UAE Gender Balance Council signs MoU with EXPO 2020 to shape the gender balance and women empowerment agenda during the upcoming global event

H.H Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed

·        EXPO 2020 is a milestone in the UAE’s journey of continuous development

·        The event coincides with the celebration of the UAE's Golden Jubilee and the beginning of a new era of exceptional achievements

·        Gender balance has been one of the UAE’s core principles since its establishment and is a key component of the ‘Towards the next 50’ strategy

H.E Reem Al Hashimy

·        We will work with the international community to promote gender balance worldwide by utilising history’s most comprehensive EXPO as a platform

·        The progress and success of Emirati women are key to enhancing the UAE’s global standing

H.E Mona Al Marri

·        EXPO 2020 will highlight the UAE’s approach to tolerance and its stable economic infrastructure

·        We will amplify the UAE’s success stories and share the country’s experience in gender equality and women’s empowerment during EXPO 2020

 The UAE Gender Balance Council and Dubai EXPO 2020 have committed to strengthening engagement on gender balance and women empowerment, with the signing of a significant memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation during the historic EXPO 2020 event. Through the MoU, the UAE Gender Balance Council will be able to use Dubai EXPO 2020, and the global spotlight it brings, to showcase the UAE’s outstanding achievements in gender balance.

Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, President of Dubai Women Establishment, and wife of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, said: “EXPO 2020 is a milestone in the UAE’s journey of continuous development, a journey that can be seen in our country’s record of pioneering projects and achievements across many important fields. With the participation of 191 countries creating a truly global platform, the event will also serve as a celebration of the UAE’s Golden Jubilee and the beginning of a new era of exceptional achievements for the next 50 years.”

Her Highness added: “The daily successes we are witnessing in social, economic, political and cultural spheres, signifies  the shared vision of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and our founding fathers. Together, they laid the foundation for a country guided by national identity, humanitarian values, ​​and sustainable development, where coexistence and harmony serve as the bedrock of society. Our leadership today continues their wisdom, including a commitment to the principles of gender balance and the advancement of women across diverse fields, and also recognises the important role women will play in bringing to life the ‘towards the next fifty’ strategy.”

The MoU between EXPO and the UAE Gender Balance Council was signed virtually by Her Excellency Reem Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, Director General of the EXPO 2020 Dubai Bureau, and Her Excellency Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice President of the UAE Gender Balance Council.

Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General, Expo 2020 Dubai, said: “This memorandum was made possible with the support of Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and the tireless efforts of the UAE Gender Balance Council. The progress and success of Emirati women are key to enhancing the UAE’s global standing, and are the result of the foundations laid by our founding fathers that continue to be implemented by our wise leadership.”

Her Excellency added: “EXPO 2020 will be a global gathering during the UAE’s Golden Jubilee when we celebrate the achievements of our nation and look forward to the next fifty years. We will share our vision with the world and showcase the strength of cooperation through our country’s achievements over the past five decades. We will work with participating countries, organisations and the international community to shed light on our achievements and future goals in promoting gender balance worldwide, utilising history’s most comprehensive EXPO as a platform.”

Her Excellency Mona Al Marri emphasised how EXPO 2020 Dubai will highlight the tolerance of the UAE and its approach to coexistence between cultures and religions, and how its economy creates opportunities for all people and attracts investors, creators, and talented people from all over the world.

Her Excellency Mona Al Marri thanked Her Excellency Reem Ebrahim Al Hashimy and the EXPO 2020 team for their efforts and commitment to bringing the event to fruition. Her Excellency said EXPO 2020 will create meaningful impact through its cultural, artistic and social initiatives and programmes. The event will also play a key role in stimulating the global economy and facilitating new connections across borders.

Her Excellency added that the UAE Gender Balance Council will amplify the UAE’s success stories and share the country’s experience in gender balance and women empowerment during EXPO 2020. The UAE is a regional and global model in gender legislation, as reflected by the country’s rankings in global indices and testimonies from international organisations. These achievements are driven by the Council’s hard work and commitment since its establishment in 2015 and under the guidance of Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum; efforts which serve to achieve the country’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030.

Her Excellency concluded by saying that EXPO 2020 Dubai will present an ideal platform to promote knowledge sharing with international organisations and countries working to advance gender equality. The UAE Gender Balance Council will host an array of activities, sessions, and meaningful discussions throughout EXPO 2020.