Bahrain EDB boss steers summer Davos
TDT | Manama
Bahrain's Minister of Sustainable Development and Chief Executive of the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB), H.E. Noor bint Ali Alkhulaif, has taken centre stage this week as CoChair of the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2025, hosted in Tianjin, China.
The prestigious role puts H.E. Alkhulaif among a select group of global figures shaping the agenda at the three-day forum, often dubbed 'Summer Davos', which gathers over 1,700 leaders from government, business, civil society, and academia to navigate fast-changing global trends.
Leading role
Bahrain's participation stands out not just for its economic pitch but for its leadership face. As one of the few Arab women co-chairing the event, H.E. Alkhulaif brings a distinctive voice to panels on emerging economies, workforce readiness, innovation, and female empowerment. Her inclusion also reflects the Kingdom's growing influence in global policy conversations around digital transformation and sustainability.
This year's forum theme, 'Entrepreneurship for a New Era', aligns closely with Bahrain's diversification efforts, with sessions structured around key themes such as 'Deciphering the World Economy', 'Outlook on China', 'Industries Disrupted', and 'Investing in People and Planet'.
Global ties
H.E. Alkhulaif is joined by other high-level Co-Chairs including H.E. Faisal Alibrahim of Saudi Arabia, Egypt's Minister H.E. Rania Al-Mashat, Henadi Al Saleh of Agility, and Chinese energy giant CNPC's Chairman Dai Houliang, further amplifying MENA and Asia's influence at the global forum.
As Co-Chair, H.E. Alkhulaif will take part in sessions including 'Contours of a New Economic Order', 'MENA-China Trade and Investment Relations', 'Skills That Matter', and 'Women Leaders - Shaping Tomorrow's Economy', offering Bahrain a global platform to showcase its reforms and ambitions.
Strategic platform
Alongside her engagements, Bahrain EDB officials are also set to participate in high-level bilateral meetings and networking events aimed at deepening investor ties and boosting the Kingdom's competitiveness.
Bahrain's long-standing partnership with the World Economic Forum is a cornerstone of its international engagement strategy, and H.E. Alkhulaif 's selection as Co-Chair reflects both her leadership credentials and the Kingdom's aspirations to position itself as a high-value investment destination in an era defined by disruption. The forum runs until June 26th.
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