Under the esteemed patronage of the Supreme Council for Planning and Development, Dr. Khaled Mahdi, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Planning & Development, and in partnership with the U.S. Embassy and the Union of Investment Companies, the summit served as a pivotal platform for fostering discussions and exchanging insights on sustainable inclusion practices. Throughout the event, panelists explored innovative strategies that extend beyond basic initiatives, concentrating on practical solutions designed for Kuwait's unique socio-economic landscape
Dr. Arezou Harraf, Chair of AmCham Kuwait's Women in Business Focus Group, opened the summit by addressing the critical importance of sustainable inclusion as part of the region's pursuit of economic diversification and workforce retention. The meticulously curated agenda of the event covered multiple aspects of sustainable inclusion and featured keynote speeches, panel discussions, and interactive sessions led by prominent industry experts and leaders.
Key highlights of the summit included insightful presentations by renowned speakers such as Dr. Khaled Mahdi, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Planning & Development, alongside engaging panel discussions. These discussions were moderated by distinguished professionals like Ms. Eman Al Awadhi, Group Senior VP of Corporate Communications and Investor Relations at KIPCO. The 1st Panel titled, ‘Creating a Culture of Inclusivity’, featured a lineup of key experts: including Eman Al Awadhi; Dr. Lubna Al-Kadi, Founder and Professor at the Women’s Research and Studies Center; Salma AlHajjaj, General Manager of Human Resources at Gulf Bank; Makram Raad, Country Manager of DHL Express; Najlaa Al Sager, Head of Talent Management at Group Human Resources, National Bank of Kuwait; Fadwa Darwish, Secretary General of Union Investment Companies (UIC); and Mona Dabbah, Chief Customer Officer at Sultan.
The second panel, titled 'Making Sustainable Changes and Staying Inclusive', featured key experts such as Mohammad Zayed, Regional Director for Azure Infrastructure Business at Microsoft; Dr. Ziad Nakat, Resident Representative at the World Bank; Dr. Manal Al Hasawi, Founder and Managing Partner of Think Tank Strategy Consulting; and Lulwah Al Munifi, HR Organizational Effectiveness Leader and Inclusion Facilitator. The panel was moderated by Eman Al Awadhi, Group Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications & Investor Relations.
Moderated by Dr. Arezou Harraf, Vice-Chair of AmCham Kuwait and Chair of AmCham Kuwait's Women in Business Focus Group, the third panel discussed 'Measuring the Impact of Equitable Organizational, Legal, and Compensatory Practices'. The discussion featured key experts: H.E. Bessam Khadraoui, Deputy Ambassador at the Embassy of France; Ola Saab, Head of Corporate Commercial at Al Tamimi & Co – Kuwait; Noor W. Al-Naqeeb, Attorney at Dalal Al Mulla Law Firm; and Emma Morley, Resident Representative at UNDP.
Dr. Arezou Harraf concluded the summit by presenting a scalable, practical framework designed to assist both private and public sectors in assessing benchmarks related to diversity and inclusion practices. This matrix acts as a tool for measuring the potential return on investment for organizations. Dr. Harraf emphasized that entities utilizing this matrix and reporting their DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) benchmarks will receive a two-year badge from AmCham Kuwait. This initiative aims not only to assist organizations in tracking their diversity and inclusion efforts and outcomes but also supports Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting, marking a significant step towards integrating DEI metrics into broader corporate responsibility and sustainability efforts
Dr. Harraf wrapped up the summit by extending gratitude to all participants, partners, and sponsors for their invaluable contributions to the event's success. Special recognition was given to event partners, notably the U.S. Embassy, the Union of Investment Companies, and partner hotels for their unwavering support in advancing crucial diversity and inclusion initiatives. Dr. Harraf also recognized the Hotel DEI Partners involved in the Diversity & Inclusion Diwaniyas, which played a significant role in the summit's success. This includes the Four Seasons Hotel, Jumeirah Messilah Beach Kuwait, Crowne Plaza Al-Thuraya City, Grand Hyatt Hotel Kuwait, and Waldorf Astoria Hotel, highlighting their invaluable support and collaboration in fostering an inclusive environment.
As the summit concluded, participants departed with newfound insights, actionable strategies, and a renewed commitment to fostering sustainable diversity and inclusion within their respective organizations and communities. AmCham Kuwait looks forward to building on the momentum generated by the inaugural summit and anticipates continued collaboration and progress in the realm of diversity and inclusion.
ABCK-AmCham Kuwait: is a non-profit organization operating since 1985 and is composed of Fortune 500 corporations, small and medium-sized companies, and prominent business leaders and entrepreneurs, both American and Kuwaiti. ABCK-AmCham Kuwait has acted as an advocate for American interests in the state of Kuwait. For More Information, please visit our website at www.amchamkuwait.org or follow us on our social media channel @abck1985
