From October 15 to 17, the city of Munich proudly hosted the distinguished German-Arab Women Business Leaders Summit, an event dedicated to empowering women to shape the economy of tomorrow. This significant gathering at the iconic Hotel Bayerischer Hof brought together over 400 leading women entrepreneurs, executives, and decision-makers from Germany and the Arab world.
Held under the powerful theme “When Women Lean In, Economies Win,” the German-Arab Women Business Leaders Summit emphasized the critical role women play in driving sustainable economic growth. Women’s empowerment, both socially and economically, is no longer a matter of fairness alone—it is a strategic investment in resilience and future prosperity.
The Summit was held under the patronage of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, and was organized by Dr. Gabi Kratochwil’s CrossCultures Network, in collaboration with Ghorfa – Arab-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and global development partners including the World Bank, UNIDO, GIZ, KfW, and the Association of German Women Entrepreneurs (VdU).
Among the distinguished attendees was HRH Prince Khalid bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, who served as the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Germany from 21 June 2017 to 10 February 2019. His presence underscored Saudi Arabia’s commitment to women’s advancement and international collaboration.
Prominent German business figures in attendance included Janina Kugel (Board Member, Siemens), Petra Justenhoven (Partner, PwC), and Ursula Schwarzenbart (Head of Global Diversity Management, Daimler), alongside H.E. Brigitte Zypries, former Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy.
A highlight of the event was the presentation of the Ta’awun – German-Arab Women Cooperation of Excellence Award, recognizing outstanding joint initiatives that foster women-led cooperation between Germany and the Arab world.
The Summit concluded with the “Celebrate & Share” charity gala, supported by high-end German and Arab brands like AIGNER and KASHIDA, raising funds for a charitable cause.
With its rich agenda and powerful participants, the German-Arab Women Business Leaders Summit reinforced itself as a strategic platform for cross-cultural dialogue, business innovation, and the collective empowerment of women leaders across two vital regions.
