JEDDAH: Princess Reema bint Bandar, Saudi ambassador to the US, is to chair the International Women in Defense program. The initiative aims to promote women’s participation and celebrate their role in the defense sector. It is part of the upcoming World Defense Show which will take place in Riyadh from Feb. 4-8 under the patronage of King Salman. Princess Reema, who leads the program, said the Kingdom placed great importance on promoting and supporting women’s work in various sectors, including defense and security. She said Saudi Vision 2030 had contributed to the success and excellence of women in different fields by integrating them into the Saudi labor market. “These programs reflect the Saudi government’s commitment to empowering women and increasing their participation globally. The Women in Defense program provides a unique platform to enhance opportunities for further success,” she added. The program will host executive directors and female leaders from different countries, showcasing women’s achievements, discussing ongoing challenges and exploring their contributions to the defense sector worldwide. CEO of the World Defense Show, Andrew Pearcey, said the event would focus on the growth of small and medium-sized Saudi enterprises and startups to highlight their talents and ideas in the sector. The Kingdom was now one of the biggest spenders in the defense market, he added. The first show, in 2022, brought together 600 defense and security exhibitors from 42 countries and recorded SR29.7 billion ($7.9 billion) in deals.