Tomorrow, the “Emirati Women’s Forum 2026,” organised by the Dubai Women Foundation, will take place in conjunction with the UAE’s celebration of Emirati Women’s Day. This year’s theme, “We Show Our Strength and Excellence,” was announced by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the “Mother of the Emirates,” who is also the President of the General Women’s Union and the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood.
A Platform for Empowerment
The forum, now in its second edition, will be held in Madinat Jumeirah under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is the President of the UAE Gender Balance Council and the Dubai Women Foundation. The event will host an array of ministers, government officials, semi-government representatives, and private sector leaders as keynote speakers for discussions and workshops. It serves as the official main event in Dubai to celebrate Emirati Women’s Day.
Agenda Highlights
The agenda includes seven crucial discussion sessions and six workshops focusing on the contributions of Emirati women across various sectors. These sessions aim to showcase exemplary practices, institutional policies, and pioneering initiatives that highlight the essential role of women in the UAE’s development journey, reflecting the nation’s appreciation for their achievements both locally and globally.
Enduring Commitment to Women’s Empowerment
Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum affirmed that the Emirati Women’s Forum 2026 is a continuation of the UAE’s steadfast commitment to supporting women and enhancing their roles as vital partners in the development journey and future progress. She noted that the remarkable accomplishments of Emirati women serve as a springboard for broader ambitions, influence, and leadership.
“In the face of rapid global transformations, the importance of investing in women’s capabilities, knowledge, and skills continues to be paramount. This enhances their readiness to seize new opportunities in future sectors,” she remarked.
A Vision for the Future
The forum, now a second-year initiative, serves as a platform for dialogue and future foresight to cultivate ideas and visions that bolster the achievements of Emirati women. It aligns with the UAE’s aspirations to foster a more competitive, innovative, and sustainable society and economy, guaranteeing the ongoing impactful presence of Emirati women in the nation’s journey toward global leadership.
Collective Efforts Towards Sustainable Impact
According to Mona Ganem Al Merri, Chairperson of the Dubai Women Foundation, the forum translates this vision into reality with a comprehensive agenda bringing together leaders, decision-makers, and representatives from various sectors. This diversity promotes dialogue around priorities that enhance the impactful contributions of Emirati women to development, allowing for valuable exchanges that lay the groundwork for creating supportive work environments for female talents.
She emphasised the foundation’s commitment to ensuring the forum is a knowledge-exchange platform that builds partnerships, supporting national initiatives designed to provide quality opportunities for Emirati women, enabling them to achieve sustainable impacts across various fields.
Empowering Generations
Naima Ahli, Executive Director of the Dubai Women Foundation, stated, “Emirati women continue their empowerment journey, significantly steering their trajectory toward excellence and leadership in diverse sectors, including those shaping the future economy such as technology, artificial intelligence, space, and renewable energy.” She highlighted the significance of female leadership empowerment as a natural extension of the supportive measures in place to enhance women’s presence in leadership roles and policymaking.
The varied agenda of the forum reflects the foundation’s dedication to keeping pace with transformations in vital sectors and initiating practical discussions about the opportunities and skills needed for Emirati women to amplify their presence and influence in these domains. The event also facilitates an opportunity to learn from diverse experiences that can expand female participation in sustainable growth initiatives.
Noteworthy Sessions to Anticipate
As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Dubai Women Foundation, the focus shifts toward the future, with efforts to bolster existing gains and translate successful experiences into sustainable achievements aligned with the UAE’s visionary role for women in shaping the future.
Among the highlights will be a main session titled “We Show Our Strength and Excellence,” featuring Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi discussing her experiences as the first Emirati woman to hold a ministerial position, alongside her insights into the vast opportunities available for future generations.
Minister of Education, Sarah bint Yousef Al Amiri, will address the “Makers of Generations and Builders of the Future” session, focusing on education’s role in nurturing national capabilities and developing innovative leaders. In another key session, Mariam bint Ahmed Hamadi, Minister of State and Secretary-General of the Cabinet, will shed light on the national vision and policies that have empowered Emirati women across various sectors.
Engaging Discussions and Workshops
The forum will incorporate discussions such as “Emirati Women and the Future,” led by Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation, who will explore the impact of technology and AI on future work dynamics and skills associated with emerging sectors.
Further dialogue will take place in a panel featuring Rafeefa Al Abbar, Senior Vice President of HR Management at Dubai Islamic Bank, and Fatima Mohammad Al Jowkar, Senior Legal Consultant and Chairwoman of the Women’s Committee at Dubai Electricity and Water Authority. They will discuss the importance of supportive work environments in achieving sustainable impact.
In alignment with Dubai’s global standing as a premier destination for living and working, a session titled “Dubai: City of Ambition and Opportunities” will be led by Essam Kazem, Executive Director of Dubai’s Tourism and Commerce Marketing, to discuss the key factors that have established Dubai as a global role model for success.
Another interactive session will address “Cities of the Future and Quality of Life,” featuring Sana Al Ali, Director of Urban Planning and Quality of Life at Dubai Municipality, and Sheikha Al Sheikh, Director of Infrastructure and Urban Planning at the Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai, who will discuss global best practices for creating inclusive urban environments.
Adding depth to the forum, six specialised workshops will be held in collaboration with Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, Dubai Islamic Bank Academy, Dubai Media Academy, Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, and the New Economy Academy. These workshops will showcase the accomplishments and capabilities of women in key sectors such as sustainability, innovation, finance, media, negotiation, entrepreneurship, and arts and culture.
Partnerships for Progress
This year’s Emirati Women’s Forum will see partnerships with Dubai Electricity and Water Authority as a strategic partner, Dubai Culture and Arts Authority as a cultural partner, and prominent entities such as the Roads and Transport Authority, Dubai Municipality, and Dubai Islamic Bank as distinguished partners, along with Dubai Media Foundation as the media partner. The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre and Dubai Business Women Council will serve as supporting partners, with Hills Advertising as the advertising partner.
In conclusion, the Emirati Women’s Forum 2026 offers a rich platform for dialogue, networking, and empowerment, ensuring that Emirati women continue to play an influential role in the nation’s advancement.