The 39th session of the Arab Women’s Committee kicked off on Feb. 9 and declared Riyadh as the Capital of Arab Women 2020. The new phase is held under the slogan “Empowering Women... Development of Society.” The session’s first day was dedicated to the regional preparatory meeting of the Commission on the Status of Women 64 (CSW), in which the 25-year long activities and performance of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the Beijing +25 Regional Review Meeting were reviewed. During its second day, the Committee is scheduled to discuss several topics on the agenda. It will begin by discussing the General Secretariat’s activity report between the previous session and the current one, empowering women in the Arab region and reviewing the sustainable development agenda 2030. Attendees are also scheduled to follow up on the outcomes of the ministerial conference on “Enhancing women’s role in Arab societies- lessons learned worldwide.” The Kingdom’s hosting of the 39th session of the Arab Women Committee comes in line with its efforts to serve Arab issues and support the development carried out in all Arab societies, said Secretary-General of the Family Affairs Council Dr. Hala al-Tuwaijri. She said the meetings advance women’s status and support their rights through economic and social empowerment and highlight their leadership and influential role in vital sectors. Tuwaijri pointed out that during these meetings Riyadh was declared as the capital of Arab women for the year 2020, under the slogan “The Woman is a Nation and an Ambition.” She highlighted the Kingdom’s presidency of the G20 and the subsequent meetings that confirm the international role played by the Kingdom at all levels. Saudi Arabia is going through a new stage in empowering women, supporting their participation in sustainable development in various fields and providing them with their full rights within the society. The Family Affairs Council is the official authority in Saudi Arabia that represents women, family, children and the elderly in international organizations and bodies.