WOMEN IN ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY. SBC Institutional Programme Series No. 8
Advancing Women's Leadership in International Economic Cooperation and Institutional Development
The Women in Economic Diplomacy Programme is the Saudi Business Council's institutional programme dedicated to strengthening the participation, leadership, and contribution of women in international economic cooperation, economic diplomacy, strategic partnerships, governance, innovation, education, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development.
Developed within the Council's institutional architecture—including the Council of 5 Framework, the Economic Diplomacy Strategy, the Saudi Partnership Dossier, and the Partner Lifecycle—the Programme recognises that resilient institutions and effective international cooperation are strengthened through inclusive leadership, diverse expertise, and broad participation across sectors and disciplines.
As an independent, non-profit, private-sector association legally registered in the National Register of Associations (Registro Nacional de Asociaciones) of the Ministry of the Interior of the Kingdom of Spain under Registration Number 633101, the Saudi Business Council (SBC) promotes initiatives that encourage professional excellence, institutional collaboration, and international dialogue in alignment with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
The Programme provides a structured platform through which governments, public institutions, companies, investors, universities, development institutions, international organisations, and professional networks can strengthen cooperation by supporting women's leadership within international economic cooperation.
Rather than functioning as a networking initiative, the Programme promotes governance-based cooperation that enables women to contribute to long-term institutional development, responsible economic diplomacy, and sustainable international partnerships.
Programme Purpose
The purpose of the Women in Economic Diplomacy Programme is to strengthen institutional participation by encouraging leadership, professional excellence, and international cooperation.
The Programme seeks to:
- Promote women's leadership in international economic cooperation
- Strengthen participation in economic diplomacy
- Encourage responsible institutional leadership
- Support entrepreneurship and innovation
- Promote executive leadership
- Encourage academic and research collaboration
- Facilitate international knowledge exchange
- Strengthen professional networks
- Promote institutional capacity
- Contribute to the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030
The Programme recognises that sustainable international cooperation benefits from diverse perspectives, responsible leadership, and inclusive institutional engagement.
Strategic Areas
The Programme supports cooperation across a broad range of strategic themes, including:
- Economic Diplomacy.
- International Cooperation.
- Leadership Development.
- Institutional Governance.
- Entrepreneurship.
- Innovation.
- International Trade.
- Responsible Investment Dialogue.
- Education.
- Research.
- Public Policy Dialogue.
- Human Capital Development.
- Sustainable Development.
- Cross-Cultural Collaboration.
- Institutional Capacity Building.
These strategic areas reflect the increasingly important contribution of women to international economic development and global institutional cooperation.
Institutional Methodology
The Programme is implemented through the institutional methodologies developed by the Saudi Business Council.
These include:
- Council of 5 Framework
- Economic Diplomacy Strategy
- Saudi Partnership Dossier
- Partner Lifecycle
- Research Programme
- Education Programme
Together, these methodologies provide a structured framework for strengthening leadership, governance, institutional cooperation, and professional development.
Programme Activities
Activities undertaken through the Programme may include:
- Leadership forums
- Executive roundtables
- International conferences
- Policy dialogue
- Research initiatives
- Educational programmes
- Executive seminars
- Mentorship initiatives
- Knowledge exchange programmes
- Institutional partnerships
- Capacity-building initiatives
- Strategic publications
Activities are developed according to the strategic objectives, governance requirements, and institutional responsibilities of participating organisations.
Who the Programme Serves
The Programme supports participation by:
- Governments and public institutions
- Companies
- Entrepreneurs
- Investors
- Universities
- Researchers
- Academics
- International organisations
- Development institutions
- Professional associations
- Foundations
- Civil society organisations
The Programme encourages multidisciplinary collaboration while fully respecting the governance frameworks and institutional mandates of participating organisations.
Strategic Contribution
The Women in Economic Diplomacy Programme contributes to Saudi Vision 2030 by supporting:
- Human Capital Development
- Women's Economic Participation
- Leadership Development
- Innovation
- Entrepreneurship
- Knowledge Exchange
- International Cooperation
- Institutional Capacity Building
- Sustainable Economic Development
- Global Strategic Partnerships
By strengthening women's participation in international cooperation, the Programme contributes to more resilient institutions, stronger partnerships, and sustainable long-term development.
International Cooperation
The Programme encourages collaboration among governments, public institutions, companies, universities, research institutes, development institutions, international organisations, and professional networks.
Through dialogue, education, research, executive learning, and partnership development, the Programme promotes greater international understanding while strengthening institutional relationships across regions and sectors.
Working within the Council of 5 Framework, the Programme contributes to responsible economic diplomacy and sustainable international cooperation by encouraging inclusive leadership and multidisciplinary collaboration.
Guiding Principles
The Programme is governed by the Saudi Business Council's institutional principles:
- Integrity
- Independence
- Transparency
- Accountability
- Professionalism
- Responsible Leadership
- Respect for Diversity
- Evidence-Based Decision-Making
- Long-Term Partnership
- Sustainable Development
These principles guide every programme, publication, institutional partnership, and international engagement undertaken within the Women in Economic Diplomacy Programme.
Strategic Vision
The Saudi Business Council believes that the future of international economic cooperation depends upon institutions that recognise and strengthen the contribution of women across leadership, governance, innovation, research, entrepreneurship, education, and policy development.
The Programme therefore seeks to create an international platform where women from diverse sectors and regions contribute to responsible economic diplomacy, institutional excellence, and sustainable international partnerships.
By encouraging leadership founded upon professionalism, integrity, collaboration, and long-term vision, the Programme supports stronger institutions and a more resilient global cooperation ecosystem in support of Saudi Vision 2030.
Institutional Notice
The Women in Economic Diplomacy Programme is an institutional programme of the Saudi Business Council.
The Saudi Business Council (SBC) is an independent, non-profit, private-sector association legally registered in the National Register of Associations (Registro Nacional de Asociaciones) of the Ministry of the Interior of the Kingdom of Spain under Registration Number 633101 and NIF G26608752.
SBC is not a governmental authority, ministry, chamber of commerce, regulator, licensing body, investment authority, diplomatic mission, or public institution.
Unless expressly authorised in writing for a specific purpose, SBC does not represent the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Government of the Kingdom of Spain, or any sovereign institution.
Participation in this Programme does not constitute governmental endorsement, regulatory approval, academic accreditation, professional certification, or official representation before public authorities. All governmental, educational, and regulatory matters remain within the competence of the relevant institutions.
The Women in Economic Diplomacy Programme reflects the Saudi Business Council's commitment to advancing responsible international cooperation by strengthening women's participation in leadership, governance, economic diplomacy, innovation, education, and strategic partnership development.
By integrating inclusive leadership, institutional capacity building, knowledge exchange, and international collaboration within the Council's broader programme architecture, the Programme contributes to stronger institutions, more resilient partnerships, and sustainable international cooperation in support of Saudi Vision 2030 and long-term global prosperity.