Led by Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, the UAE delegation highlighted the country's achievements in advancing women's leadership and integrating gender balance into sustainable development strategies.
Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, reaffirmed the UAE's commitment to promoting gender balance, which is central to the nation’s vision and aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 5. She emphasized the legacy of Sheikh Zayed and Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak in inspiring gender equality efforts.
During her address, Al Marri expressed gratitude to Russia for hosting the event and acknowledged South Africa for its leadership in initiating the women’s affairs platform. She outlined significant strides made in gender representation, including nine female ministers and over 50% representation of women in the Federal National Council.
Al Marri underscored the role of the UAE Gender Balance Council in driving reforms to enhance women's participation in governance, including legal mandates for on-site childcare, equal pay, and women's representation on boards. She announced new regulations requiring private companies to appoint at least one woman to their boards.
Emphasizing the importance of collaboration, Al Marri stated the UAE's commitment to knowledge exchange within BRICS to reduce the gender gap in leadership and promote women’s empowerment in the economic sphere.
Mouza Al Suwaidi, Secretary-General of the UAE Gender Balance Council, highlighted the need for sustained international cooperation to advance gender balance globally, ensuring it is embedded in all sectors for a sustainable future.
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