Dubai – 18 September 2018

The Dubai Business Women Council held discussions with HE Yannick Glemarec, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director for Policy and Programme in UN Women, who headed a delegation consisting of 20 representatives of various cultural and economic sectors, during a meeting Yesterday at the headquarters of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry.  

The visiting delegation was received by HE Dr. Raja Al Gurg, President of the Dubai Business Women Council; HE Faiza Al Sayed, Vice-President of the Dubai Business Women Council; the Board members of the Dubai Business Women Council; and Dr. Nada Mourtada-Sabbah, the Secretary General of the University Leadership Council (ULC).

The two sides discussed methods of enhancing cooperation to empower women in the business community. They also focused on ways to instil a sense of entrepreneurship and innovation in women in order for them to excel in their chosen field of expertise.
HE Yannick Glemarec, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director for Policy and Programme in UN Women, praised the significant contributions and the achievements of Emirati women, which has made them role models for women empowerment in the region. He also praised the commitment and the determination of Emirati women towards achieving their goals, and congratulated them on the occasion of Emirati Women’s Day, while also wishing them continued success in their meaningful and significant contributions to the UAE society and continued advancement.

Glemarec pointed out that the council plays an important role in the mission to empower women in the region, and expressed his admiration for its achievements since its formation. He also expressed his readiness to exchange expertise and offer his support to the Council in order to empower women and enhance their role in the business community of the emirate.

HE Dr. Raja Al Gurg, President of the Dubai Business Women Council, pointed out that cooperation with such leading international bodies as the United Nations is in the interest of business women in Dubai, emphasizing that the Council is keen to enhance and expand its network of relationships, and to adopt the best international practices to support business women, and help them to grow and develop.

Al Gurg stated that the discussion with the UN Assistant Secretary-General helps to reaffirm the principles of the Council's work, which is to harness and develop the capabilities of the emirate's business women in order to enhance their competitiveness in Dubai's labour market.

The President of the Dubai Business Women Council remarked that the equal pay between the sexes in the UAE, as well as the local policies and legislation that ensures the protection of women's rights, and the strong belief in the essential role of women in the economic development of the country, are all in in line with the directives of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), and the United Nations Global Compact, which aim to encourage the private sector to focus on the key elements that support equality between the sexes at the workplace and in society.

Al Gurg added, “The various strategic tracks that HE ASG Dr. Glemarec heads, including technology and innovation, climate change, innovative financing and entrepreneurship of young women leaders, are all particularly germane themes to both the work of the Council and the strategic goals of the UAE.  ”
HE Dr. Raja Al Gurg affirmed that entrepreneurship and innovation are the pillars of the mission to empower women in Dubai, pointing out that women in the emirate have proven their capabilities by applying the best innovative practices in their work. She emphasized that the directives and the constant support of the wise leadership is the basis for the success of the mission to empower women in the UAE. 

Dr. Nada Mourtada-Sabbah, secretary General of the University Leadership Council expressed her pride at the close ties that link the ULC to the DBWC and thanked HE Dr. Raja AL Gurg for her unwavering support of the joint educational and capacity building endeavours of the University Leadership Council .