Saudi Deputy Minister of Labor: Political Leadership is Determined to Empower Women

Saudi Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Development Dr. Tamader bint Yousef Al-Rammah
Saudi Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Development Dr. Tamader bint Yousef Al-Rammah
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Saudi Deputy Minister of Labor: Political Leadership is Determined to Empower Women

Saudi Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Development Dr. Tamader bint Yousef Al-Rammah
Saudi Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Development Dr. Tamader bint Yousef Al-Rammah

Saudi Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Development Dr. Tamader bint Yousef Al-Rammah addressed thousands of women participating in the Sixty-Second Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW 62) in New York, stating that the political leadership in the Kingdom was convinced that women’s work “is a right and a necessity dictated by the conditions of life.”

She also pointed to Vision 2030 as a strategic goal that supports women’s economic empowerment and increase their participation in the labor market.

The Saudi minister delivered a speech highlighting the Kingdom’s achievements within Vision 2030, which she said was based on three main axes: a vital society, a prosperous economy and an ambitious homeland.

She noted that according to Vision 2030, “Saudi women are an important element of our strength.”

“We will continue to develop their talents, invest their energies and enable them to have the right opportunities to build their future and contribute to the development of our society and economy,” Al-Rammah stressed.

She also emphasized that Saudi women “have proved their competency and ability to perform their role in various fields, and participated in the membership of the Shura Council and municipal councils, and held senior positions in the government and the private sector.”

“The National Transformation Program 2020 has 36 strategic objectives that support the economic empowerment of women and increase their participation in the labor market,” Al-Rammah said, adding that the program “also focuses on empowering women through the social services system, in addition to encouraging voluntary work and supporting the growth of the non-profit sector.”

In this regard, the Saudi Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Abdullah bin Yehya Al-Muallimi told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Kingdom was now witnessing “a golden age of empowering women at the social, economic and political levels.”

He explained that bolstering women’s role in the society was not only limited to giving them the right to drive and to attend football matches, but also extends to economic and scientific empowerment.



Saudi Arabia, Egypt to Establish Framework for Joint Coordination Council

 Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi during a previous meeting. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi during a previous meeting. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, Egypt to Establish Framework for Joint Coordination Council

 Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi during a previous meeting. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi during a previous meeting. (SPA)

Riyadh and Cairo are setting up the framework for the Saudi-Egyptian Higher Coordination Council, Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said.

Experts told Asharq Al-Awsat the move strengthens political, economic, and development ties between the two nations.

In a televised statement on Thursday, Abdelatty said: “We are working on the council’s coordination structure,” highlighting the “strong strategic partnership and continuous cooperation” between Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi signed an agreement in Cairo in October to establish the council, which they will co-chair.

In November, Egypt approved the council, saying it aims to strengthen cooperation and communication between the two countries in various fields.

Saudi journalist Khaled Al-Majrashi called the council a step toward deeper Saudi-Egyptian integration, focusing on investment and trade under the guidance of both nations’ leaders.

“The council sets a framework for future collaboration, particularly in areas like investment and trade, under the directives of both nations’ leaderships,” Al-Majrashi said, citing earlier remarks by Saudi Commerce Minister Majid Al-Qasabi about his mandate to promote investment in Egypt.

Former Egyptian Deputy Foreign Minister Rakha Ahmed Hassan said the council will remove obstacles to cooperation and deepen ties across all sectors.

Egyptian Senator Dr. Abdel Monem Said described Saudi Arabia and Egypt as the region’s “balancing pillars,” saying stronger cooperation is crucial to tackle regional challenges. He called the council a key step toward stability and joint action.

“No Arab country can face regional instability alone,” he said, adding that the council will help protect both nations from threats and improve coordination on shared challenges.

In September, Abdelatty and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah said the council would deepen ties and boost cooperation in politics, trade, investment, and development.

Last month, Egypt’s government said the council will include officials from both sides, hold regular meetings in both countries, and replace the previous joint committee framework.