The event unofficially kicked-off today with a pre-programme of activities organised for an official delegation of business and government leaders from Scandinavia and the Global Women’s Forum Dubai Rising Talents – seven talented women who have demonstrated remarkable skills and courage in their professional and personal lives, and will be participating in a variety of activities and sessions during Global Women’s Forum Dubai. As part of the pre-programme of activities, the Rising Talents engaged in an orientation workshop in Mina A’Salam Hotel, Dubai.
Each year the Women’s Forum Global Meeting in Deauville, France, welcomes a Special Delegation of remarkable women from a specific country or region. At Global Women’s Forum Dubai, participants will have the opportunity to meet and engage with members of the Scandinavian Delegation – thought-leaders from business, politics, sciences, social entrepreneurship, academia, the arts, media and philanthropy – while gaining perspective on what makes the five Scandinavian countries stand out as global role models for removing gender-based disparities. The delegation is being led by Mette Laursen, CEO and Founder of LinKS, a leading educational network for top influencers in the Nordics.
The pre-programme activities for the Scandinavian delegation included a private meeting with Huda Al Hashimi, Executive Director of the Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Government Innovation on the UAE government strategy, followed by a lunch reception at Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s (DEWA) headquarters to learn about DEWA's efforts to drive innovation and creativity in energy and water, and an official visit to The UAE Women's Museum. The pre-programme activities closed with a dinner reception for the Scandinavian delegation and Rising Talents participants, hosted by FGB.
Her Highness Sheikha Manal Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, said: “We in Dubai are honoured to host the largest gathering focused on encouraging women’s empowerment and advancement, and their participation in society, to be held in the MENA region. In many ways, the Global Women’s Forum Dubai is a groundbreaking event. Aside from creating a platform to advance the global dialogue on women’s participation, diversity and gender balance, I see the Forum playing a role in supporting the closer integration of women into the region’s development process. In particular, this Forum will help achieve this by introducing pioneering Arab women to a global audience. By raising the profile of their work and their contributions, this Forum will significantly help in breaking down stereotypes of women in the region.”
Her Highness continued: “Over the next two days, leading thinkers and world-renowned speakers from businesses, governments and civil society across the world, and all generations, will initiate a global exchange of ideas on a wide range of issues related to gender diversity, female engagement and women’s contribution to societies. I am confident these interactions will bring many breakthrough ideas and practical solutions to pressing issues to light. I also believe these discussions will have a far-reaching impact, inspiring and empowering future generations of women to make more positive contributions to social and economic development.”
Global Women’s Forum Dubai will feature keynote speeches by Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, wife of His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein of Jordan, Her Excellency Dr. Amal Al Qubaisi, President of the Federal National Council, and HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Global Women’s Forum Dubai will also feature the Hon. Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund; HE Michelle Bachelet, President of the Republic of Chile; HE Dr. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, President of the Republic of Mauritius; HE Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, UAE Minister of State for Tolerance; HE Reem Ibrahim Al Hashimi, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation; HE Emma Bonino, former Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Margrethe Vestager, EU Commissioner for Competition, and cardiac surgeon, Dr. Oz, as well as prominent figures from the public and private sector around the world.
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