UN Women Liaison Office For GCC Celebrates Women's Role In Global Diplomacy On International Day

The UN Women Liaison Office for the Gulf Cooperation Council celebrated the International Day of Women in Diplomacy on 24th June. This day highlights women's significant contributions to global diplomacy. The UAE's efforts to empower women in foreign policy, both regionally and globally, were praised by the office. The UAE played a crucial role in co-sponsoring the resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly during its 76th session.

The annual observance aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 5, which aims for gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls. It stresses the importance of equal participation of women in decision-making processes, including political and public life, which is vital for sustainable development and global prosperity. Dr. Mouza Al Shehhi, Director of the UN Women Liaison Office for the GCC, acknowledged H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak's leadership in advancing women's empowerment across various sectors.

Dr. Al Shehhi highlighted that Sheikha Fatima’s initiative to establish and host the office in the UAE was a strategic move to promote international collaboration. This step reinforced the UAE’s position as a global leader in women's advancement. "Thanks to the unwavering support of the UAE’s leadership, women have made remarkable strides, including in diplomacy," said Dr. Al Shehhi.

Official data shows that women make up 49.5% of the workforce at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with nearly 60% of graduates from the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy being women. Currently, 587 Emirati women serve in various capacities within the Ministry and its foreign missions, including 275 diplomats. These figures surpass many global benchmarks.

Eight Emirati women hold ambassadorial or permanent representative roles at regional and international organisations, showcasing their leadership abilities in a traditionally male-dominated field. "Our deepening partnership with the UAE stands as a testament to a shared commitment to women’s leadership in decision-making spaces — especially in diplomacy," Dr. Al Shehhi added.

Strategic Partnerships and Future Goals

The UAE's strategic partnership with UN Women for 2024–2027 was signed in March 2023. It focuses on legislative reform for gender equality, women's participation in peace processes, economic empowerment in Africa and Latin America, and increasing women's involvement in climate action. The agreement also includes promoting a Women-Centred Foreign Policy.

The UAE is a key partner globally in implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security. It actively supports women's inclusion in peacebuilding, defence, and security roles. This commitment reflects strong political will and institutional support for positioning Emirati women as key contributors to global diplomacy.

The UAE ranks seventh globally and first regionally on the UN Gender Equality Index, reflecting its dedication to gender parity. This progress stems from strong political will and institutional support that positions Emirati women as key contributors to the UAE’s global presence.

With inputs from WAM