Saudi Arabia Promotes Women Leadership at UNIDO Global Summit

On the third day of the 21st session of the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) General Conference in Riyadh, a special panel titled “Empowering Women, Transforming Industry: Leadership for a Sustainable Future” took place. This session was part of the Women Empowerment Day at the Global Industry Summit 2025.

Saudi Arabia used the platform to share its strategy for empowering women in the industrial sector. The country reaffirmed its commitment to building a more inclusive industrial economy where women play a strong role in shaping the nation’s industrial development.

Dr. Abdullah bin Ali Alahmari, Assistant Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Planning and Development, spoke at the session. He highlighted Saudi efforts to increase women’s participation across all industrial sectors. He said women’s leadership is central to driving innovation, enhancing efficiency, and achieving sustainable industrial growth in the Kingdom.

Dr. Alahmari explained that currently more than 100,000 women work in Saudi Arabia’s industrial sector. These women are employed in over 12,000 licensed factories, showing the growing role of female talent in shaping the industrial landscape.

The Kingdom is also focusing on developing industrial infrastructure to create more opportunities for women. This includes rehabilitating and expanding factory capacities and upgrading facilities to accommodate additional female employees. Saudi authorities are working with both public and private sector partners, as well as local and international organizations, to support women’s skills development and leadership growth.

The panel discussion emphasized that empowering women is not only a social goal but also an economic driver. Countries that invest in women’s skills, leadership, and entrepreneurship create stronger, more adaptable economies. They can accelerate their national transformation plans while fostering innovation and sustainable growth.

International industrial leaders also participated in the session. They shared examples and strategies to support women in industry globally. The discussion highlighted the importance of collaboration between governments, companies, and educational institutions to build an inclusive and resilient industrial sector.

Participants agreed that providing women with opportunities in leadership roles, training, and decision-making positions helps industries perform better. This approach also encourages innovation, improves productivity, and ensures long-term competitiveness in the global market.

Saudi Arabia’s strategy aims to balance industrial modernization with social inclusion. By empowering women and enhancing their industrial expertise, the Kingdom seeks to create a future-ready workforce. Dr. Alahmari concluded that women are key contributors to the success of Saudi Arabia’s industrial transformation and the achievement of sustainable economic development goals.

The session at the UNIDO summit highlighted Saudi Arabia’s proactive approach to combining women empowerment with industrial growth, demonstrating how inclusive policies can transform industries and strengthen national economies.