RIYADH: The Creative Women Forum, held in Riyadh on Monday, gathered female leaders from around the world to discuss entrepreneurship, sustainability, innovation, technology, wellness, art, and sports.
Baria Alamuddin, an award-winning journalist and broadcaster in the Middle East and UK, and the editor of the Media Services Syndicate, delivered a keynote speech, urging Saudi women to engage with the media to share their stories.
“Saudi Arabia is the heart of the Arab world in every sense of the word,” Alamuddin said.
She shared stories of meeting, working, and interacting with Saudi women, adding she had “never seen women love their country like the women in Saudi Arabia,” and that she had “met some of the strongest women” in the Kingdom.
In an interview with Arab News, Alamuddin expressed her passion for highlighting Saudi women, explaining that she had been frustrated by not knowing enough about them.
After visiting the Saudi Arabia and meeting women in leadership positions, she was amazed by their drive and dedication to the country's development.
“I knew these women were strong, passionate, and driven, with a genuine desire to impact the development of their country,” Alamuddin said.
“Every time I visit the Kingdom, I am amazed by the progress of Saudi women.”
Alamuddin is one of the many distinguished female leaders speaking at the forum.
The two-day event focuses on business, startups, investment, health, female leadership, sports, sustainability, technology, and other key areas. It includes workshops, panel discussions, and question-and-answer sessions with industry experts.
Other topics at the forum include cultural and social transformation, finance, equality in careers, and women’s health and well-being.
Speakers included Princess Reema bint Bandar, Saudi ambassador to the US; Princess Noura Al-Saud, patron of the Creative Women Forum; Dr. Selwa Al-Hazzaa, CEO and founder of the digital health company SDM; and Dr. Basma Al-Buhairan, managing director at C4IR.