Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan, a leading entrepreneur and philanthropist, was named ambassador of Saudi Arabia to the US by royal decree on February 23, 2019,
Prior to her appointment, she was vice president of women’s affairs at the General Sports Authority (GSA), a position she held since 2016. She was also named president of the Saudi Federation for Community Sports in 2017 and appointed to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in August 2018.
Princess Reema's father was a former ambassador to the US, and she spent several years there during her youth. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in museum studies from George Washington University.
When she returned to Saudi Arabia in 2005, she assumed CEO positions for Al Hama LLC and Alfa International. She launched her own handbag brand, Baraboux, in 2013. She also founded the private equity fund Reemiyah and co-founded Yibreen, a women’s day spa.
Princess Reema is one of the founding members of the Zahra Breast Cancer Association in Riyadh. She is also a member of The World Bank’s Advisory Council for the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative.
She has spoken publicly about the inclusion of women in the Saudi work force, describing the reforms as “evolution, not Westernization.”
She spoke at the Atlantic Council in Washington about the Kingdom’s efforts to tackle bigger issues than women being allowed to drive or attend football games, which she described as “quick wins.” Problems such as domestic violence demanded greater scrutiny, she said.
Princess Reema also spoke about providing women with careers in a currently male-dominated region.
FaceOf: Princess Reema bint Bandar, Saudi Arabia’s new ambassador to the US
FaceOf: Princess Reema bint Bandar, Saudi Arabia’s new ambassador to the US
- Princess Reema was vice president of women’s affairs at the General Sports Authority since 2016
- She has spoken publicly about the inclusion of women in the Saudi work force
Jeddah Book Fair set to showcase rising Saudi literary scene
- This year’s cultural program reflects the Kingdom’s heritage, with over 170 events including lectures, panel discussions and workshops
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission is preparing to host the Jeddah Book Fair from Dec. 11 to 20 at Jeddah Superdome, bringing together more than 1,000 local and international publishing houses and agencies from 24 countries across 400 booths.
Held under the slogan “Jeddah Reads,” the fair is part of the commission’s “Saudi Reads” campaign, which seeks to strengthen the Saudi literary landscape by encouraging reading and creating meaningful engagement between authors and audiences.
Dr. Abdullatif Al-Wasil, CEO of the commission, said the Jeddah Book Fair reflects the leadership’s continued commitment to cultural development and the rapid growth of the Kingdom’s literature, publishing and translation sector.
He highlighted the fair’s interactive programs for publishers, authors, translators and the public, which are designed to enhance content quality, support creative development and foster knowledge partnerships.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Jeddah Book Fair seeks to strengthen the Saudi literary landscape by encouraging reading and creating meaningful engagement between authors and audiences.
• It will host prominent writers, thinkers and cultural figures from Saudi Arabia and abroad, offering a 10-day schedule of literary, intellectual and scientific events.
• The fair will continue to support emerging Saudi voices through the Saudi Authors’ Corner for self-published writers.
The event also reinforces Saudi Arabia’s position as a cultural hub attracting major publishers, content creators and investors.
This year’s cultural program reflects the Kingdom’s heritage, with over 170 events including lectures, panel discussions and workshops. A dedicated children’s zone will feature literary and entertainment activities tailored to young visitors, along with competitions to inspire reading and creativity.
The fair will host prominent writers, thinkers and cultural figures from Saudi Arabia and abroad, offering a 10-day schedule of literary, intellectual and scientific events.
Book-signing stations will give readers the chance to meet their favorite authors, while cultural organizations, community groups and universities will present their latest publications and initiatives.
A manga and anime zone will highlight collectibles from the genre, alongside specialized books. A discounted books section will also be available to promote wider access to reading.
The fair will continue to support emerging Saudi voices through the Saudi Authors’ Corner for self-published writers, where hundreds of titles across literary and cultural fields will be showcased, underscoring the fair’s role in nurturing local talent and enriching the Kingdom’s evolving literary scene.
