Emirates empowers the role of women in business

The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in the Kingdom of Spain organised at its headquarters in Madrid the conference entitled "Empowering women in the business sector". This event has come within the framework of the Embassy's activities to promote the efforts of the United Arab Emirates and its inspiring model in the empowerment of women and their role in sustainable development.

The event was attended by Margarita de Cos, Director of the Globe Women Foundation in Spain, as well as a prominent group of Spanish businesswomen, who highlighted the progress they have seen in the UAE in the empowerment of women in various fields, especially with regard to the facilities the country provides to pave the way for women to enable them to make their mark in the financial and business sector.

UAE Ambassador Omar Obaid al-Shamsi opened the event with a speech in which he highlighted the UAE's commitment to empowering and supporting women in all sectors: government, science, diplomacy, including the financial and business sectors. This is based on the vision of the UAE leadership that has always believed in the importance of women's empowerment as a fundamental element in developing a modern and unique society, thus presenting an exemplary model recognised globally by placing the UAE among the top 20 countries in the Gender Equality Index published by the United Nations Development Programme in 2020.

The ambassador stressed that the achievements in this field are thanks to the continuous support given to Emirati women by Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, president of the General Women's Union, president of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood and supreme president of the "Mother of the Nation" Family Development Foundation.

At the end of the event, several guests shared with the Emirati ambassador more details about their participation in the Women's World Summit 2023, which took place in May in Dubai under the theme "The Role of Women's Leadership in Building Peace, Social Inclusion and Prosperity".

Ambassador Omar Obaid al-Shamsi's full speech is reproduced below:

Emma Aparici, Director General of the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Spanish Prime Minister's Office, and Margarita de Cos, Director of the Globe Women Foundation in Spain and President of the International Planning Committee of the Women's World Summit, ladies and gentlemen:

First of all, on behalf of all my colleagues at the Embassy, allow me to extend to you my warmest welcome. At the same time, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation for the positive contribution you have made to promote friendly relations between our two countries and peoples. This meeting today is especially for all of you.

Dear all, 
I would like to express my sincere wish that your recent visit to my country has left you with many unforgettable memories.

In the UAE, the relentless pursuit of empowering women and girls has produced remarkable progress, opening doors of opportunity and paving the way for success. Witnessing the incredible achievements and contributions of women in many areas of our nation is inspiring.

In our beloved UAE, women are emerging as leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, and drivers of change. Their voices resonate in all spheres of society.  This trip attests to the visionary foresight and strong determination of our esteemed UAE leaders in creating an inclusive and enabling environment for all citizens.

As Ambassador of the UAE, I am pleased to work alongside the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who is part of a Cabinet in which nine exceptional women hold important ministries and projects.

One of the ministers is Her Excellency Shamma al-Mazrui. She has a very inspiring story for me personally, as the father of a young daughter.

Shamma was born in 1994 and at the age of 22 she was appointed Minister of State for Youth, making her the youngest minister in the world.

She is now our Minister of Community Development and our Young Climate Champion at COP28. This empowerment also extends to the rest of the government, for example:

• By law, our Federal National Council has 50% female representation.
• 42% of our diplomats are women, 11 of them ambassadors.
• 66% of our public sector employees are women.
• Women entrepreneurs lead projects worth more than 40 billion dirhams.

In addition, one of our biggest achievements, Dubai Expo 2020, was led by H.E. Reem al-Hashimi, Minister of State for International Cooperation, with 60% women on the team. Dubai Expo was also the first since the 19th century to have a women's pavilion.

None of this would be possible without Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, the Mother of the Nation, who has consistently championed this noble cause through the General Women's Union when our Founder, Sheikh Zayed, established it in 1975, almost 50 years ago.

Finally, let me once again extend my warmest welcome to each and every one of you, and I look forward to the opportunity to learn more about your experiences in the UAE.