The launch of the “International Summit of Women” in Abu Dhabi
Aya Hussein
This morning, under the generous patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation “Mother of the Emirates”, the International Summit of Women 2023, which is held under the title “The Role of Women Leaders in Building Peace, Social Inclusion, and Creating Prosperity”, and is organized for two days by the World Council of Muslim Communities, in cooperation with the General Women’s Union, at the St. Regis Saadiyat Hotel, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of A year has passed since women gained the right to vote and to be elected.
The summit activities began with the opening speech of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, which was delivered on her behalf by Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, CEO of the UAE Independent Accelerators Authority for Change
Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak said – in her speech -: “I welcome you all to the most beautiful welcome in the United Arab Emirates, the homeland of humanity and coexistence, which opens its arms to all people of different cultures, religions, and colors. Her Highness added: “Abu Dhabi will remain proud of holding the World Summit for Women 2023 under the slogan “The Role of Leadership.” women in building peace, social inclusion and creating prosperity”, this exceptional summit in its thought and content and in the presence of a group of leaders from different countries of the world. There is no doubt that your presence is a support and impetus for this summit because it is closely related to the empowerment of women and their significant contributions to the progress of countries, advancing issues of sustainable development and achieving international peace and security. The convening of this summit at a historical moment when humanity needs to get out of narrow corridors; Who walked on her knees after health pandemics, and social and economic crises that cast a shadow on various countries and societies.. Here and in these defining moments comes the role of women, the giver of life to humanity, who endures pain to preserve the continuity of the human race, so with every cry of pain a new hope emerges for life , a human spirit is born that comes so that human existence continues and flourishes.”
She emphasized: “We are in the United Arab Emirates, and from the first moment of its inception, there was a firm conviction among the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan,” May God rest his soul in the role of women in society, as he was my companion and my first teacher. I accompanied him on his great journey during which he accomplished in one generation what other nations have achieved in several generations, and what other diligent and persevering countries have achieved in a century has been achieved within fifty years.
Her Highness added: “The advancement of women and belief in their role, and work to empower them, were the most important priorities of the wise leadership in the Emirates led by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, “may God protect him,” and his brother, His Highness. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai “May God preserve him”, and their brothers, the members of the Supreme Council of the Union, the rulers of the Emirates, where they worked on women’s education, established schools and universities, and worked to empower women in various fields and sectors, and women in the Emirates now occupy more than half of the workforce in the government sector, and more than half in All levels of education, more than a third of the members of the Council of Ministers, and half of the members of the Federal National Council (Parliament), and in the Emirates women have become judges, astronauts, ambassadors, doctors, engineers, pilots, and decision-makers in the areas of security and peace. Her Highness: “The United Arab Emirates was and still is a pioneer in enacting laws and legislation that protect women’s rights, preserve their dignity, and strictly prevent any infringement of their status and freedom. The laws that preserve women’s rights were and still are the most comprehensive, strict and respectful, and they succeeded. Law enforcement institutions in creating a culture that protects and respects women, and preserves their absolute freedom to work, move, and enjoy life.” In order to combine originality and modernity, and what the societies that preceded us in the path of progress and sophistication presented, we are always keen to learn and benefit from the experiences of others, always looking for wisdom, distinguished practices, and successful experiences, so this summit came to provide an opportunity for all participants and participants from different parts of the world. Earth to exchange expertise, experiences and creative ideas that are capable of making the future of humanity better than its present and past.” Society, the arts of work and management, where I see leaders, experts, scholars, researchers, students and employees in front of me .. all of them represent all segments of society, and therefore we can say that in this summit we present a complete model for humanity with its multiplicity of backgrounds, multiplicity of fields of work, and its standards of living, we meet today to exchange expertise and experiences successful, creative ideas, and future visions capable of achieving security, peace, and social inclusion.”
She continued: “The main topics of this Global Summit of Women have been chosen with great care; Because they are the major issues that concern humanity at this historical moment, peacemaking has become a very difficult and complex process, and as soon as humanity reaches a moment when it feels that it has achieved a degree of peace and tranquility; Whether between countries, or within societies, until new crises and problems erupt that require strenuous efforts from us to return to the state of peace and security, which man needs in order to live in tranquility that enables him to produce and enjoy life.”
And Her Highness said : “As for the issue of social integration, it is the real challenge facing human societies in all regions and regions. With the spread of social media, societies have become vulnerable to the transmission of racism, sectarianism, social violence movements, protests, etc. Therefore, the world today needs new ideas; Work is done through it to strengthen the fabric of societies, and support networks of social relations in a way that achieves stability and happiness for humanity.” To more than 200 nationalities, as for achieving comprehensive development, it is the biggest challenge facing the countries of the world after the Corona pandemic, international crises, and natural disasters, and it is certain that the creative thinking of women will contribute an ample share in presenting creative and innovative ideas It contributes to protecting human societies from poverty, elevating them to stages of well-being and happiness, and achieving the legitimate dreams of every person for a decent life for himself and his family.” To contribute to his leadership towards peace and societal stability for all human beings, especially those most in need today who suffer from the effects of health pandemics, natural disasters and wars, and to achieve these great dreams in making peace, social integration and achieving comprehensive development, let me present before you the approach that the UAE has followed, which established by its founder The late Sheikh Zayed, “may God rest his soul in peace,” and his sons followed him after him, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, “may God protect him,” strengthened and established him, and he is based on elevating the human dimensions above all considerations, through humanitarian work and spreading tolerance. coexistence, achieving peace, reforming societies, and strengthening their bonds, as we cooperate with the near and far, and support everyone, for we have human beings who are brothers in humanity. And to express my wishes that the summit represents an opportunity to reflect on what our society and the world have reached, and to study the opportunities and challenges, for a bright future that can accommodate everyone without discrimination or exclusion.
