RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Commerce and CEO of the National Competitiveness Center, Iman bint Habas Al-Mutairi, has highlighted Saudi Arabia’s efforts in empowering women and promoting their participation in the country’s economic development. Al-Mutairi’s comments came during an “Equal and inclusive representation of women in decision-making systems” event, which was organized by the permanent mission of Saudi Arabia to the UN and international organizations in Geneva, in partnership with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. The event was held on the sidelines of the 53rd session of the UN Human Rights Council, and was jointly sponsored by the permanent missions of Denmark and Nigeria to the UN, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday. Addressing ambassadors and representatives of permanent missions in Geneva and the UN organizations, Al-Mutairi said Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 has framed the economic transformation process. The vision, adopted by the Kingdom’s government in accordance with the directives of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, prioritizes the enhancement of women’s participation in various fields at all levels across the Kingdom, she added. Nicole Emeline, member of CEDAW; Tine Morch Smith, permanent representative of Norway to the UN in Geneva; Eghobamien-Mshelia Esther, vice chair of CEDAW; and UN Women representative Christine Arab participated in the panel session, which was moderated by Lama Ghazzawi, a member of the Saudi Human Rights Commission. Al-Mutairi said that Saudi women play a significant role in the country’s transformation course and that their participation in development is one of the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 which aims to promote sustainable economic growth. She added that the Kingdom has established a number of initiatives to support women’s policies, which have contributed to Saudi women holding senior positions such as ministers and ambassadors and members of the Shoura Council. She said that in 2022, women held 41 percent of senior and mid-level jobs in the business sector, while more than 9,000 Saudi women leaders were registered in Qiyadiyat, the national platform containing a database of Saudi women leaders. Al-Mutairi said that the Kingdom is working to increase the success rate already achieved and is continuing to address challenges with the aim of supporting women in the business environment. Initiatives include equal wages, protection measures, and the provision of childcare services, as well as the launch of the Wusool program, which covers 80 percent of transportation costs of working women. Al-Mutairi had previously met with Emeline in the presence of Abdulmohsen Majed bin Khothaila, the permanent representative of Saudi Arabia to the UN Office in Geneva. The meeting reviewed the prospects for cooperation between the Kingdom and the CEDAW committee, and emphasized the importance of effective communication between the two parties. In addition, it discussed the most prominent developments and reforms achieved by human rights legislation in the Kingdom, as well as the initiatives of Saudi Vision 2030 related to enhancing women’s participation in development.