Fast Company Middle East and Middle East Communications Network have released a white paper emphasizing the critical role of diversity, equity and inclusion in driving creativity, business performance and sustainable economic growth in the Middle East. The report, based on recent survey data and regional case studies, reveals that a majority of respondents see DEI as directly linked to gross domestic product growth and long-term resilience, with notable improvements in workforce participation and retention rates when DEI is embedded in company strategy.

The paper introduces the concept of 'inclusion as infrastructure,' urging organizations to treat DEI as a foundational system rather than a short-term initiative. Leaders in the region highlight that DEI is not just a moral imperative, but a practical lever for achieving organizational and national economic goals. Despite these findings, the report notes that DEI is often regarded as a reputational add-on rather than a driver of business value.

Governments in the region are making strides, with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates implementing policies to boost female workforce participation and gender equality. The white paper aims to serve as a data-driven framework to help organizations reframe DEI as essential infrastructure for growth and to further evolve its integration in business practices.