HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum to open Third Arab Women Leadership Forum

The forum, a flagship annual event, will take place from November 19th-20th and is organized by Dubai Women Establishment (DWE), which operates under the guidance of Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Women Establishment and wife of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, UAE.

Mona Al Marri, Chairperson DWE, said, "'Board Leadership & the Case for Diversity' as a theme for the Third Arab Women Leadership Forum has particular relevance to an issue that is increasingly gaining prominence in the Middle East. Moreover, this event is well-timed to support the UAE's agenda of ensuring the advancement of UAE women to complement the fast-paced development of the country. Especially that the UAE was ranked 1st among Arab countries for the 3rd year in a row (2010,2011,2012) according to the Gender GAP report published by World Economic Forum (WEF)."

The Third Arab Women Leadership Forum will focus on issues and opportunities surrounding the role of women in the boardroom under the theme 'Board Leadership & the Case for Diversity' and is organized in collaboration with the forum's strategic partners Emirates, Du, DMI and Hawkamah Institute.

This year's forum will be led by successful women leaders and regional experts representing a great diversity of experience. Topics of discussion include matters that have a bearing on the issue of a more gender equitable corporate culture, with speakers drawn from a wide variety of sectors and disciplines including economists, legislators, successful women leaders and experts in the field of corporate governance and gender-equitable board practices in the Middle East.

Keynote speakers at the forum are Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Women Establishment and will be delivered by Mona Al Marri, Chairperson of DWE's Board, His Excellency Mohammad Ahmed Mohd Al Murr, Speaker of the Federal National Council, UAE, and Her Highness Princess Ameerah Al-Taweel, Vice Chairperson of Al-Waleed bin Talal Foundation.

The Arab Women Leadership Forum is one of many initiatives established by Dubai Women Establishment for the benefit of women with the active participation of private and public sector organizations. It aims to ensure that Emirati women pursue an aggressive growth agenda that positively impacts the UAE economy, and that of the overall Gulf region.

The third edition of the Arab Women Leadership Forum is sponsored by Emirates Airlines, Du, Dubai Media Inc., Arab Radio Network, Women's Committee at Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing and Hawkamah - the Institute for Corporate Governance.