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The UAE Gender Balance Council has concluded its participation at the 61st session of the ‘Commission on the Status of Women’ (CSW61), which is taking place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York until March 24. The meeting has brought together 45 delegations from across the world, including representatives of UN Member States, UN entities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), focused on shaping global standards of gender equality and the empowerment of women.
The meetings explored new ways of strengthening cooperation towards achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 - ‘achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls’, of the seventeen SDGs, which was adopted by world leaders in 2015. Discussions have also included showcasing the UAE’s efforts and achievements in supporting and empowering women in political, economic and social fields.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
HE Mona Al Marri, Vice President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, met with Selim Jahan, Director of UNDP's Human Development Report Office (HDRO), to discuss His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai’s assigned mission to the UAE Gender Balance Council of establishing the UAE as one of the world’s top 25 countries in the UNDP’s “Gender Inequality Index” in support of SDG 5. The meeting was also attended by HE Shamsa Saleh, Secretary-General of the UAE Gender Balance Council and Milorad Kovacevic, the Chief Statistician of the Human Development Report Office.
HE Mona Al Marri stressed the Council’s commitment to extending the circle of discussion amongst various global entities, to promote the exchange of expertise and ideas for strengthening female participation, regionally and globally.
HE Mona Al Marri added that the UAE’s achievements in enhancing the role of women has created a positive impact in society, and the Council has a responsibility to continue promoting the participation of women in the region and achieving gender balance across all sectors. HE also highlighted that the UAE is striving to enhance cooperation with regional and global entities to increase women’s influence in the regional and international development process.
Selim Jahan applauded the UAE’s continued efforts in advancing women’s participation. This work is reflected by statistics which indicate the remarkable progress achieved in enhancing the presence of women in political, economic, educational and community roles. He also recognised the UAE’s efforts in establishing itself as one of the world’s top 25 countries in the UNDP’s “Gender Inequality Index”, noting the UNDP’s willingness to provide all possible forms of support to help the UAE achieve this important goal, in line with its strategic vision.
Increased Collaboration
HE Mona Al Marri, Vice President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, also met with Ms. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women, on the sidelines of CSW61. During the meeting, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka expressed her appreciation of the UAE leadership’s efforts to achieve gender equality, emphasising the achievements of the UAE Gender Balance Council, which recently hosted the United Nations Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel meeting on Women’s Economic Empowerment, in Dubai. The High-Level Panel meeting, which was held for the first time in the MENA region in February, was attended by a host of senior officials and representatives from international organisations such as the IMF and UN Women, in addition to business and government sectors worldwide.
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka also commended the UAE government’s continuous efforts to support female participation by creating an environment where women have the opportunity to prove themselves and their capabilities. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka added that the meeting highlighted the important collaboration and contribution of both parties, each sharing their unique experiences, ideas and constructive solutions to achieve SDG 5 and drive the dialogue on gender to the top of the global development agenda through continued discussions in future panels.
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