New
UAE, Five Other Nations Launch Focal Points Network On Women, Peace And Security
The Focal Points Network on Women, Peace and Security was recently launched by Spain in partnership with the UAE and the governments of Canada, Chile, Japan, and Namibia to promote women’s leadership and participation in peace and security processes.
The launch was hosted by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Spain, Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo, at the United Nations.
Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemi, Minister of State for International Cooperation, delivered opening remarks reaffirming the UAE’s support for women’s leadership and their full participation in society, both in times of conflict and of peace.
"In the Emirates, our leadership has long recognised that when women are empowered, all of society benefits. This is why a core component of the UAE’s development model is to support the participation of women in senior leadership and decision-making positions. This is because we know all too well that when women serve as leaders in their communities, those very societies become more prosperous, more secure," she said.
Minister Garcia-Margallo praised the UAE for playing an effective role as a regional source of support for the agenda for women in peace and security.
At the launch, ministers from around the world announced that their governments would be joining the Focal Points Network, thereby confirming their dedication to implementing the women, peace and security agenda.
These ministers and high-level representatives hailed from 14 different countries including Argentina, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Finland, Ireland, Namibia, Norway, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, the UK, and the US. Egypt became the second Arab country to join the Network.
The African Union, the European Union, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) announced their strong support for the network and appointed Focal Points, as well.
During the session, the foreign minister of Spain praised the UAE as a regional champion of the women, peace and security agenda, and noted the UAE’s active involvement in this agenda at the United Nations.
Amna Al Muhairi, Director of the Human Rights Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and the UAE’s designated Focal Point for the network, participated in this event.
She engaged in a discussion with other Focal Points on how to best drive domestic implementation of the women, peace and security agenda. "The empowerment of women has always been a priority, thanks to the great efforts of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the Mother of the Nation, who continues to support the advancement of women everywhere. We look forward to sharing with the Network how the UAE has gone about removing the political, economic, and social barriers that have allowed women to advance to all levels of society."
The Focal Points Network is comprised of member states and regional organisations, who will appoint Focal Points to improve and strengthen implementation of the women, peace and security agenda by exchanging best practices and meeting annually in national capitals to discuss women’s leadership and participation, post-conflict recovery, and other topics.
The first meeting of the Network will be held in Spain in 2017, and will be followed by a meeting in 2018, to be hosted by Germany.
|
|
|
|
|
 FEATURES & ARTICLESVISIT OTHER EMIRATESInteresting Links ONLY webinars 4.0 Revolution International Humanitarian City Dubai Restaurants Guide Corporate Gifts Middle East News |
