UAE Showcases Gender Equality Efforts at UN Forum 2025

Photo: WAM

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) once again showed its strong commitment to women empowerment and gender equality at the 2025 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development, which took place in New York City. This global event brings together leaders from different countries to review progress on the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda, a global plan focused on ending poverty, protecting the planet, and ensuring peace and prosperity for all.

During this forum, the UAE delegation made it clear that women empowerment and gender equality are key elements of any nation’s progress. The UAE proudly shared its journey, experiences, and achievements in these areas, which serve as a model not just in the Arab world but globally.

UAE’s Model for Women Empowerment

The delegation explained how the UAE has built a unique and successful model for promoting gender equality and empowering women. This model is based on a comprehensive empowerment system that supports both women and families—the building blocks of any strong and sustainable society.

The UAE believes that families form the core of human, social, and economic development. When women are given the opportunity to grow, lead, and make decisions, the entire society benefits. That’s why the UAE puts a strong focus not only on women in leadership but also on motherhood and childhood, ensuring that growth is inclusive and lasting.

Key Laws and Policies That Empower Women

The UAE delegation highlighted important national policies and laws that have helped increase the number of women in leadership roles. Some of the key examples they mentioned include:

• The Equal Pay Law, which ensures that women and men are paid equally for the same work.

• The UAE Constitution, which guarantees equal rights and opportunities for both genders.

These laws are not just written on paper—they are actively practiced. As a result, women in the UAE are now making major contributions across various fields, from government and science to business and education.

Women in Leadership Roles

One of the UAE’s biggest achievements has been increasing women’s participation in decision-making positions. During the forum, the delegation shared several proud milestones:

• 50% of the members of the Federal National Council (FNC), the UAE’s legislative body, are women.

• 26% of UAE Cabinet members are women, meaning they play a major role in shaping national policies.

• 46% of all graduates in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) are women.

• 80% of the leadership team in the Emirates Mars Mission consists of women scientists and engineers.

These numbers show that the UAE is not just talking about equality—it is living it every day.

Global Support for Women Empowerment

The UAE is also working hard to promote gender equality beyond its borders. One key initiative is Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak’s Women in Peace and Security Initiative, which focuses on empowering women in conflict zones and involving them in peace-building efforts.

The delegation stated that the UAE is eager to share its knowledge and experience with the rest of the world. Their aim is to help other countries adopt similar strategies that promote equality and build a fairer society.

Roundtable Discussion: Innovation and Gender Equality

As part of its activities at the HLPF, the UAE National Secretariat on SDGs, along with the UAE Consulate General in New York, hosted a special roundtable discussion. The theme was:

"Accelerating Innovation in Promoting Gender Equality to Continue Achieving Sustainable Development in the Post-2030 Era."

This discussion focused on:

• Bridging the digital gender gap so women have equal access to technology.

• Transforming the care economy, where women often work unpaid or underpaid jobs like caregiving.

• Empowering women in leadership, especially in tech, science, and decision-making.

The roundtable featured expert speakers and leaders from different countries and industries who shared practical ideas and models to promote progress around SDG 5, which is the UN’s goal for achieving gender equality.

Important Voices at the Forum

Several influential people spoke during this roundtable and the forum. Here are some of them and what they represent:

• Savannah Mazhya, Minister of Information and Communications Technology in the Kingdom of Eswatini, and Chair of the Global Council for SDG 5.

• Abdulla Lootah, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Experience Exchange, and Chair of the National Committee on SDGs in the UAE.

• Dr. Manal Taryam, CEO and Board Member of Noor Dubai Foundation, which supports medical aid and development.

• Chelsea Molden, Executive Director of the Public Policy Lab.

• Stephanie Sirota, a representative from RTW Investments in Life Sciences.

• Andrew Billo, Head of Partnerships at the UN Initiative to End Violence Against Women and Girls.

These experts discussed new solutions to help countries and communities push gender equality forward—not just in 2030, but far beyond that year.

UAE’s Message to the World

Abdulla Lootah spoke on behalf of the UAE and shared a message filled with wisdom and vision. He said that for decades, the UAE has focused on sustainable development built around the family unit. The UAE sees community empowerment not just as a goal, but also as the foundation of its progress.

Lootah emphasized that the UAE’s approach to development is centered on people, especially women and families. This approach, he said, is ready to be shared with the world. Through their participation in the forum, UAE officials are offering lessons from their own journey to help other nations move forward.

Sharing the UAE’s Sustainable Development Journey

Apart from talking about gender equality, the UAE delegation also took part in a session hosted by the Government of Qatar. This session introduced the agenda for the second Global Summit for Social Development, scheduled to take place in Doha from November 4 to 6, 2025.

In this event, the UAE shared its story of creating the National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2017. This committee works across different government sectors to make sure all parts of society contribute to the country's progress.

The committee has helped align the UAE’s national strategies with the UN’s global development goals, especially in areas like health, education, environment, and gender equality.

A Country That Leads by Example

The UAE’s presence at the High-Level Political Forum was more than just a diplomatic visit. It was a chance to show the world how far the UAE has come in supporting women, building inclusive policies, and ensuring that progress benefits everyone.

By focusing on equal opportunities, smart policies, and innovation, the UAE is leading the way toward a future where gender equality is not just an ideal but a real and visible achievement. The country’s message is simple but powerful: when you empower women, you empower the entire society.