Gender Balance Forum

Gender Balance Forum takes place during the World Government Summit

The UAE Gender Balance Council opened the Gender Balance Forum on Day 1 of the World Government Summit 2023 in Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai. The Forum started with an insightful panel discussion titled ‘Government Action to Accelerate Gender Balance and Regional Growth: An International Organisation Perspective.’

The panel discussion launched with opening remarks by Her Excellency Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice President of the UAE Gender Balance Council. The panel featured Ferid Belhaj, Vice President, MENA, World Bank; Saadia Zahidi, Managing Director of World Economic Forum; and Haoliang Xu, Assistant Secretary-General, Assistant Administrator and Director of the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (RBPPS), UNDP. The discussion was moderated by Ruqayya AlBlooshi, Executive Director for International Relations & Government Knowledge Exchange, UAE Prime Minister’s Office.

The session reviewed the policies adopted by the UAE to create an inspiring regional model of gender balance, with unwavering support from its visionary leaders, who view it as a national priority that has been promoted for over 50 years. The pillars of this effort include supportive legislation and heightened awareness efforts, as well as a focus on the significance of gender balance and its positive impact on the political, economic, and social domains.

Her Excellency Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice President of the UAE Gender Balance Council

Panellists emphasised that the UAE’s progressive vision has positioned it at the forefront of gender balance globally and serves as an inspiration and model for other countries in the region. In recent years, there has been a noticeable advancement in gender balance in the region.

The session delved into strategies to improve gender balance in the region, including governance models and national plans. The discussion also explored how the factors contributing to the improvement of gender balance can be applied to address other crucial issues, such as climate change and technological advancements.

The UAE Gender Balance Council is committed to strengthening its global partnerships as a critical aspect of its strategy. It aims to establish the UAE’s leadership and influence in the realm of gender balance and to increase the representation of women in leadership and the economy.

Under the guidance of its wise leadership, the UAE places great importance on gender balance and women’s empowerment and is eager to share its inspiring achievements with the global community. The country’s commitment to supporting international efforts to achieve gender balance is a testament to its sustainable approach.

At the World Government Summit 2023, leaders and officials from the government and private sectors, as well as representatives of international organisations with expertise in gender policies, are participating in discussions about the current status and opportunities for progress in gender balance and women’s participation in government, both locally and globally. The Gender Balance Forum and the Women in Government Forum, also held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed, provide a platform for dialogue and collaboration to accelerate progress towards SDG 5.

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