Arab Women's Summit

HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh embraces award winner

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Amplifying the voices of the women leading the way

The first event of its kind, the Arab Women’s Summit is not only a cultural meeting between the UK and Arab world, but also a celebration of the remarkable women that are paving the way to a better future for everyone.

Unlike other women’s summits, we shine a spotlight on the women achieving remarkable things and innovating their fields. We believe this dispels stereotypes and misconceptions, changing the narrative of women as victims and instead spreading a message of the power they can hold. Therefore, every year our sessions are on the most important topics concerning international relations, cultural exchange, innovation and the next generation.

Held annually in the iconic Lancaster House, the Arab Women’s Summit amplifies women’s voices and brings Arab culture into the heart of London.

Join the conversation

Sparking conversation, building connection and making a real difference

Join us in the heart of a British royal palace, Lancaster House, where we will convene a powerful collection of innovative and visionary voices on the frontlines of progress. Make your voice heard in discussions on some of the most important topics, including:

creating a roadmap for the next generation
rebuilding in the face of tragedy
building a community through sport
the impact of the media
visions for the future
and more

Get involved now to have your say in the 2025 Arab Women’s Summit and be included in the heart of this one of a kind celebration of women’s empowerment and cultural connection in London.

2025 Speakers

HE Shaikh Fawaz Bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Dean for the Council of Arab Ambassadors and Ambassador for the Kingdom of Bahrain

His Excellency Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohamed Al Khalifa has been the Kingdom of Bahrain’s Ambassador to the Court of St. James’s since 2015, with accreditation also to the Republic of Ireland, the Kingdom of Spain and, since February 2023, Iceland.

Prior to his appointment as Ambassador in London, H.E. Shaikh Fawaz held several senior positions in Bahrain, including Minister of State for Communication (2012-2014), President of the Information Affairs Authority (2010-2012), and President of the General Organization for Youth and Sports (2000-2010).

His Excellency Shaikh Fawaz holds a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from the American University in Washington, DC, and a Master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. He also graduated from the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst.

The Ambassador has received several notable awards for his outstanding contributions to Bahrain, including the Order of Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, 1st class, the Order of Bahrain, 1st class, and the Order of Achievement, 1st class, as well as the Prince Salman bin Hamad Medal for Medical Merit in recognition of his efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chair of the British Olympic Association

The Rt Hon Sir Hugh Robertson KCMG DL, Chairman of the British Olympic Association, Chairman of Camelot, Chairman of The Canterbury Cathedral Appeal and Deputy Lieutenant of Kent

Sir Hugh Robertson has been the Chair of Camelot, the operator of the National Lottery, since 2018. During that time, the company has recorded four years of rising sales including record sales figures during the 2019/ 20 and 2020/ 21 financial years. He is also Chair of the British Olympic Association, which won 65 medals, and came fourth, in Tokyo 2020 and returned its highest ever number of medals at a Winter Olympics in PyeongChang in 2018. He was previously Vice Chair during the Rio 2016 Olympics when Team GB won a record medal haul.

He served in Parliament from 2001 - 2015, doubling his majority at both the 2005 and 2010 elections. He was a Minister for Sport and the Olympics during London 2012, an event widely described as the finest Olympic and Paralympic Games of modern times. He was subsequently Minister for the Middle East, North Africa and Counter Terrorism at The Foreign Office taking part in the Kerry Middle East Peace Process and the Geneva Peace talks as well as many other major international negotiations.

Prior to entering Parliament, he worked at Schroder Investment Management and served in the army, seeing active service in Northern Ireland, Cyprus, the first Gulf War and Bosnia. He was made a Privy Counsellor in 2012 and, subsequently, knighted for his work on London 2012 and in the Middle East.

Yasmine Sabri International Superstar and London Arabia Ambassador

Yasmine Sabri is an internationally recognised film and tv superstar, she is also the first and only Arab woman to be an ambassador for Cartier.

Yasmine grew up in Egypt, before moving to New York City where she worked while in school. She quickly became very popular and is now the most internationally recognised Egyptian actress. She built her career herself and credits her success to being independent and strong willed.

She was also a professional swimmer in Egypt and enjoys an active lifestyle, while making time to read and take care of her beloved pets.

Throughout her success, Yasmine has also focused a lot of her time and resources on supporting and empowering young Arab girls so they can also achieve their ambitions. She has always been passionate about girls receiving equal education and opportunity. It is for this reason that she became London Arabia’s Ambassador and supports many initiatives focused on empowering women around the world, regardless of their background.

Kiran Haslam, Chief Marketing Officer at the Diriyah Company

Kiran currently holds the position of Chief Marketing Officer for Diriyah Company and is responsible for re-establishing Diriyah’s position within the Kingdom and globally as not just as the birthplace of the Kingdom, but also as a centre for the preservation of heritage and perpetuator of Saudi culture and heritage. This pedestrian and urban city, anchored on the UNESCO World Heritage site of At-Turaif, will play a significant role in redefining Saudi Arabia as a destination.

Prior to joining Diriyah Company, Kiran’s career spanned multiple continents, where he played a key role in reinventing two of the world’s most powerful luxury brands in both the luxury yachting and luxury automotive spheres. He has established and branded progressive media platforms in the Middle East; authored two children’s story books; toured the world as an acclaimed musician and composer - and has been recognized as an influential and powerful public speaker with a creatively disruptive and strategic mind. The Australian, Perth-born, nomad studied Marine Biology and graduated in Engineering Technology from Deakin University before pursuing his Masters in Guitar from Berklee (Boston), and has lived, studied and worked across South and Central Asia, the Middle East, Central Europe, and the United Kingdom, with his wife, 2 children and 17-year-old cat.

Omar Bdour, CEO of London Arabia Organisation, and Arab Women's Summit

Omar Bdour is the CEO and Founder of London Arabia Organisation: an organisation started with the aim to strengthen cultural and business relationships between the UK and the Arab world. Omar oversees the Arab Women of the Year Awards and London Arabia Art & Fashion Week, which celebrate the incredible Arab culture in London and the United Kingdom.

Omar is passionate about his personal mission to encourage better relations between the two regions, an aim evident in his previous work establishing LocalArabia as the first bilingual Arabic-English Newspaper, as well as work in the Arab British Chamber of Commerce from 2007-2015. His previous experience throughout his two-decade career has given him unique insight into relations between Arab and British businesses, governments, brands, and diplomats. For this, he is widely known in London as a leader in cultural exchange and international relations.

Omar is also the author of Trust Me, I’m An Arab, a book that serves as a guide to difference between Arab and Western business, in order to bridge the gap and aid in the forging of successful business relations. This is the culmination of many years or work teaching western companies and organisations on how to improve cross-cultural communication with their Arab colleagues, clients, and counterparts. He has also moderated and spoken at different events with a focus on Arab women and cross- cultural communications.

Anthea Peers, President of - Christie’s Europe, Middle East and Africa-

Anthea Peers is President, Christie’s EMEA, following her appointment to the position in March 2022.

Anthea Peers joined Christie’s in 2006, successfully developing a diversified career, prior to her current role holding the position of Global Managing Director of Private Sales (since 2019), an area of the business which saw its best year to date in 2021, leading the market with $1.7B in private sales. Prior to this, Anthea was Client Strategy Director for the Classic Art Group and led plans for the then new Classic Week series of sales, now a regular auction fixture globally at Christie’s. She has also worked as Business Director in Old Masters, as a paralegal, in client development, and across many departments including 20/21, and Estates, Appraisals and Valuations. Anthea has been at Christie’s for 17 years.

Capitalising on strong institutional knowledge together with a strong talent for problem-solving and management, Anthea is well positioned to lead the EMEA region. In this leadership role for EMEA, based in London, Anthea joins Christie’s dynamic team of regional presidents, alongside Bonnie Brennan, President Americas, Cécile Verdier, President France, and Francis Belin, President Asia Pacific.

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2025 Speakers

2024 Speakers