RIYADH: The Forbes Middle East Women’s Summit 2023 kicked off in Riyadh on Sunday.

The three-day event, chaired by Princess Noura bint Faisal Al-Saud, brings together more than 400 of the region’s most talented and accomplished women from all spheres of society.

The summit aims to examine the most important gender-related issues, refute outdated perceptions, and spark connections among a multigenerational global network of innovative women.

It aims to provide a platform for women to explore and redefine their role in the growth and evolution of the Middle East as a possible global hub for innovation and business excellence.

The summit includes a variety of experiences, activities and workshops designed to empower and support women in business while showcasing Saudi culture.

The speakers confirmed at the summit this year include astronaut Lama Al-Oraiman, actress Maguy Bou Ghosn, model and activist Halima Aden, swimmer Yusra Mardini, and motorsports athlete Dania Akeel.

Leading business icons include Shaista Asif, group COO at PureHealth; Dr. Saeeda Jaffar, senior vice president and group country manager for the GCC at Visa; and Pakinam Kafafi, CEO of TAQA Arabia.

Other influential women leaders featured at the summit include Lujaina Mohsin Darwish, chairperson of infrastructure, technology, industrial and consumer solutions at Mohsin Haider Darwish L.L.C.; Hoda Mansour, SAP’s senior vice president and head of business process transformation, EMEA South; and Moon Baz, creator partnerships lead, Middle East, Africa and Turkiye at Meta.