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HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of General Women's Union, President of Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of Family Development Foundation, Mother of Nation, inaugurated the activities of the "Global Summit of Women 2023".

The Summit is organised by The World Muslim Communities Council (TWMCC), in cooperation with the General Women's Union (GWU), and hosted by the United Arab Emirates on 21 and 22 February in Abu Dhabi.

The Summit will be held under the patronage of Her Highness under the theme 'Role of Female Leaders in Peace Building, Social Integration, and Driving Prosperity', in a historical event that adds more value and importance to this exceptional global event.

The Summit will witness the participation of a group of prominent women leaders in politics, religion, entrepreneurship, community work, cultural, artistic, media, and scientific figures.

The Summit commemorates the 100th anniversary of women obtaining the right to vote in elections. It comes at a time of increasing urgency to create a global dialogue space to express human solidarity, unite efforts to share views, exchange experiences, and propose solutions to common challenges, such as the gender gap, domestic violence, and social and economic marginalization. 

It also included addressing the intellectual and cultural obstacles that stand in the way of women's empowerment and identifying the opportunities and possibilities women have to lead society, qualifying them to play a key role in education and community development.

HH Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Executive Director of UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators, delivered the speech of HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of General Women's Union, President of Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of Family Development Foundation, Mother of Nation, during the opening session on behalf of Her Highness.

She welcomed everyone in the UAE, the homeland of humanity and coexistence that opens its arms to all people of different religions and accommodates them in a state of social integration.

Sheikha Shamma added that the Global Summit of Women comes at a historical moment when humanity needs someone to light candles to light the way, and here comes the role of women. She stressed that the Summit is an opportunity for all participants to share their experiences so that the future of humanity is better than its present and past.

Sheikha Shamma explained that there was a firm conviction of the Late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, from the first moment of the Establishment of the United Arab Emirates, in the role of women in society. She added that the wise leadership of the UAE has worked to educate and empower women in various fields and sectors until they represent more than half of the workforce in the country. Sheikha Shamma stressed that women's thoughts would contribute to presenting creative ideas that elevate humanity from poverty to prosperity and happiness.

On his part, HE Dr Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the World Muslim Communities Council (TWMCC), Chairman of Higher Committee of Global Summit of Women 2023, extended his sincere thanks and appreciation to HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, "Mother of Nation", for sponsoring the activities of the "World Women's Summit 2023". HE praised her efforts in empowering women and activating their essential role in the comprehensive development process in the UAE.

HE Dr Al-Nuaimi added that men are always mentioned in successes. In contrast, women are mentioned in failures, which is completely unacceptable, and in every human suffering, the most who pay the price are women, which is evident in wars.

The Chairman of the World Muslim Communities Council (TWMCC), Chairman of Higher Committee of Global Summit of Women 2023, stressed that investment must be made in women to achieve social integration and that the beginning of women's success is for women to believe in women and vote for them in elections.

Meanwhile, HE Droupadi Murmu, President of India, said during the opening session of the Global Summit of Women 2023 that the World Women's Summit reflects vision of HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak on women in UAE and world.

The President of India added that Emirati women represent UAE globally, occupy prominent positions, and have taken their country to Mars, which makes their country proud of her, stressing that UAE is one of the most preferred places in the world for women to live and work.

HE Murmu added that the Indian scriptures had stressed the need to respect women, stressing that Empowering women is the only way to ensure peace, social integration, and prosperity in the world.

On her part, HE Maja Gojković, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Culture, and President of Coordination Body for Gender Equality of Serbia, expressed her pride in participating in the Global Summit of Women 2023 on behalf of the President of the Republic of Serbia, HE Aleksandar Vucic. She congratulated UAE and HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak on organising the Summit.

HE Gojković stressed that the Summit is a valuable and unique opportunity for all participants in the Summit to meet in one place and exchange experiences related to the social impact of women on humanity. She noted that the world today has become aware of the role of women leaders, which is also reflected in world peace, community strengthening, integration, and the comprehensive prosperity of humanity.

On her part, HH Dr Sheikha Moza bint Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Adviser to Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, delivered a keynote speech during the "Women Leaders in Education and Scientific Research" session at the Summit.

Sheikha Dr Moza stressed that education is integral to women's empowerment and advancement. The Universal Document of Human Rights affirmed the right to women's education as one of the most important and inevitable ways to a decent life.

Sheikha Dr Moza added that women's education is one of the main elements in the march of the civilizational renaissance in the UAE. She stressed that development in its true sense is the advancement of society, and achieving this requires equality between men and women, which is proudly available in the UAE.

TWMCC is an international non-governmental organisation, which was established on 8 May 2018, in Abu Dhabi. It includes more than 900 Islamic organisations and institutions from 142 countries. It is a think tank for helping organisations and associations operating in Muslim communities, renewing their thinking, improving their performance, and coordinating its joint work.