Mai Al Khalifa is an influential international figure known for her work in the field of culture, art, and sustainable development. She was listed as one of the 50 most influential women in the Arab World by Forbes Magazine in 2005. Acknowledging the power of culture as a driver of sustainable development, Al Khalifa has spearheaded innovative projects to develop infrastructure to deliver on sustainable development goalss.

Her bold vision was transformed into reality when she launched the ‘Invest in Culture’ scheme in 2006. An overarching and unprecedented initiative in the MENA region, the programme cultivates active partnerships between the private and public sectors. To date, the initiative has secured a total of US$150 million in support of cultural tourism projects. In 2019, the Kingdom of Bahrain won the prestigious Aga Khan Architecture Award for the revitalisation of the historic town of Muharraq. The link between culture, tourism and sustainable development has always been grounded in her work and was recognised in her appointment as the UNWTO Special Ambassador of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development in 2017.

She is the recipient of many distinguished awards, not least the Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur, the Watch Award of the World Monuments Fund and the Colbert Prize for Creativity and Heritage. Mai Al Khalifa is also recognised as an outstanding leader of organisations within both the governmental and non-governmental sectors, having received the ‘Distinguished Arab Woman in the field of Administrative Leadership’ prize from the Center of Women’s Studies, Paris, in 2004 and the Arab League prize for Administrative Competence and Excellence.
Under her leadership, the Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities has significantly enhanced the preservation and establishment of sites that promote heritage tourism: three of these sites are now on the World Heritage List. Her most recent work has focused on the craft sector establishing creative local economies in line with sustainable development goals.