GTAZ hosts a Virtual Conversation with Her Royal Highness Ambassador Reema, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia
On Monday, June 14, Global Ties Arizona hosted an inspiring discussion with Her Royal Highness Ambassador Reema Bandar Al-Saud, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to the United States. The event was sponsored by Northern Arizona University, with welcome remarks provided by Kevin O’Shea, Vice President of International Trade for the Arizona Commerce Authority, and Christy Farley, Vice President of External Affairs at Northern Arizona University. The discussion was moderated by Kristin Allen, Executive Director of Global Ties Arizona.
In her opening remarks, the Ambassador discussed the importance of participating in these discussion events as they promote cultural exchange and understanding and break stereotypes and cultural misconceptions. She also mentioned the special relationship between Arizona and Saudi Arabia, highlighting the thousands of Saudi students who study at Arizona’s state universities and the Kingdom’s more recent investments in private industries like Lucid Motors.
During the Q and A session, the Ambassador shared information on the transformational advancement of women’s rights in Saudi Arabia, the investments Saudi Arabia is making in renewable energies, and Vision 2030 - the kingdom’s ambitious economic development plan to diversify Saudi Arabia’s economy, promote tourism, and develop public services. Given the similarities between the climate in Arizona and Saudi Arabia, she emphasized water as a potential area of collaboration between the Kingdom and Arizona’s public and private sectors.
She encouraged individuals interested in learning more or traveling to the Kingdom to reach out. At Global Ties Arizona we are looking forward to promoting cultural understanding by hosting more events on Saudi Arabia and facilitating collaboration between Arizonans and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Once again, a special thank you to Her Royal Highness Ambassador Reema for her virtual visit to Arizona, and we look forward to an occasion to host her in person in the near future.