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The Global Summit for Women 2023 has concluded in Abu Dhabi, after being hosted by the UAE on 21-22 February, under the patronage of HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, 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), and the “Mother of the Nation”, coinciding withthe 100th anniversary of women obtaining the right to vote in elections, with an exceptional presence of high-level women leaders from 100 countries around the world

The summit was launched under the theme “Role of Female Leaders in Peace Building, Social Integration, and Driving Prosperity”, as women leaders represent an element of paramount importance in supporting peace, integration and prosperity, especially in achieving gender balance and empowering women in our current era. In light of the current circumstances and challenges that the world is going through and the ongoinggeopolitical conflicts and economic recession, it has become imperative for women of different races, religions and cultures to unite in order to face the challenges and wisely enhance their contributions in building peace and contribute to achieving economic recovery and social integration. Women leaders have played an important role in a number of crises, and these contributions deserve to be celebrated and encouraged to be emulated for the sake of the renaissance and development of humanity.


Day 2 of the summit witnessed 9 dialogue sessions, with the participation of a number of prominent international women leaders, as well as political leaders, entrepreneurs, community workers, and prominent cultural, media and scientific figures from different parts of the world, to share their views, experiences and proposed solutions to create a better reality for humanity, in discussions hosted by the UAE, which, since the early years of its foundation, believed in women’s rights and followed the best international practices and standards in supporting and empowering them. Over the course of half a century, the UAE achieved an inspiring model for the leadership and excellence of women in all fields and sectors.


Session 1: Women‘s Leadership in Parliament and Diplomacy


     The session featured prominent female political leaders, stateswomen, and women decision-makers in international organizations, and national politics and discussed how can their examples, experiences, and insights inspire more women to participate in public life. The speakers shared the challenges facing women to be exemplars of leadership and get involved in national and international politics, and serve their communities and their nation positively, and to assume responsibilities with ethical and sustainable means.

The session was chaired by HE Naz Shah MP, Shadow Minister for Crime Reduction of the Government of the UK, and featured speaker;HE Amal T A Nashwan, Palestinian Minster of Women Affairs, HE Sabrein Hassan al Yammahi, Member of UAE Federal National Council, HE Siham Mint Muhammad YahyaNajim, Member of Mauritanian Parliament,and HE Oumar SY, Member of the National Assembly of Senegal, and Chairman of the Education, Youth, Sports and Leisure Committee.​

Session 2: Women Leadership in Media and Creative Industry

With the advent and widespread use of global media, images of women have been unfortunately portrayed negatively.  Why are women portrayed as such in the media? How should we respond to the media prototyping women? The session identified and challenge the stereotype of women in the media and shared success stories of how to correct negative images of women, in addition to discussing representation of women of different races, faiths, and cultures in the media and creative industry. The session hosted a group of elite media personalities to present some inspiring models.

The session was moderated by Ms. Mona El Shazly, Egyptian talk show host, with the speeches from Mr. Sanjoy Roy, Indian Entrepreneur of the Arts, Ms. Samar Al-Mogren, Saudi Journalist, Writer, and Novelist, Ms. Chantal Saliba AbiKhalil, Emirati News Anchor at Sky News Arabia, and Ms. Saba Zaman, British Broadcaster andMedia Consultant Transmit Media.

Session 3: Women in Fine Arts and Cultural Heritage

Humanity encourages highlighting beauty through fine arts and design. Women have made great contributions throughout history in various fields of fine arts and design. This session reviewed the role of fine arts in shaping public taste in different societies and its role in achieving social integration, building peace, and creating prosperity.

The session was moderated by Ms. Reem Ali Saleh Al Neyadi, Head of Cultural Festival Programmes - Department of Culture & Tourism, Abu Dhabi UAE, featuring speakers: Sheikha Alyazia bint Nahyan Al Nahyan, Extraordinary Ambassador for Culture for ALECSO, The Arab League, Ms. MounyaAllali, Universita del Piemonte Oriental, Italy, Ms. Deana Uppal, Film Producer & Director, UK, and Ms. Lilian Mbabazi, RenownedUgandan Musician.

Session 4: Women and the Power of Networking

Networking is very helpful in advancing public interest and personal development through sharing, mutual learning, and reciprocal cooperation. The soft power of institutions and the international reputation of the countries in current times depend on building and expanding networks to benefit more people and communities. The session investigated how women can build networks effectively and extensively, especially in women empowerment causes, and how the networking can address pressing issues of peace, social integration, and economic recovery.

Dr. Mouza Al Shehhi, Director of UN Women UAE Liaison Office for the GCC, delivered the keynote address of the session, with speeches from Hon. Saima Ashraf, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Community Leadership and Engagement, UK, Dr. Widade Naibi, Chairperson and Founder of ibn Battuta African Institute, Benin, Ms. Lina Jalouqa, Partnerships Manager, UNICEF Gulf Area Office, UAE, and Ms. Swati Thapa, Executive Director of Pratiman-Neema Memorial Foundation and Governing Board of Trustee of National Trust for Nature Conservation, Nepal.


Session 5: Women's Role in Promoting Circular Economy and Sustainability

The circular economy can be an innovative approach to international development and effective systems solutions to tackle global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution. This session discussed how women can play a leading role in the circular economy globally and locally such as eliminating waste and pollution, circulating products and materials, and re-generating nature. The best practice of sustaining the circular economy by women leaders, experts, and activists will be featured and discussed.

The keynote address was delivered by HEHessa bint Essa Buhumaid, Minister of State, UAE, with speeches from: H.E. AishathMuneeza, Former Deputy Minister of Finance and Treasury, Maldives. Ms. LoredanaSegreto, Director General of the Universita del Piemonte Oriental, Italy, Ms. Ma Hua, President of Beijing West Mahua Food & Beverage Co., Ltd. Beijing Woman Model, Beijing Labor Model, a former member of the Haidian Political Consultative Conference, China, and Ms. Alissar Abdel Kareem, TEDxspeaker and Youth Activist, Palestine.

Session 6: Gender Balancing During Transformations

This session called for a gender-balancing approach to social and political transformations to ensure women have fair access to opportunities, resources, and protections during these transformations. The session discussion provided an opportunity for Government representatives, international organizations, and other relevant stakeholders to discuss the adverse impacts on the effective enjoyment of the rights of women and girls and the promotion and protection of their rights through gender-responsive action.


The session was chaired by HE Dr. AfnanAlshuaiby, Executive Director of Women Development Organization. OIC, featuring speakers: H.E. I Gusti Ayu BintangDarmawati, Minister of Women Empowerment and Child Protection, Indonesia, H.E. Halima Alima Daud, Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Malawi, Dr. Shafeqa Saeed Abdo Saleh, Chairperson of the National Commission for Women, Yemen, and Dr.Edith Schlaffer, Social Scientist and The Founder of Women Without Borders, Vienna, Austria.

Session 7: Women Think-tankers and Policy Advisory

The session highlighted the role of women thought leaders who are directing and/or working in think tanks, in coming up with genuine ideas and strategies that help policymaking in their respective countries. In particular, the session evaluated how their ideas and advice have brought about positive changes in policies on sustainable development and climate change.

The session was moderated by Ms. Dubai Abulhoul, Founder and CEO, Fiker Institute, UAE, and featured the speeches from: Mr. Wunan Xiao, Executive Vice President, Asia Pacific Exchange & Cooperation Foundation, China, Ms. Alissa Wahid, board member, Nahdlatul Ulama, Indonesia, Dr. Konul Y. Bunyadzade, Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, Azerbaijan, and Professor. AftabKamal Pasha, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.

Session 8: Women's Leadership in Sports and Tourism
   
This session was an interactive session with prominent women athletes in sports and hears from their experiences and challenges. The session was moderated by Mr. Tyla Harrison-Hunt, Councilor for the Riccarton Ward of Christchurch, & Managing Director, Crossover Coach NZ Limited, New Zealand, with the participation of speeches from H.E. Lindiwe N Sisulu, Minister of Tourism, South Africa, Ms. Amna Al Qubaisi, Emirati Racing Driver, The First Middle Eastern Woman to Take Part in a Motorsport Test Program for Formula E. UAE, Ms. Zahra Lari, The first Emirati figure skater, and Ms. Naeema Ahmad Ramadan Reis, Player at National Women's soccer, South Africa, Physiotherapy Lecturer, Wits University, South Africa.


Session 9:  Women in Advanced Technologies & Megatrends of the World


This session explored the role of, and impact on women in major mega-trends of the world nowadays. The session also invited speakers to identify and evaluate how these mega-trends will enable or impede women's empowerment and leadership in overcoming the negative impact. The session was chaired by H.E. Tayba Al-Hashmi, CEO, ADNOC Sour Gas, UAE, and speeches from speakers: H.E. Man Chinda, Secretary of State, Ministry of women’s affairs, Cambodia, Hon. ThapeloAmad, Mayor of Johannesburg, South Africa, H.E. Fatimatu Abubakar, Deputy Minister for Information of the Republic of Ghana, and Dr.Olga Pavlova, Moscow State University of Psychology & Education, Russia.