Al Ain hosts the 21st edition of the forum "Emirati-Japanese Women Friendship Committee"

Al Ain, 28 November / WAM / The city of Al Ain hosted the activities of the 21st edition of the “Emirati-Japanese Women’s Friendship Committee” forum, under the directives of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (Mother of the Emirates), President of the General Women’s Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme President of the Family Development Foundation, under the slogan “Built to Last – Ten Years of Women Who Led Sustainable Communities.”

The forum brought together participants from various fields, including former members of the UAE-Japan Friendship Committee, to review their journey over the past decade and share their opinions on how the committee contributes to enhancing their leadership capabilities and supporting their professional development, especially in the energy sector.

The forum was attended by Her Excellency Dr. Maitha bint Salem Al Shamsi, Minister of State and Chairman of the UAE-Japan Women’s Friendship Committee, Her Excellency Ken Okaniwa, Japanese Ambassador to the UAE, Haruhiko Ando, CEO of the Japan Petroleum Cooperation Centre, Fatima Al Nuaimi, CEO of ADNOC Gas, Yasser Saeed Al Mazrouei, CEO of ADNOC’s Human Resources, Institutional and Commercial Support Department, and Taiba Al Hashemi, CEO of ADNOC Gas. ADNOC Offshore, Dr. Ahmed Al Abri, CEO of ADNOC Sour Gas, and Ali Khalifa Al Shamsi, CEO of Emirates Petroleum Company (Emarat) and former member of the committee, along with representatives of the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

In an opening speech, Her Excellency Dr. Maitha bint Salem Al Shamsi conveyed the greetings of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, and affirmed Her Highness’s support for the committee, and her praise of the contribution of these forums to consolidating bilateral relations between the UAE and Japan, enhancing the presence of women in the energy sector, and supporting their professional development process.

Her Excellency said: “Over the past decade, the ‘Emirati-Japanese Women’s Friendship Committee’ has contributed to empowering women leaders capable of keeping pace with the future, developing their skills and expanding their professional networks, connecting them with mentors who support their growth, and we have partnered with leading universities to inspire and encourage more female cadres to pursue academic studies in the fields of science, engineering and energy… In line with this year’s slogan, these initiatives continue to advance the wheel of progress and enhance the vital role of women in building sustainable societies.”

For his part, Haruhiko Ando said: “We are proud to be in Al Ain City, which embodies the UAE’s ancient heritage and future ambitions. The committee continues its efforts to highlight the ability of purposeful work to make a tangible positive impact, through its commitment to developing a leadership role for women in the energy sector that constitutes a role model for the sector.”

The forum highlighted the importance of diversity, inclusion, and cooperation between various sectors to address challenges in the energy sector.

For her part, Fatima Al Nuaimi said that this edition of the forum emphasizes the importance of developing women at all stages of their careers, and through our ongoing partnership with Japan, and new initiatives such as mentorship and skills-building programmes, ADNOC continues its firm commitment to supporting and qualifying women and providing them with the necessary tools and technologies to continue their leadership role in the energy sector.

More than 4,500 women from the UAE, Japan, and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries benefited from the activities and programs organized by the committee, which played an important role over the past decade in empowering women and supporting their participation in implementing the qualitative shift taking place in the energy sector.

This edition of the forum was held in the city of Al Ain, where the committee was first established. The participating Japanese delegation also had the opportunity to learn about Emirati culture up close through visits to Qasr Al Muwaiji, the city of Liwa, and a number of heritage landmarks, which helped them enhance their knowledge of the traditions and values ​​that formed the basic vision of the committee and its future aspirations.

It is worth noting that ADNOC and the Japan Petroleum Cooperation Center have been organizing versions of the “Emirati-Japan Women’s Friendship Committee Forum” in both the UAE and Japan since 2015, to highlight the importance of women’s participation in the energy sector and their important contribution to its development.

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