Page 151 - FDF PR REPORT - APRIL 2025 (ENGLISH)

4/25/25, 11:06 AM Under the patronage of Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Abu Dhabi convenes ‘EmpowerHer’ Conference to accelerate women's eco…
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

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