London, United Kingdom, The inaugural Arab Women Week has successfully concluded in London, marking a landmark moment for the celebration and advancement of Arab women in business, innovation, and leadership on a global stage. Organised by the Arab Entrepreneurs Board in London, the week brought together over 700 distinguished delegates, including royals, ambassadors and senior diplomats from 12 embassies, members of the House of Lords and the UK parliament, policy makers, innovators, investors, entrepreneurs, and c-suit delegates from across the UK, MENA, Europe, Singapore, and the USA.
The week unfolded across three flagship events hosted at some of the United Kingdom’s most prestigious institutions, reflecting both the ambition and significance of this groundbreaking initiative.
The opening event, the Arab Women Business Forum, took place at Mansion House and was inaugurated by the Right Honourable the Lady Mayor of the City of London, Dame Susan Langley DBE . In a historic moment, Dame Langley, who serves as a UK ambassador for the financial and professional services industries and is the first woman to hold the title of ‘Lady Mayor’ in over 800 years, officially opened the forum, accompanied ceremonially by pikemen and musketeers. Her presence underscored the importance of women’s leadership and the deepening ties between the UK and the Arab world.
The overarching theme of the Business Forum cantered on strengthening collaboration between the MENA region and the United Kingdom, with a particular focus on empowering women investors, founders, and business leaders, while fostering open dialogue and maximizing cross-border deal-making opportunities.
In his opening remarks, founder Mr. Wael Alzein emphasized to UK stakeholders that the Middle East region remains the land of opportunity for business and investment. Co-founder and Women’s Champion Dr. Asma Ounnas reinforced this vision, highlighting that this year’s agenda also embraced the theme of resilience in light of recent global developments, celebrating the strength and perseverance of women. As she noted in her speech: “Arab Women are resourceful in times of disruption, they re-build in the midst of destruction, and their resilience will go down in history as one of human triumph”.
The forum featured an exceptional lineup of speakers and attendees, including H.E Sheikha Al Anoud Al-Thani, Sheikha Awatif AlSabah, and virtual participants H.H. Sheikha Dr Alia AlQassimi and H.H. Sayyida Basma AlSaid.
The panels brought together leading businesswomen from MENA and the UK to foster collaboration between female investors and entrepreneurs, featuring A-list experts such as Noor Sweid, Dr. Carole Nakhle, and Taiba AlHumaidhi.
A standout moment from the forum was the strong Saudi presence, highlighted by Dr. Hannah Al-Moaibid, who delivered key insights during the “Future of Entrepreneurship” panel, focusing on the evolving landscape in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its growing ties with the UK. Sponsored by Eamar Development UK, the forum also hosted a dedicated panel featuring Saudi female students studying in the UK, where ten students were recognized for their contributions. Two of the students Joud Alharbi and Lama Alhamazani shared powerful reflections on education, cross-cultural learning, and the future of knowledge exchange between Saudi Arabia and the UK, widely regarded as one of the most inspiring sessions of the day.
The second flagship event, the Arab Women Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner, was held at the House of Lords as a prestigious black-tie evening celebrating excellence and achievement. Hosted by the Right Honourable Lord Brady (Sir Graham Brady), the ceremony honoured outstanding Arab women across various sectors, reinforcing the week’s mission to elevate and recognize female leadership.
During the week, a significant milestone was achieved with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Arab Entrepreneurs Board and the Saudi-British Joint Business Council at the House of Lords, strengthening bilateral cooperation and opening new avenues for collaboration.
The third and final flagship event on Entrepreneurship & Innovation took place at the historic Royal Society, the United Kingdom’s renowned hub of scientific excellence, established in 1660 and associated with pioneering figures such as Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein. This marked the first Arab-focused event ever held at the institution. The session was opened by Royal Society Fellow Dame Wendy Hall and featured a distinguished panel of visionary Arab inventors and pioneers in innovation, highlighting the region’s growing impact on science and technology.
Arab Women Week received extensive international media coverage and was proudly supported by leading global brands, including Aston Martin, Fortnum & Mason, The Berkeley Group, Bicester Village, Tasaki, AltLabs, Hill House Interiors, and media partners City AM, and The Business Year.
Reflecting on the success of the week, organisers emphasised its role as a powerful platform for dialogue, collaboration, and recognition, bridging cultures and fostering new partnerships while celebrating the achievements and potential of Arab women worldwide.
Looking ahead, the Arab Entrepreneurs Board will continue to expand its global platform with upcoming flagship events, including a prestigious Summer Polo reception on 27 June at Ham Polo Club in Richmond, London, marking the club’s centenary and bringing together Saudi players alongside distinguished VIPs from across the GCC and the UK.
Link for the Arab Women Week and the full gallery.
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