International Conference on Women, Peace and Security to be held in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is set to host a high-level International Conference on Women, Peace and Security (ICWPS) from September 8 to 10. The conference is organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in partnership with the Ministry of Defence, the General Women’s Union (GWU), UN Women, the League of Arab States and the Abu Dhabi Ports Group.

The event will be held under the patronage of Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the GWU, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation.

The aim of the conference is to review the achievements and challenges relating to the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, which emphasises the importance of equal participation of women to maintain peace and security in conflict areas.

International Conference on Women, Peace, and Security to take place on September 8 in #AbuDhabi#WamNews https://t.co/R2j6Ekep1m pic.twitter.com/3qtF4TPTLh

— WAM English (@WAMNEWS_ENG) September 1, 2022

It  also seeks to achieve consensus on specific procedures to implement the UAE’s National Action Plan. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said that the UAE’s organisation of the ICWPS stems from its belief in the important role that women play in all fields.

He recognised the UAE’s firm commitment to achieving gender equality and enhancing the role of women in society. The conference will see the participation of international decision-makers, senior officials, diplomats and advocates concerned with women, peace and security issues in the Arab region and worldwide.

It will address ways to achieve the ambitious goals set by the United Nations to increase the participation of women in UN peacekeeping forces, such as increasing their percentage in units with military missions to approximately 15 per cent and in forces with police missions to 20 per cent by 2028.

Recently, the World Economic Forum has rated the UAE first in the Arab world, as the most gender-equal country, in its Gender Gap Report 2022.

Read: UAE ranked first among Arab countries in Gender Gap Report