RIYADH: Women leaders from the Gulf and Europe gathered in Riyadh on Tuesday for the launch of the Women Impact Leaders EU-GCC platform, a new initiative aimed at strengthening cross-regional cooperation and developing joint initiatives across key sectors.
The Federation of Saudi Chambers of Commerce hosted the launch with support from the EU Delegation to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The platform provides a permanent forum for dialogue and collaboration among women leaders from GCC and EU member states to strengthen cooperation and build strategic partnerships.
Its work is centered on five pillars: Social impact and sustainable development; economic leadership and investment; health, well-being and sport; innovation, education and the digital future; and culture, heritage and the creative industries. Governance, policymaking and empowering future generations are cross-cutting priorities across all areas of the platform’s work.
Edvardas Aleksandras, political officer at the EU Delegation, delivered the opening address on behalf of EU Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman Christophe Farnaud.
Khalid Al-Othman, chairman of the National Committee for Sustainability and Green Economy at the Federation of Saudi Chambers of Commerce, said that Saudi Arabia was undergoing a significant transformation under Vision 2030, which had empowered women to play a greater role in the Kingdom’s economic, social and environmental development.
He said that the vision had strengthened women’s leadership and participation across sectors, including business, entrepreneurship, innovation, finance, science and sustainability.
Al-Othman also emphasized the importance of expanding EU-GCC cooperation, saying that the challenges and opportunities in sustainability, innovation, investment and entrepreneurship required international partnerships built on trust and the exchange of expertise to create lasting economic and social value for both sides.
Iwona Safi, co-founder of Women Impact Leaders EU-GCC and leader of the European side, said that the Riyadh launch marks a step toward strengthening ties, fostering mutual understanding, and advancing sustainable cooperation between the EU and the GCC.
She said that the platform would enable women leaders from both sides to work as equal partners in shaping a shared agenda and turning dialogue into tangible outcomes that benefit their societies.
Abeer Al-Hashimi, co-founder of Women Impact Leaders EU-GCC representing the GCC, said that the Riyadh launch marked the start of the platform’s 2026 founding program. The program will continue in the Asir region from July 29 to Aug. 1, culminating in the preparation of the Asir Impact Report ahead of its presentation at the Warsaw Summit in September.
She added that the platform was part of a series of joint initiatives, workshops and events planned across the GCC and Europe in 2026 and 2027.
The Women Impact Leaders EU-GCC platform is a permanent forum for dialogue and collaboration that brings together women leaders from both regions.
It was established through a partnership between Vibrant Work in Saudi Arabia and Sustainable Global Impact in Poland to strengthen cooperation, develop joint initiatives and promote sustainable impact at regional and global levels.
