VP opens Arab Women Leadership Forum

The UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, on Monday opened the third edition of the Arab Women Leadership Forum at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Dubai. The inaugural session of the two-day forum, organised by the Dubai Women Establishment (DWE), was chaired by Sheikha Manal Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, wife of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Chairwoman of the DWE. The events started with the playing of the UAE national anthem, which was followed by the screening of a documentary film depicting the pivotal role of women in the building of the nation. The film also highlighted the support provided by the country’s supreme leadership for the empowerment of women in the effort to make them prime partners in the nation’s comprehensive development and welfare. The Speaker of the Federal National Council (FNC), Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr, then addressed the forum, praising the relentless efforts of the country’s leadership to strengthen women’s role in all walks of life on an equal footing with men. Women in the UAE have held several key positions including those of ministers and the first deputy speaker of the country’s legislative assembly, he noted. The forum is one of the initiatives launched by the DWE to boost Emirati women’s efforts in development. It is being held this year under the theme, ‘Board of Directors leadership and the importance of diversity.’ Guiding beacon In her speech, which was delivered on her behalf by the Director of the Dubai Women Establishment, Muna Ghanem Al Marri, Sheikha Manal said that the presence of Sheikh Mohammed at the opening of the forum was inspiring and would motivate women to perceive their important role. The overall women’s movement in the country has its guiding light rekindled from his vision, she noted. “These active women’s institutions that you see today are the fruit that embodies the aspirations of Emirati women. They lay down clear objectives and sublime goals for women. Sheikh Mohammed wanted women to participate in the development process so that it will become more effective and institutionalised,” Sheikha Manal added. The event attracts top women leaders from throughout the region. For two days, they will discuss practical ideas on how to encourage women to play their role in the boards of directors of companies, which are usually dominated by men. Participants will also discuss positive governance practices in the Middle East. In a separate development, Sheikh Mohammed attended part of a seminar entitled ‘Excellent Leadership’ organised in Dubai by the Sheikh Khalifa Government Excellence Programme. The Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and the Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, also joined Sheikh Mohammed to listen to a lecture by the management expert and leadership coach, Professor David Olson Ulrich. Sheikh Mohammed then addressed the participants and stressed the important role of leadership in the formulation of a methodology of work to attain excellence and best practices in the efforts of the government to provide better services to the public in its quest to achieve Vision 2021. He stressed that the real leader is the one who makes leaders and trains others in the art of leadership. He employs effective leadership skills and is keen to promote a culture of excellence within his team in various fields. Sheikh Mohammed called on the executive leadership to continue to learn and understand the latest developments in the field of leadership, to exchange creative ideas with team members and to enhance their knowledge to develop a methodology of work. “We deeply believe that nothing is impossible and that each issue has a key for solution... He who makes achievements is the man in whom we invest, in the faith that he is a human wealth and national asset,” he said. He added, “Do you know how much I feel happy when I see my brothers and sisters, my fellow citizens, in every walk of life armed with expertise and adorning leadership positions? They employ all their skills in the service of the nation. So this is the real wealth and the essential foundation for building a prosperous future for our country and our people.” Sheikh Mohammed continued, “All the capabilities of the nation are to serve the citizens and we trust our children, as each hard worker has his share. We will spare no effort to support their quest to achieve their ambitions in the service of their country, and that is what we are trying to achieve through our efforts at human development.” Senior government officials, including the Under Secretaries of various ministries, directors of departments and over 400 federal employees attended the seminar, which was held at the Madinat Jumeirah Hotel.