Under the patronage of Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Abu Dhabi convenes ‘EmpowerHer' Conference to accelerate women's economic empowerment in Africa, Latin America

Al Etihad

24-04-2025

24 Apr 2025 21:20
ABU DHABI (WAM)Under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the Mother of the Nation, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union (GWU), President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF), UN Women, with the General Women's Union and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the UAE (MoFA), organised the "EmpowerHer" conference in Abu Dhabi.This event celebrated the launch of the "Accelerating Women's Economic Empowerment in Africa and Latin America" programme, convened by the pioneering strategic partnership of the UAE and UN Women.The conference was held yesterday at the General Women's Union and was attended by Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State; Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of State; Alia bint Abdullah Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship; Ahmed Jassim Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development; and Sheikha Dr. Moza bint Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Advisor at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This conference is the first in a series of annual conferences held within the framework of global cooperation led by the United Arab Emirates to support women in the economic field. The conference focused on enhancing employment opportunities, expanding entrepreneurship, and driving inclusive and sustainable economic growth for women, particularly in emerging markets, marks the first in a series of annual conferences led by the UAE aimed at supporting women's global economic empowerment. Conference themes focused on enhancing employment opportunities, expanding entrepreneurship, and driving inclusive and sustainable economic growth for women, particularly in emerging markets in Africa and Latin America countries.Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan emphasised that the objectives of this conference embody the vision of the UAE, a vision rooted in strengthening interconnectedness, expanding avenues of opportunity, and building bridges of dialogue and cooperation among nations, thereby fostering a renewed climate of inclusive growth and shared prosperity.He said, 'Under the visionary and ambitious leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, our country continues its steadfast commitment to advancing women's empowerment as a key driver of a more sustainable and prosperous future. Building on the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, H.H. reaffirms his dedication to supporting and expanding initiatives and programmes that open broader avenues for women's participation in economic, social, and political spheres. He firmly believes that continued collaboration and the strengthening of international partnerships are essential to fulfilling the aspirations of nations for development and prosperity.''I would like to extend my deepest gratitude and appreciation to Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the 'Mother of the Nation', whose sincere efforts and enduring contributions have empowered women and children in the UAE and beyond. Her Highness has been a true partner in the nation's journey of development, standing alongside the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Founding Father of the UAE, who firmly established women's empowerment as a fundamental pillar of societal progress since the very beginning,'' he concluded. Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State, said, 'This high-level international gathering embodies the spirit of global cooperation and partnership for the empowerment of women and the enhancement of their roles within their societies and economies. It is a source of great pride to celebrate the launch of the 'Accelerating Women's Economic Empowerment in Africa and Latin America' programme.'The convening of this conference under the patronage of the United Arab Emirates and the hosting by the General Women's Union sends a clear message to the world: that genuine women's empowerment is key to sustainable development, social peace, and economic prosperity and that achieving it requires collective collaboration and strong partnerships,'Al Kaabi concluded. Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), said, 'Empowering women is not a policy objective, it is a strategic economic imperative. At the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, we are embedding inclusion into the architecture of our economic model to accelerate diversification, unlock new sources of growth, and enhance long-term competitiveness. From AI to advanced manufacturing, we are positioning women as catalysts within our priority sectors, ensuring their participation drives both productivity and innovation.''Through strategic partnerships, particularly with the Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council under the Abu Dhabi Chamber and UN Women, we are advancing a globally relevant model of economic development, where inclusive growth directly fuels investor confidence, talent attraction, and sustainable prosperity. This is how we future-proof Abu Dhabi's economy and reinforce its standing as a forward-looking, global business hub,' Al Zaabi concluded.Noura Al Suwaidi, Secretary General of the General Women's Union, said, 'This conference reflects the UAE's steadfast commitment to supporting women's issues and empowering them globally, under the wise leadership and generous patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the Mother of the Nation, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union (GWU), President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF).'''This initiative embodies the nation's vision to promote fair and effective participation of women, especially on economic matters, as a fundamental pillar for achieving gender balance and accelerating sustainable development worldwide. We are proud the UAE serves as a global model for empowerment, so all women and girls have a role in building a more sustainable and innovative future.' Al Suwaidi concluded. The 'EmpowerHer' conference addressed four key themes in its sessions: first, the global, regional, and UAE-specific economic empowerment of women; second, gender-responsive procurement, which will focus on promoting purchasing practices that support gender equality; third, private sector initiatives and the UN Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs), along with the Unstereotype Alliance initiative; and fourthly, the role of women in a green economic transformation related to the environment.The conference also featured distinguished attendees, including leaders and decision-makers, entrepreneurs, private sector representatives, academic experts, and development organisations. This diverse attendance makes the conference a dynamic global platform for exchanging knowledge and experience, building strategic partnerships among various stakeholders, and exploring inclusive growth opportunities for women at both regional and international levels. The partnership between the UAE and UN Women is a global model for long-term cooperation between member nations and the United Nations, affirming the UAE's leading role in advancing the global agenda for women's economic empowerment, especially in emerging economies like Chile and Kenya.'The launch of the 'Accelerating Women's Economic Empowerment in Africa and Latin America' initiative marks a pivotal milestone in the strategic partnership between the UAE and UN Women. This partnership, which has been ongoing since 2010, reflects a shared commitment to integrating women's issues into the core of development and international policies, embodying an ambitious vision towards building more just and inclusive societies. This initiative underscores that women's economic empowerment is not just an ambition but an effective tool for achieving sustainable growth, inspiring innovation, and building a future where societies are based on justice and equity," said Dr. Moez Doraid, Regional Director for Arab States and Director of Division of Management and Administration at UN Women.Dr. Mouza Al Shehhi, Director of the UN Women Liaison Office for the GCC, said, 'The EmpowerHer conference represents a pivotal moment for this strategic partnership between UN Women and the UAE. The leadership of the UAE is the cornerstone in transforming policies and international goals into tangible impact on the ground, particularly in emerging economies in Africa and Latin America. The conference sessions will highlight important themes, including women's economic empowerment at regional and global levels, private sector initiatives, and women's roles in environmental issues. These dialogues are not just an exchange of experiences but a genuine call to collective action to expand the circle of impact and contributing to building a sustainable future for all women and girls everywhere.'The strategic cooperation between the UAE and UN Women is set to continue through a series of annual conferences, building on the outcomes of the "EmpowerHer" conference in Abu Dhabi, to deepen the dialogue on women's economic empowerment and expand its impact. Future conferences will be held in Chile and Kenya, continuing the discussions on key challenges and opportunities to enhance women's participation in the global economy, with a practical focus on regional contexts and local needs.Jemimah Njuki, Chief, Economic Empowerment, UN Women, said, 'The 'EmpowerHer' conference is a significant step toward advancing women's economic empowerment globally. By focusing on the specific challenges and opportunities in Africa and Latin America, we are creating pathways for women to access economic opportunities, build sustainable livelihoods, and contribute to a more inclusive global economy.'
This cooperation embodies a long-term commitment to integrating international efforts, accelerating action for women's economic empowerment, and achieving more just, sustainable, and inclusive global growth that places women at the heart of economic and social development.