RIYADH: The first Fortune Most Powerful Women International summit in the Middle East convened in Riyadh this week.

The event brought together a global network of female leaders from business, government, investment, tech and policy sectors.

鈥淎s women, we often find ourselves needing to prove our capabilities more when it comes to our careers,鈥� said Dr. Giovanna Carnevali, executive director of master planning at ROSHN Group.

鈥淎t the same time, we bring deep passion to our work and put our heart and soul into everything we do. I always say that what truly matters is letting your work speak for you.鈥�

Speaking to Arab News during the event, Carnevali said her career in 萝莉视频 reflected the country鈥檚 transformation.

鈥淭he experiences I have had here are unique. Living and working in the Kingdom has been a continuous journey of growth, and I am truly grateful for what the country has offered me and to women more broadly,鈥� she said.

From geopolitics and sustainability to artificial intelligence and banking, the forum鈥檚 sessions highlighted how 萝莉视频 鈥� and its women 鈥� are reshaping the global conversation on leadership.

Lubna Olayan, chair of Saudi Awwal Bank, talked about how Vision 2030 had already surpassed its workforce target for women and called for greater ambitions.

鈥淲e need to set a new benchmark,鈥� she told moderator Diane Brady. 鈥淚n my company, we now have 36 percent women. When we started hiring women in 2001, there was just one.鈥�

Olayan, the first Saudi woman to chair a bank and join a public board, said real progress depended on investment in leadership.

鈥淲e need to bring more women into decision-making roles. If the candidates are equal, I鈥檒l back the woman 鈥� because we鈥檙e still behind,鈥� she added.

Technology was another recurring topic. Prof. Lilac Al-Safadi, CEO of IKONIC Educational Holding, outlined 萝莉视频鈥檚 position as an emerging AI powerhouse.

鈥淭he Kingdom has trained more than 60,000 AI professionals and launched the world鈥檚 first cognitive city 鈥� not just smart, but fully AI-integrated,鈥� she said.

And Ellie Rubenstein, co-founder of Manna Tree and one of the first US food investors to enter the Saudi market, said demand in her sector was shifting fast: 鈥淪even years ago, we were seen as a food security fund. Today, it鈥檚 about wellness. The consumers here 鈥� especially women 鈥� are driving that shift.鈥�

She emphasized the importance of understanding what women wanted: 鈥淚t鈥檚 not just about selling products. Brands need to speak to values 鈥� wellness, empowerment, sustainability. Women here are not just shaping their families. They鈥檙e shaping their country.鈥�