#Saudi Arabia #Riyadh #Women Leaders #Fortune Women Summit

Fortune to Host the First International Summit for Women

In a significant move for global business and female leadership, Fortune has announced that the inaugural
Fortune Most Powerful Women International Summit will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on May 20-21, 2025. This summit marks a monumental occasion as it is the first time the event has been held in the region, focusing on empowering women leaders in a space where their potential is rapidly being recognized.

The Most Powerful Women initiative brings together influential women from various fields and industries, including government and business, creating an exclusive network that thrives on innovation and collaboration. The overarching theme of the summit, “A New Era for Business: Partnering for Global Prosperity,” aims to address how collaborations between public and private sectors can ignite economic growth and innovation.

Participants can expect engaging discussions on critical issues such as global leadership during crises, the handling of economic changes and their business impacts, large-scale implementations of emerging technologies, and the exploration of investment opportunities and developments in sectors like health, entertainment, and sports.

The choice of Riyadh as the host city is particularly noteworthy due to Saudi Arabia's ongoing commitment to women’s advancements within its Vision 2030 agenda. The nation has seen a remarkable increase in female workforce participation, rising to 36% - significantly higher than the 17% recorded in 2017. Moreover, Saudi women now own 45% of small and medium enterprises, playing a crucial role in the economic landscape.

Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning market represents tremendous opportunities for global leaders, enhancing networks and collaborative efforts. According to Anastasia Nyrkovskaya, CEO of Fortune, this summit symbolizes Fortune's commitment to exploring new business dynamics, with Riyadh being a pivotal center for women empowerment in business. “It’s a timely opportunity to gather some of the most influential and innovative women globally in Riyadh to inspire, connect, and drive significant progress in global businesses and governments,” she remarked.

Fortune's Chief Editor, Alyson Shontell, emphasized the importance of Saudi Arabia in the global economic landscape in a recent edition of the MPW Daily newsletter. The newsletter highlighted how the acceleration of advancements relating to women in Saudi Arabia serves as an impetus for Fortune’s engagement in the region. “Our journalism aims to enhance businesses and serve as a powerful voice driving progress,” she stated. “We’re excited to document the progress being made in the region.”

On May 20, during the summit, Fortune will also unveil its iconic list of the 100 Most Powerful Women in Business. Now in its 28th edition, the list acknowledges women from diverse sectors including finance, technology, health, telecommunications, retail, and energy - companies that are redefining their industries and pushing boundaries. The 2024 iteration of this list featured leaders hailing from 19 countries across 14 sectors, with over half of the women being CEOs of major companies listed on Fortune 500 and Global 500.

This summit is organized in collaboration with the General Authority for Conventions and Exhibitions of Saudi Arabia (SCEGA), showcasing a partnership aimed at leveraging the strengths of both organizations in advancing women’s leadership.

In essence, the Fortune Most Powerful Women International Summit signifies more than just a gathering; it’s an emblem of progression, collaboration, and innovation that could inspire generations to come. As the event approaches, anticipation builds around the insights, connections, and groundbreaking conversations that will emerge from Riyadh.

For further information about the summit or the Most Powerful Women initiative, visit fortune.com.