent,” it said. 

The report added that these figures surpass those of European countries and the US, where rates range between 10 and 13 percent. “However, the percentage of STEM degrees obtained by women has stagnated, except in Saudi Arabia,” it stated.  

The second annual Global Labor Market Conference will take place in Riyadh from Jan. 29 to 30, 2025. The event is expected to host over 5,000 attendees, including labor ministers from 40 countries, executives, international experts, and public-sector leaders from more than 50 nations. 

Discussions will center on global labor market challenges and opportunities, further cementing Saudi Arabia’s leadership in workforce development.