The Emirates Council for Gender Balance reviews federal efforts to establish the principles of diversity and inclusion in the work environment and enhance the country’s global competitiveness

In its second meeting of 2025, which was held at the headquarters of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, the Emirates Council for Gender Balance reviewed the efforts and initiatives of the ministries and federal entities that are members of the Council to establish gender balance in all sectors of the country and enhance its global standing, in order to achieve the vision and directives of the wise leadership.

The meeting was held in its new formation in light of the recently approved Cabinet decision, and discussed the most prominent developments in the projects that the Council intends to implement during the coming period in cooperation and coordination with all state agencies.

Strategy files

The wife of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the State, Deputy Prime Minister, Chief of the Presidential Cabinet, Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the Emirates Council for Gender Balance, affirmed that achieving further progress and achievements in gender balance at the national level is a shared responsibility for all relevant government agencies and the private sector, noting the importance of unifying visions and coordinating efforts to support the process of Sustainable progress.

Her Highness said: “We renew our firm commitment to accelerating the pace of progress in this vital file through forward-looking policies and influential strategic initiatives that transform our ambitions into tangible results to enhance the leading position of the UAE.”

Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice President of the Emirates Council for Gender Balance, stated that the strategic files that were reviewed during the meeting by the ministries and federal entities that are members of the Council are a role model for government integration and effective partnerships to achieve national goals that embody the vision and directives of our wise leadership for the UAE to be the best country in the world in various fields, as these innovative efforts and initiatives reflect all of their keenness to Integrating gender balance into its work policies and mechanisms in order to consolidate an environment that is sensitive to diversity and inclusion.

She added that these efforts would enhance women’s economic participation, establish the principle of equal opportunities, and emphasize the UAE’s commitment to sustainable development goals that contribute to achieving prosperous and sustainable societies in which everyone participates equally and effectively, stressing the keenness of the Council, headed by Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to strengthen its regional and international partnerships to achieve tangible and sustainable results.

Coordinate efforts

During the meeting, the Council reviewed a group of national initiatives to establish balance in society, the labor market and various economic sectors. The presentations presented addressed the efforts of various ministries and agencies to integrate the principles of balance into national policies. The Ministry of Economy and Tourism gave a presentation on the growing role of women in economic activities in the country, while the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation reviewed its initiatives to promote a work environment supportive of equality and flexibility.

The Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood also reviewed its achievements in the field of empowering mothers and protecting children’s rights.

Moza Mohammed Al Ghuwais Al Suwaidi, Secretary-General of the Emirates Council for Gender Balance, said that what was included in the interventions of the various ministries and government agencies confirms everyone’s keenness to achieve more achievements in the gender balance file, which will advance our ambitious journey to bring about radical change. She added, “At the Emirates Gender Balance Council, we will continue to intensify our efforts to expand the horizons of equal opportunities in accordance with international best practices, which contributes to enhancing the nation’s success story and consolidating gender balance as a basic pillar of sustainable growth.”