Fortune has announced that the Fortune Most Powerful Women International Summit will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on 20-21 May 2025. This marks the first time the prestigious summit will be hosted in the region, highlighting the growing influence of female leadership in global business and governance.
The invitation-only Fortune Most Powerful Women (MPW) community brings together top leaders from various industries and governments worldwide. Known for its agenda-setting discussions, the summit will explore key global business trends and the role of public-private partnerships in driving innovation and economic growth. Topics will include leadership in times of crisis, economic shifts, technological advancements, and evolving industries such as healthcare, finance, entertainment, and sports.
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and Women’s Economic Empowerment
Saudi Arabia has been making significant strides in economic transformation, with women playing a crucial role in this progress. Under the country’s Vision 2030 initiative, women’s workforce participation has more than doubled, rising from 17% in 2017 to 36% today. Additionally, 45% of small and medium-sized businesses in Saudi Arabia are now owned by women, reflecting the country’s expanding entrepreneurial landscape.
By bringing the MPW Summit to Riyadh, Fortune is offering global leaders exclusive access to this rapidly growing market, facilitating partnerships and strengthening international collaboration.
Fortune’s Commitment to Business Innovation and Progress
Anastasia Nyrkovskaya, CEO of Fortune, emphasised the significance of the Riyadh summit: Fortune is committed to being at the forefront of emerging global business hubs, and Saudi Arabia is a pivotal one. This is an exciting moment to bring together some of the world’s most influential women in Riyadh to foster innovation, collaboration, and meaningful progress. Fortune’s Most Powerful Women events have led these conversations for nearly three decades, and now it is time to tap into the dynamic Riyadh hub for our first women’s summit in the Middle East.”
Fortune’s Editor-in-Chief, Alyson Shontell, also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s growing role in the global economy, stating in the MPW Daily newsletter: “Our mission at Fortune is to make business better and drive progress. With Saudi Arabia’s rapid advancements, particularly for women, we want to be closer to the action and document this transformation.”
Unveiling the 2025 Most Powerful Women in Business List
Coinciding with the summit, Fortune will reveal its 100 Most Powerful Women in Business list on 20 May 2025. Now in its 28th year, this prestigious list celebrates female leaders shaping the future of industries such as finance, technology, healthcare, telecom, retail, and energy. The 2024 edition featured leaders from 19 countries and 14 sectors, with over half of the honourees serving as CEOs of Fortune 500 and Global 500 companies.
A Strategic Partnership for Global Impact
The Fortune Most Powerful Women International Summit will be held in collaboration with the Saudi Conventions and Exhibitions General Authority (SCEGA). This partnership underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to fostering business growth and gender diversity on a global scale.
As the world’s leading female executives, policymakers, and entrepreneurs convene in Riyadh, the event is set to drive transformational discussions that will shape the future of leadership, innovation, and economic progress worldwide.