Climate Change, Sustainable Development, Security and Peace

On her International Day. New achievements for women in the UAE

International Women's Day, which falls on the eighth of March of each year, is a renewed occasion to celebrate women and their achievements around the world in various fields. In the UAE, every year sees more achievements of Emirati women, who actively participate in the country's ambitious leaps in various sectors.

After being a key partner in two of her country's biggest achievements, namely the arrival of the Hope Probe to Mars orbit and the successful and safe operation of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, the daughter of the UAE provided a unique model in relief for those affected by the devastating earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria, within the Emirati forces that participated in the relief of those in need from both countries. It is also preparing to participate in a new milestone, which is the UAE's hosting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) at the end of this year, where the Minister of Community Development, Shamma bint Suhail bin Faris Al Mazrouei, was appointed as a climate leader for youth, and Razan Al Mubarak, a climate leader for the conference.
Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (Mother of the Nation), stressed the UAE's keenness to support global efforts to confront the repercussions of climate change, and recognizes the importance of involving women as an active and influential party in the climate change work system globally, which was reflected in the UAE's strategic position, as the country has become a global platform to discuss and discuss climate change issues, and ways to work to achieve the energy transition, in a commensurate manner. With the world's climate updates.
Her Highness added: "As we prepare to host the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) this year, to push the climate action agenda forward and face the greatest challenge humanity has ever faced, the UAE is keen to involve women to contribute effectively to supporting national efforts to enhance environmental protection and reach sustainable solutions for the benefit of future generations. and its creative and inspiring energies in all sectors and fields."
In this context, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the General Women's Union and the UN Women Liaison Office in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) launched at the beginning of March the "Climate Change and Gender Equality" initiative, under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak. Exploring the available opportunities to support women's participation in the climate change action system, given that they are among the groups most affected by the negative effects of it, as well as their ability to promote climate action in several ways, and their possession of valuable experiences and skills to prepare for disasters and manage risks, which enables them to benefit from them when governments develop future plans to reduce the causes of this change and adapt to its repercussions.
H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation,
stressed that "women have become partners in our successes and a pillar for the sustainability of our national achievements in all fields," noting that the participation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in launching the "Climate Change and Gender Equality" initiative, along with the General Women's Union and the UN Women Liaison Office in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, comes from its belief in the important and pivotal role played by women in all fields, as they are one of the The pillars of the development vision that lead societies to prosperity and prosperity, especially in the field of combating climate change, which has become an existential challenge, and requires the concerted efforts of societies with all their components to take concrete measures and find appropriate solutions that contribute to overcoming challenges and seizing opportunities for future generations.
Sheikh Abdullah noted the UAE's firm commitment to achieving gender equality, enhancing the role of women in society, and their vital role in promoting climate action. The success of the country's aspirations in this important field, especially during the country's hosting of the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change next November at Expo City Dubai, pointing to the importance of involving women in the climate change work system globally. His Highness added that Emirati women play an active role in climate action, as the Minister of Climate Change and Environment, Mariam bint Mohammed Al Muhairi, follows up on the implementation of the country's plans and strategies in the fields of climate change, environment and food and water security, and the Minister of Community Development, Shamma bint Suhail bin Faris Al Mazrouei, a climate leader for youth, and Razan Al Mubarak, a climate leader in COP28, which confirms the leadership's confidence in women's contributions to efforts to contain the repercussions of climate change.
In
the field of peace and security, Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak directed in June 2021 the inauguration of the Fatima Bint Mubarak Center for Women, Peace and Security, emphasizing the role of the UAE and its tireless efforts in supporting the active participation of women in all sectors, especially the peace and security sectors. The launch of the center came as part of the initiative of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak for Women, Peace and Security, in cooperation between the General Women's Union and UN Women. On this occasion, Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak stressed the UAE's keenness to build national, regional and global capacities in the field of women, peace and security, contribute to creating an enabling environment for women, raise public awareness about gender and peacekeeping, as well as enhance the role of decision-makers in the Arab region and the international community to build their capacities in supporting women's participation in peacebuilding processes and activities.
In September 2020, the United Nations announced the launch of the "Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Initiative for the Empowerment of Women in Peace and Security", on the UN Women Training Program for Women to Work in the Military and Security and Peace Sectors, sponsored by the UAE government and hosted by Khawla Bint Al Azwar School in Abu Dhabi, and the total number of trainees within the initiative reached 497 trainees until last September, as the first batch of female trainees enrolled in the training program was received in January 2019, with the participation of 134 Arab women from seven countries, and after the great success of the first cycle of the program, it was agreed between the UAE and UN Women to expand participation to include countries from Africa and Asia, in an unprecedented way in the history of the United Nations. In January 2020, the second batch started with the participation of 223 women from 11 African and Arab countries.
The Minister of Community Development, Shamma bint Suhail bin Faris Al Mazrouei, has been appointed as a climate leader for youth at the global COP28. Razan Al Mubarak, a climate pioneer at the global conference hosted by the UAE, confirms the leadership's confidence in the contributions of Emirati women.
Emphasizing the importance of the role of women in building a society ready for the future, and in raising sustainable development issues, the UAE hosted last February in Abu Dhabi the "World Women's Summit 2023", under the title "The Role of Women Leaders in Building Peace, Social Inclusion and Making Prosperity", as it focused on topics that touch on the reality of women as partners of success and achievement, and the importance of peace in promoting a decent and safe life for women, who are the first victims of conflicts and conflicts in the world, as well as the need to achieve social integration The empowerment of women and girls is a key component of building the unity and cohesion of society, in addition to discussing the influential role of women in achieving prosperity and well-being.