Pearl Initiative, a non-profit organisation dedicated to strengthening corporate governance across the Gulf region, convened more than 150 senior figures, including over 30 chief executives, at its flagship Forum, “Governance in Focus: Powering Gulf Economies Through Integrity and Innovation”. The Forum provided a high-level platform for public and private sector representatives to examine the role of governance in accelerating economic diversification and enhancing regional competitiveness.

The gathering marked fifteen years of Pearl Initiative’s contribution to strengthening a culture of accountability, transparency, integrity and impact across the Gulf region. Participants explored how strong governance frameworks had accelerated economic diversification, supported enterprise growth and reinforced trust across regional markets while identifying priorities for the region’s next phase of transformation.

This year’s Forum was sponsored by Pearl Initiative’s longstanding corporate partners, with Saudi Arabia’s leading digital enabler - stc group as strategic partner, and Chalhoub Group, the leading luxury retailer in the region, as supporting partner, reflecting their continued support for governance initiatives in the Gulf region.

The success of Pearl Initiative’s programmes across the Gulf region rests on the unwavering support of its corporate partners. During the Forum, partners were celebrated and recognised for their crucial contributions in driving governance excellence, empowering ethical leadership, and sustaining the organisation’s mission for the long term.

Badr Jafar, Founder of Pearl Initiative, stated “Since its establishment in 2010, the Pearl Initiative has pioneered the conversation around corporate governance across the Gulf, inspiring a culture of ethical leadership that reinforces trust and delivers long term value. This high level forum, marking our 15 year milestone, was not only a moment to reflect on our progress but a reminder that strong corporate governance is the engine of competitiveness and innovation. By recommitting to transparency and accountability, regional economies can seize the unprecedented opportunities ahead – from technological change to generational wealth transition – and ensure that our shared prosperity endures for generations to come”.

The Forum included a powerful panel discussion with H.E. Ghassan Al-Sulaiman, Chairman of the National Family Business Center, exploring how robust governance frameworks can drive resilient, investment-ready enterprises. It also featured remarks from Eng. Khalid Al Hussan, CEO of Saudi Tadawul Group, who spoke on unlocking growth through public-private collaboration and Nabeel Al Mansour, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Saudi Aramco, highlighting governance as a key enabler for Vision 2030 economic transformation.

The conversation was further enriched by prominent leaders from across the Gulf region, including Hussein Hachem from SMSA Express; Basma Khashoggi from Khoshaim & Associates (K&A); Ibrahim Almojel from Khwarizmi Holding; Omar Abaalkhail from Ernst & Young MENA; Jassim Albuainain from the National Center for Privatization & PPP; Mauricio Zuazua from Kearney; Abdulla Elyas from Careem; Ingrid Hampe from the OECD; Sara Al Muhaidib from the Al Muhaidib Social Foundation; Khalid Abdulrahman Alrajhi from the Abdulrahman bin Sulaiman Alrajhi Charitable Foundation; Khalid Aldaham from the National Center for the Development of the Non-Profit Sector (NCNP); and Faisal Al Samannoudi from Abdul Latif Jameel Enterprises.

Mathad Alajmi, Chief Legal Risk Officer and General Counsel at stc group, commented: “As the leading digital enabler in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, strong governance underpins every step of our growth, enabling us to scale responsibly and deliver impact across markets. stc seeks to strengthen its leadership in governance by supporting best practices and initiatives like the Pearl Initiative. Through this forum, we enhance collaboration by bringing together public and private sector leaders and experts across the GCC to unify governance standards and drive sustainable growth across the region”.

The Forum united corporate enterprises, public and private sector leaders, with a strong presence from family businesses, to exchange insights and explore strategies for strengthening governance.

Patrick Chalhoub, Executive Chairman of Chalhoub Group, said: “Our long-standing collaboration with the Pearl Initiative reflects a shared belief that good governance and ethical leadership are essential foundations for any organisation. At Chalhoub Group, sustainability is not merely an addition to our business; it is central to how we think, operate, and grow. By embedding responsible practices across our People, Planet, and Partners, we aim to ensure that progress remains aligned with social and environmental responsibility. Working collectively with peers, partners, and institutions allows us to amplify this impact. That’s why we consider collaboration and shared commitment to sustainability as fundamental to fostering both resilient enterprises and thriving societies.”.

The discussions concluded with a shared recognition that robust governance remains central to the Gulf region’s economic ambitions, reinforcing the need for continued collaboration and forward-looking leadership.

Commenting on the success of the Forum, Ralph Choueiri, Executive Director of Pearl Initiative, said: “Over the past fifteen years, Pearl Initiative has worked closely with Corporate Partners across the region to advance practical governance solutions that drive impact. This year’s Forum strengthened that momentum by encouraging collective action and highlighting the role of governance in enabling future readiness for a next-gen Gulf economy. As the region continues its economic transformation, we look forward to deepening our programmes and building continued partnerships that support progress towards a resilient, innovation-led Gulf region economy.”

With the Forum’s outcomes clearly reaffirming the region’s commitment to governance excellence, Pearl Initiative will continue to champion collaborative approaches that enable organisations to build trust, deliver impact and contribute to the Gulf’s long-term economic vision.

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