The Legal Governance Conference for Boards of Directors, organized by the Arab East Colleges, represented by the College of Law, in partnership with the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce, concluded today, Wednesday, at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center, with the participation of a select group of academics and specialists in law, management, and governance.

The conference began with the Royal Anthem, followed by a speech from His Excellency the Chairman of the Riyadh Chamber, Eng. Abdullah bin Abdul Rahman Al-Obaikan, who welcomed the attendees and emphasized the importance of this scientific event in supporting the legal and regulatory framework for boards of directors in the Kingdom.

The conference then commenced with its first session, chaired by His Excellency Dr. Khalid bin Othman Al-Omair, Dean of the Arab East College of Law. The session, titled "Practical Aspects of Legal Governance for Boards of Directors," began with Dr. Al-Omair emphasizing that the conference serves as a scientific platform, bridging the academic and practical aspects of exchanging expertise on best practices in legal governance. He further noted that implementing governance is not merely an organizational choice, but a fundamental pillar for achieving integrity and enhancing public and investor confidence in national institutions.

Dr. Al-Omair added that the Arab East Colleges seek, through this event, to support the integration between education and practice, and to develop research programs and scientific initiatives that enhance the role of law in raising the efficiency of boards of directors, stressing that the success of governance begins with a commitment to accountability and transparency, and extends to include building a conscious and responsible institutional culture.

The first session, co-presented by His Excellency Mr. Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Quwaiz, Chairman of the Capital Market Authority, and His Excellency Engineer Abdullah bin Abdulrahman Al-Obaikan, Chairman of the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce, discussed the practical aspects of legal governance. It addressed the definition of governance and its importance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with a focus on how to implement it in emerging institutions. The speakers emphasized that promoting a culture of governance contributes to the sustainability of companies and enhances their operational efficiency, particularly in light of current economic transformations.

The second session, which included Dr. Fahd Al-Rifai, Dr. Khalid Al-Ruwaiss, Dr. Zaben Al-Zaben, Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Saleh, and Professor Dr. Nabil Al-Obaidi, addressed the practical aspects of legal governance for boards of directors in the three sectors: governmental, private, and non-profit. The speakers reviewed the most prominent regulatory frameworks and modern mechanisms for implementing governance principles, highlighting the role of transparency and disclosure in protecting the public interest and enhancing institutional trust. The session was chaired by Dr. Yasser Al-Suraihi.

At the conclusion of the conference, Dr. Khalid Al-Omair, Dean of the College of Law, on behalf of himself and the faculty of the Arab East Colleges, expressed his deepest gratitude and appreciation to the Chairman of the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce for their generous sponsorship of the conference and their ongoing support for scientific and professional initiatives that contribute to the development of the legal environment in the Kingdom. He also thanked the speakers and attendees for their valuable contributions and their role in the success of the event.

Al-Omair affirmed that the Arab East Colleges are committed to organizing more legal conferences and seminars that combine academic knowledge with practical application, striving to achieve sustainable development and enhance the role of legal education in serving society and the labor market.