UAE Strengthens Commitment to Women's Empowerment at BRICS Ministerial Meeting
Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, emphasized the critical role of economic empowerment in driving sustainable growth and innovation.
Sheikha Manal highlighted the UAE's progressive approach to gender balance, stressing the importance of inclusive policies in areas such as equal pay, parental leave, and women's full participation in the workforce. She noted that the country is also at the forefront of promoting women in climate action and green innovation, with leading roles in sustainability, solar energy, and agriculture.
At the meeting, discussions revolved around empowering women through entrepreneurship, enhancing digital safety, and integrating gender equality into climate action. The UAE's strong track record in supporting women entrepreneurs was showcased, with 18% of Emirati entrepreneurs being women, many of whom are under 40. Additionally, the UAE's robust legal frameworks protect women in the digital space, combating online harassment and promoting safe, inclusive digital environments.
Her Excellency Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, further emphasized the UAE's leadership in climate action, pointing to the country's gender-inclusive approach at COP28 and its initiatives with UN Women.
The meeting, which brought together key leaders from Brazil and other BRICS nations, highlighted the shared global commitment to advancing women's rights. The UAE's participation underscores its ongoing role as a global leader in gender equality and empowerment across diverse sectors.
News Source: Dubai Media Office
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arabian Post
6 hours ago
- Arabian Post
US rate cuts open window for GCC bond market gains
Matein Khalid It is now all but certain that the Federal Reserve will cut the US overnight borrowing rate, currently 4.25 percent, by at least 25 basis points at its September 18 Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting. The labour market is losing momentum, while tariff-driven inflation has yet to show up in the Consumer Price Index. The Trump White House has ramped up pressure on Fed Chair Jerome Powell to deliver a fresh round of rate cuts. Treasury secretary Scott Bessent has publicly urged a 150-175 basis-point reduction in the Fed funds rate to jumpstart US growth. If the FOMC yields, the policy rate could sink to 2.5 percent by next summer. ADVERTISEMENT Such a move would sharply reduce the interest income earned by GCC family offices and corporates on three-month US dollar bank deposits, which now yield around 4 percent or less in the Gulf. Savers and investors in the region will therefore need to consider reallocating from cash holdings into bond and sukuk strategies within the GCC market. Credit risk, duration risk and interest rate risk are unavoidable when investing in the GCC bond market, which is predominantly denominated in US dollars. The kingdom of Bahrain sovereign bond has a coupon of 6.75 percent and a maturity date of August 20, 2029. Bahrain may be well into non-investment grade territory but, based on guarantees or attachment of specific cash flows, Fitch assigns this issue of Bahrain debt a BBB credit rating, which is investment grade. The four-year bond offers a yield to maturity of 5.65 percent. If the Fed funds rate drops to 2.5 percent in the next easing cycle, the yield to maturity on Bahrain's bonds may also decline, allowing investors to book capital gains. Investors in the UAE can also buy bonds and sukuk issued by prime Emirati banks which are majority-owned by the governments of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. For instance, First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) has a subordinated debt issue which offers a 6.32 percent coupon and a maturity date of April 04, 2034. This FAB bond is trading at 104 and provides a yield to maturity of 5 percent. FAB has the lowest funding cost in the UAE, with an S&P rating of AA-. Investors seeking Dubai bank exposure may look to Emirates NBD, the city's largest universal bank. Its perpetual bond carries a 6.25 percent coupon, is trading at 103, and has a next call date of August 25, 2030, translating into a yield to call of 5.65 percent. Suppose the Federal Reserve cuts its benchmark interest rate at every FOMC meeting after September, as Wall Street and the US Treasury secretary now expect. In that case, bond market yields will also fall, and the price of GCC sovereign and bank debt will rise. Regional investors should not wait for the Fed funds rate to bottom at 2.5 percent in the coming easing cycle. By then, GCC bond prices will likely have already risen sharply, as cash yields compress in response to the Fed's dovish pivot. While it is prudent for every investor to retain a cash cushion to cover unexpected emergencies, the Wall Street dictum that 'cash is trash' is most relevant when the Fed slashes its policy rate. Although bonds typically offer higher yields than bank deposits, investors remain exposed to risks. A downgrade in an issuer's credit rating or a rise in interest rates, driven by inflation or shock events such as a sudden war or oil price spike, as seen after Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait or Russia's invasion of Ukraine, can trigger losses. The biggest risk to intermediate-term bonds issued by GCC banks and governments is the supply glut in the oil market and a plunge in Brent crude below its current $66 spot price Also published on Medium. Notice an issue? Arabian Post strives to deliver the most accurate and reliable information to its readers. If you believe you have identified an error or inconsistency in this article, please don't hesitate to contact our editorial team at editor[at]thearabianpost[dot]com. We are committed to promptly addressing any concerns and ensuring the highest level of journalistic integrity.
Al Etihad
8 hours ago
- Al Etihad
UAE conducts 77th airdrop of aid over Gaza Strip
21 Aug 2025 20:04 GAZA (WAM)The United Arab Emirates is continuing its humanitarian support for the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip by carrying out today the 77th airdrop of aid under Birds of Goodness Operation, part of Operation Chivalrous Knight 3, in cooperation with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and with the participation of Germany, France, the Netherlands, Singapore and shipment included quantities of essential food supplies, prepared with the support of Emirati charitable institutions and organisations, to meet the needs of the population amid the dire humanitarian conditions in the Gaza the completion of this airdrop, the total aid delivered by air under the operation has surpassed 4,028 tonnes of food and other essential supplies, reaffirming the UAE's unwavering commitment to supporting the Palestinian people and strengthening their resilience. These initiatives highlight the UAE's pioneering role in international relief efforts, mobilising regional and international cooperation and reinforcing the nation's approach of giving to alleviate the suffering of those affected by crises.
Al Etihad
10 hours ago
- Al Etihad
Ethraa Career Fair attracts more than 1000 Emirati job seekers in its ninth edition
21 Aug 2025 18:00 DUBAI (WAM)The ninth edition of Ethraa Career Fair, organised by the Emirates Institute of Finance (EIF) in collaboration with the Central Bank of the UAE, the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (Nafis), the Emirati Human Resources Development Council - Dubai, the Higher Colleges of Technology, and Al-Futtaim Group, concluded in Dubai, drawing the participation of 61 federal and local government entities, banks, insurance firms, exchange houses, and financial fair witnessed strong engagement from national talent, attracting more than 1000 Emirati job provided them with direct employment opportunities through over 2,000 job interviews, in addition to skill-development workshops and a dedicated career guidance zone that recorded significant interaction from both male and female under the umbrella of 'Ethraa' initiative, the event supports the UAE's Emiratisation strategy in the financial, banking, and insurance sectors, aiming to create over 10,000 job opportunities for Emiratis by 2027. The initiative further seeks to empower young Emiratis to actively shape the future of vital economic sectors and contribute to the country's long-term development Governor for Financial Operations and Support Services at the Central Bank of the UAE, and Vice Chairman of the Board of the Emirates Institute of Finance, Saif Humaid Al Dhaheri, said, 'Ethraa Career Fair represents a strategic milestone within the national efforts to build a specialised Emirati human capital capable of keeping pace with the rapid transformations in the financial sector, particularly in light of the ongoing shift toward digitisation and innovation. At the Central Bank and the Emirates Institute of Finance, we remain committed to developing a comprehensive training and qualification framework that aligns with the needs of the next phase and enhances the readiness of national talent ultimately driving quality Emiratisation and reinforcing the UAE's position as a leading regional and global financial hub.'President & CEO of the Higher Colleges of Technology, Dr. Faisal Al Ayyan, said, 'Empowering Emirati youth to lead in key sectors like finance and banking is central to our mission. By participating in initiatives such as the Ethraa Career Fair, we reinforce our role in preparing future-ready graduates through applied learning and strategic industry collaboration. These efforts contribute directly to the UAE's Emiratisation goals and long-term economic vision.'The event witnessed the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between the Emirates Institute of Finance and both the Rochester Institute of Technology and Al-Futtaim MoUs come as part of the Emirates Institute of Finance's strategy to train national talent and implement Emiratisation plans in the country's financial also align with the objectives of the 'Ethraa' programme for Emiratisation in the financial sector, which is part of the Central Bank of the UAE's initiative to empower human resources in the financial Director at Al-Futtaim Real Estate and Head of Emiratisation at Al-Futtaim, Raghda Fatme, said, 'For over ninety years, Al-Futtaim has been committed to being a key partner in supporting Emiratisation efforts across its various business sectors. Our participation in the Ethraa Career Fair represents an important opportunity to engage with young Emirati talent, offering them opportunities, career guidance, and clear pathways for growth and success. Today, we invest in national talents with the aim of seeing them distinguished leaders in the future within our group or in other organisations, contributing to the UAE's global competitiveness and leadership. At Al-Futtaim, we take great pride in this long-standing commitment to nurturing local talent, empowering them with the skills and experiences needed to lead the future and further reinforce the UAE's position at the forefront.'President, RIT Dubai, Dr Yousef Al Assaf, said, 'Today's signing with the Emirates Institute of Finance (EIF) marks the start of a practical and forward-looking partnership. Together, we will use our combined expertise to strengthen an ecosystem that can adapt to and shape the finance sector's future. This is part of a wider network of collaborations that feed into our Future Foresight Centre, where we actively explore multiple future scenarios — whether they involve rapid technological advances, new regulatory landscapes, or evolving economic priorities — and develop strategies that turn these possibilities into opportunities for growth, innovation, and long-term stability.' The fair comes in line with national efforts to invest in youth potential and support their participation in shaping the future of key sectors that underpin the UAE's knowledge economy and sustainable development agenda.
