AccorHotels, a leading hotel operator, hosted the second edition of the “Women’s Empowerment and Integration Forum” at the Sofitel Jeddah on March 4. The event, which was sponsored by Princess Lamia bint Majid Al-Saud, secretary general of Alwaleed Philanthropies, focused on inspiring a new generation of young Saudi women to reach the highest level of professional development.
The forum was endorsed by local authorities represented by the Ministry of Labor and Social Development, the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) and the Human Resources Development Fund. The event, which was open to the public, attracted over 300 attendees including local businesses, NGOs as well as students from the University of Business and Technology (UBT) Jeddah, Dar Al-Hekma University and government officials.
Al-Saud said: “We know that women’s empowerment and integration in the workforce is one of the most effective ways of driving social and economic progress, and this goal influences a large part of our work. This supports our country’s target of getting 30 percent of women active in the workforce by 2030.” She also discussed the role of women in the Kingdom and their capacity to shape our future.
Mohamed Al-Amry, SCTH general manager for the Makkah region, added: “We are proud to be associated with this forum which fits within our goals to develop the skills and capabilities of young Saudi nationals in the Kingdom. Through this initiative we hope to raise further awareness among women within Saudi Arabia on ways through which they can realize their full potential and integrate into the local hospitality market workforce.”
Salah Oumoudden, senior vice president of operations at Accor Hotels Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Tunisia and Algeria, said: “As the leading hotel operator in Saudi Arabia we are committed to empowering young female talent, enhancing their skills and helping them reaching their full potential within the workplace. We are dedicated to hiring more than 5,000 Saudi nationals over the next five years out of which 30 percent will be female employees.”
AccorHotels hosts 2nd edition of women’s empowerment forum
AccorHotels hosts 2nd edition of women’s empowerment forum
Schneider Electric to advance energy technology to power intelligence at Innovation Summit Middle East & Africa
Schneider Electric, a global energy technology leader, has announced that the second edition of the Innovation Summit Middle East & Africa will be held in Abu Dhabi on April 28–29.
The summit will bring together global energy and technology leaders as well as government officials to advance the regional shift toward energy intelligence, as data center growth, AI adoption, and national visions place unprecedented demands on energy systems.
Schneider Electric is advancing its energy technology ambitions with the integration of electrification, automation and digital intelligence, deployed across buildings, data centers, industrial applications and power grids to unlock the full value of energy, and ensure efficiency and sustainability for all.
This year’s summit arrives at a pivotal moment for the Middle East and Africa, as the region experiences exponential growth driven by national visions, giga-projects, and rapid expansion in AI, data centers, and digital infrastructure.
Saudi Arabia stands out within this landscape as one of the most dynamic markets in terms of investment in digital infrastructure and sustainable energy.
With global electricity demand projected to grow at a strong compound annual growth rate of 3.6% over the 2026–2030 period and global AI workloads projected to lead a 160% increase in data center power demand, the imperative for intelligent, sustainable energy solutions has never been more critical.
“Energy today is the foundation of national resilience and competitiveness. With electricity consumption in the Middle East and North Africa having tripled since 2000 and on course to grow at an incremental 3-4% every year to register a whopping 50% by 2035 – driven by surging cooling, desalination, and urbanization demands, the region is at an inflection point,” said Walid Sheta, Zone president, Middle East and Africa, Schneider Electric.
“Innovation Summit Middle East & Africa underscores our dedication to accelerating energy technology innovation and powering energy intelligence throughout the region. This edition will emphasize our emergence as the trusted energy technology partner guiding the region’s next phase of transformation. "
This year’s summit will highlight regional benchmarks from 80+ countries, from the 100% elimination of SF6 and Carbon footprint reduction for fruit producers in South Africa to the savings that EcoStruxure Power & Grid is enabling for the National Electricity Company, Senegal – ensuring recovery times of 3 minutes versus 3 hours earlier.
Blending high-impact programming and latest product launches that position Schneider Electric at the center of MEA's energy transition story, key agenda items include:
CEO Forum in partnership with Forbes Middle East: An exclusive C-suite initiative bringing together 100 business leaders to address strategic imperatives in energy intelligence.
Keynote and Thought Leadership sessions: Featuring executive speakers from industry-leading companies and insights from strategic partners, including Bain & Company.
Innovation Hub experience: Guided tours and live demonstrations, as well as tailored customer experiences of Schneider Electric’s most innovative and integrated energy technology solutions addressing critical challenges in energy efficiency, grid modernization, and digital infrastructure across a 3,000 square feet immersive space.
Stakeholder recognition: Schneider Electric’s dedicated partners will be honored with 20 Cluster awards and five Middle East and Africa awards across four categories – Growth Award, Efficiency Award, Innovation Award, and Sustainability Award, on Day 2 of the Summit.
"Across the Gulf, energy intelligence is becoming the operational reality as public and private sector enterprises race to align with national visions for a decarbonized and sustainable future,” said Amel Chadli, president, Gulf Cluster at Schneider Electric.
“As one of the most local of global companies, Schneider Electric is empowering customers to move beyond electrification and implement AI‑driven, software‑defined energy systems that deliver efficiency, resilience, and sustainability at a national scale. This summit offers a roadmap of what’s next as we continue to redefine the relationship between energy and digital capability.”
With AI, cloud, and high-performance computing becoming foundational to national competitiveness, energy technologies today must evolve and become resilient, sustainable and scalable to meet modern intelligence demands.
Schneider Electric's refreshed positioning as an energy technology partner reflects the company's approach to supporting the region's transformation.
Schneider Electric’s Innovation Summit Middle East & Africa highlights real-world applications across key sectors, including utilities, data centers, commercial buildings, industrial facilities, and critical infrastructure — demonstrating how intelligent energy management enables operational excellence, resilience, and sustainability across the region's most vital projects.
