For decades, the concept of dialogue in the region has been associated with politics, religion, or security. When we talk about “Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue,” it is often seen as a tool for bringing people closer and easing tensions. But there is another, no less important dimension—one that is perhaps most capable of transforming dialogue outcomes into tangible impact: Economic Dialogue, More importantly, this type of dialogue gains new momentum when led by female leaders who possess both a practical vision and a human touch.

Why Economic Dialogue Now?

The region, extending from the Gulf to Yemen and North Africa, is currently undergoing a period of profound transformations: giant development projects, economic reforms, and complex challenges such as climate change, food security, and fluctuating energy prices. All these issues require shared spaces for coordination and cooperation.

This is where economic dialogue plays its role as a platform that allows countries and communities – including pioneering women in the business sectors – to meet away from political disputes. Dialogue on trade, economy, technology, and tourism opens doors for practical partnerships that may have a deeper impact on stability than any political document.

Women as Pioneers in This Field

Women in the Gulf and Yemen are no longer just marginal participants in the economy. In Saudi Arabia, for example, the female labor force participation rate exceeded 35% in recent years, and many names have emerged in the tourism, FinTech, and modern retail sectors. In Yemen, despite the difficult circumstances, strong women's initiatives have appeared in the fields of food, education, and e-commerce, becoming models of determination and innovation.

The most important thing, however, is that women, by virtue of their leadership nature that tends towards building trust and long-term networks, are capable of transforming economic projects into sustainable dialogue platforms، When businesswomen from Riyadh or Abu Dhabi enter into partnerships with their counterparts in Aden, Sana'a, or Amman, this doesn't just reflect a commercial deal; it creates societal communication channels that enhance long-term stability.

From Competition to Cooperation

One of the entrenched challenges in the region is that the economy has sometimes been used as a tool for competition instead of integration. This is where the importance of female leadership emerges: women are more inclined to formulate cooperative partnerships based on mutual benefit, not domination.

Take an example: Saudi female-led startups in the food and beverage sector can link up with small female-run farms in Yemen to produce high-quality coffee or honey marketed in the Gulf and globally. This type of partnership transforms the economy into a space for cultural and commercial exchange simultaneously.

Technology: A New Sphere for Women's Dialogue

Digital technologies have given women a powerful tool to expand the scope of economic dialogue. E-commerce platforms and social media are no longer just marketing tools; they have become bridges for cross-border cooperation. Female entrepreneurs from the Gulf have begun offering online training to women in Yemen and Sudan on digital marketing skills, microfinance, and even environmental sustainability in projects.

These digital trainings are not merely a transfer of knowledge; they are renewed economic dialogues around which communities of trust and support are built.

Economic Dialogue as a Diplomatic Tool

When women lead the economic dialogue, it gains soft diplomatic credibility، While official negotiations between governments may falter, economic relations led by businesswomen can continue to connect communities. This soft power aligns with the region's vision for peace and development and opens spaces for joint action even amidst political tensions.

In fact, this model is consistent with the philosophy of "[The Oasis]":  empowering youth and new leaders to transform dialogue into actionable plans، Integrating women into this model adds an extra layer of depth, as women have the ability to combine the economic perspective with the social dimension, making the dialogue more comprehensive.

The Future: From Small Initiatives to Regional Networks

The challenge today is not proving women's ability to lead economic dialogue – they have already proven that – but in transforming individual initiatives into regional networks، We need platforms that bring together female entrepreneurs from Yemen, the Gulf, Iraq, and Lebanon, not just to exchange experiences, but to formulate joint projects that serve regional stability.

Imagine a women's network operating in the energy sector, where businesswomen from the Gulf contribute funding and technology, pioneers from Yemen offer their expertise in managing local resources, and women from Jordan and Egypt join in the field of education and training. This is not a distant ideal; it is a reality that can be built through initiatives like "[The Oasis]" that create the groundwork for this type of cooperation.

Conclusion

Economic dialogue is not a luxury; it is a strategic necessity in our region. When women are in a leadership position for this dialogue, the results extend beyond figures and indicators, reaching the construction of new regional trust.

Through entrepreneurship, female leaders can redirect the region's path from arenas of competition and conflict to spaces of cooperation and stability. This is the essence of economic dialogue led by women: it is not just a discussion about business, but a redefinition of the nature of the relationship between the region's peoples.