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The Belgian Embassy in Saudi Arabia hosted the third edition of the prestigious Women in Tech® MENA Awards on Sunday, October 27, 2024, celebrating the achievements of women shaping the technology sector across the Middle East and North Africa. The event, part of the 3rd annual Women in Tech Global Awards, marked a milestone in recognizing women's contributions to innovation and technological advancement in the region.

In her keynote address, Ayumi Moore Aoki, Founder and CEO of Women in Tech Global, stressed the importance of female leadership in technology. “We must foster an environment where women are at the forefront of technological advancements, leading to innovations that drive business success and deliver social impact,” she said.

Maya Ayoub, Country Director for Women in Tech Saudi Arabia, echoed this sentiment by highlighting Saudi Arabia's commitment to gender equality and innovation. “Vision 2030 has laid out a bold framework for our nation’s future—one that prioritizes innovation, economic diversification, and women's empowerment across all sectors. Technology is a key enabler of this transformation,” she remarked.

This year’s theme, “The Power of SHEroes: Shaping the Future of Technology,” aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, recognizing extraordinary achievements in categories that underscore innovation, inclusion, and impact.

Notable Award Winners include: 

• Lifetime Achievement Award: Deemah Al Yahya, Secretary General of Digital Cooperation Organization
• Global Leadership Award: Dr. Khulood Almani, CEO & Founder of HKB Tech
• Tech Diplomacy Award: Dr. Manahel Thabet, Special Envoy for Science and Technology to the SG of the Commonwealth of Nations
• GreenTech Start-up Award: Sarah El Battouty, Founder of ECOnsult
• Woman in Web3 Award: Sofia Lkhlef, Founder & CEO of Neia Solutions W.L.L
• Most Disruptive Award Powered by AWS: Prof. Selwa Al Hazza, Founder & CEO of SDM
• Most Impactful Initiative Award: Majd Mashharawi, Founder & CEO of SUNBOX
• Best Ally Award: Marwa Hammad, Head of the Global Gender Strategy at Schneider Electric Foundation
• Aspiring Teen Award: Nada Al Darak, Design Engineer at Team Shaheen, F1 in Schools

H.E. Pascal Grégoire, Ambassador of Belgium to Saudi Arabia, reaffirmed the embassy’s commitment to fostering international partnerships that promote gender equality and technological innovation. “Cross-border collaboration is essential for sustainable economic and technological growth,” he noted.

The MENA Awards are part of a global journey that spans seven regions: Latin America, Africa, Asia-Pacific, North America, MENA, Europe, and the Caucasus and Central Asia. Regional winners will advance to the Global Finals on November 14, 2024, at the French National Assembly in Paris, under the distinguished patronage of Emmanuel Macron, President of France.

About Women in Tech® Global

Women in Tech® is a leading global organization dedicated to empowering women and girls in the technology sector. Through innovation, inclusion, and advocacy, the organization fosters a more inclusive technological landscape. For more information or to get involved in upcoming events, visit the Women in Tech Hub.