Sharjah unites diplomats in celebration of women’s empowerment

The event was held in the presence of Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah Al Qasimi,  Director-General of Rubu’ Qarn foundation for Creating Future Leaders and Innovators, Sheikha Hind Bint Majid Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Business Women Council; and H.E. Reem Bin Karam, Director General of Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council (ICCC); along with directors of Sharjah institutions.

Commenting on the event, Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi, Chairman of DGR, said: “Sharjah is committed to cultivating effective diplomatic relations to foster meaningful partnerships that advance shared objectives. The event exemplifies our dedication to strengthening collaboration with diplomatic missions, facilitating dialogue and engagement to drive impactful and sustainable initiatives.”

“We are proud of DGR's female cadre and their significant contributions to fostering relationships with female ambassadors and diplomats worldwide, as well as with female leaders in Sharjah. Their efforts play a crucial role in expanding opportunities for collaboration across a wide range of sectors, including charity, sports, women's empowerment, culture, education, environment, media, entrepreneurship, trade and industry, museums, and even family and child welfare, because we believe modern diplomacy is rooted in cultural and knowledge exchange, and this event provided a valuable platform to showcase Sharjah’s vision of empowering women and launching initiatives that enhance their role in sustainable and comprehensive development. It also bolsters our efforts to build an international network of relations, reinforcing the emirate’s status as a centre for global dialogue and cooperation,” he added.

For her part, H.E. Reem Bin Karam, Director General of Irthi, said: “We are pleased to partner in this event that welcomed ambassadors and diplomats at the Khor Kalba Centre. It provided an opportunity to highlight traditional crafts' crucial role in fostering cultural exchange and building communication bridges between nations. It also opened avenues for exploring global collaboration and partnerships that support the sustainability of crafts and empower female artisans on a wider scale. Through this event, Irthi reaffirms its commitment to presenting heritage crafts in innovative and sustainable ways that reflect the identity of Emirati women and their contributions to the global cultural landscape.

She added: “The participation of the ambassadors in workshops and discussion sessions offered a valuable opportunity to deepen our shared understanding of the role of culture and creativity as tools for human connection and sustainable development. This initiative reinforces Sharjah’s position as an international bridge for cultural dialogue.”

The event drew a distinguished group of diplomats and ambassadors to the UAE, including H.E. Sajeda Shawa, Head of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA); H.E. Tuula Yrjola, Ambassador of Finland; H.E. Natalia Al Mansour, Ambassador of Slovenia; and H.E. Marie Opombo, Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Other notable guests included H.E. Maria Camilleri Calleja, Ambassador of Malta; H.E. Dana Goldfinca, Ambassador of Latvia; H.E. Maria Belovas, Ambassador of Estonia; H.E. Alison Milton, Ambassador of Ireland; and H.E. Meropi Christofi, Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus.

Additionally, the Diplomatic Day welcomed H.E. Dr. Annalee Cecelia Babb, Ambassador of Barbados; H.E. Dieminatou Sangare, Ambassador of the Republic of Mali; and H.E. Valentina Bernasconi, Head of the International Committee of the Red Cross Mission in the UAE (ICRC).

Irthi workshop

During the event, Irthi hosted a workshop highlighting a range of traditional Emirati crafts infused with contemporary creativity. Participants had the opportunity to interact with skilled artisans and explore sustainable practices for adapting these crafts to meet global market demands. This initiative reflects Sharjah’s commitment to preserving its cultural heritage while elevating traditional crafts' relevance within the cultural and economic spheres.

Al Qurm Nature Reserve

The programme also included a field visit to the Al Qurm Nature Reserve in Kalba, where participants explored the unique mangrove ecosystem which serves a vital role in protecting coastal areas from erosion caused by waves, currents, and tides. The reserve is also a sanctuary for endangered species, including the rare Arabian-collared kingfisher and the green turtle, highlighting its importance in biodiversity conservation.

Networking

The event culminated in a networking session, fostering the exchange of successful experiences and best practices. It also explored potential collaborations between Sharjah's government entities and diplomatic missions in the UAE, facilitated by DGR.

The event featured prominent female leaders from various Sharjah institutions. Notable attendees included H.E. Halima Al Owais, Vice Chairperson of the Sharjah Consultative Council; H.E. Hana Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of the Environment & Protected Areas Authority in Sharjah; H.E. Alya Al Suwaidi, Director of the Sharjah Government Media Bureau; H.E. Mariam Al Hammadi, Director General of NAMA Women Advancement; Mariam Bin Al Shaikh, Director of the Sharjah Business Women Council and Fatima Khalifa Al Muqarrab, Director of International Relations at the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.  Also present were  H.E. Hanan Al Mahmoud, Vice Chairperson of Sharjah Women's Sports and H.E. Aisha Deemas, Director General of the Sharjah Museums Authority

The event further welcomed H.E. Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa); H.E. Hanadi Al Yafei, Director General of the Child Safety Department. Dr. Noura Al Teneiji, Director of Public Relations at the University of Al Dhaid and

 Marwa Al Aqroubi, Executive Director of the House of Wisdom added to the impressive roster.

Rounding out the esteemed list were H.E. Dr. Najwa Al Hosani, Chancellor of the University of Kalba; H.E. Alya Al Musaiebi, Director of The Big Heart Foundation, H.E. Lujan Mourad, Director of the Khalid Al Qasimi Humanitarian Foundation, and Mai bin Hadda Al Suwaidi, Head of partnerships and International Cooperation at the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry also graced the occasion with their presence.