B20 Saudi Arabia, in its role as the private sector’s voice to the G20, organized a virtual plenary session on a wide range of issues related to COVID-19. The virtual summit brought together leaders from civil society, business, and government organizations together in dialogue. Speakers included Yousef Al-Benyan, Chair of B20 Saudi Arabia; H.E Fahad Al Mubarak, Sherpa of G20 Saudi Arabia; Paul Polman, Chair of International Chamber of Commerce (ICC); Werner Baumann, CEO, Bayer; Nasser Al Nasser, Group CEO of STC and B20 Digitalization Taskforce Chair; Rania Nashar, CEO of Samba and B20 Women in Business Action Council Chair, among others.
The U.S.-Saudi Business Council, a member of the B20 Taskforce on Trade and Investment, was among the audience which also included top business and civil society leaders across G20 countries, including the B20 leadership, and health experts.
Topics of discussion included the global response to the pandemic, a new business reality and a course for revival, as well as women on the frontlines of the crisis. Yousef Al-Benyan highlighted that leaders and citizens are looking for ways to adapt to a new order from a business and health perspective. He stated, “At a time like this we must unleash our creativity and ability to innovate. Technology will be the key to restart our global economy.” H.E. Fahad Al Mubarak added, “The business community has a very important role to play both individually and collectively.”
Commenting on the way forward, Nasser Al-Nasser estimated that “post corona majority of organizations will implement remote working culture for 50-70 percent of its workforce…Access to digital infrastructure will be a collaboration between government and the private sector.”
Discussing the global healthcare system, Rania Nashar noted that 70 percent of workers in healthcare are women who are risking their lives in this pandemic. “We need to make sure women are engaged in all decision making processes.
Please join the U.S.-Saudi Business Council April 29th for our upcoming webinar, U.S.-Saudi Virtual Townhall Meeting: B20 Saudi Arabia initiative to address COVID-19. Registration can be found here.
