Dubai Women Establishment and UN Institute forge alliance to cultivate global female leaders

A strategic partnership between Dubai Women Establishment and UNITAR will develop targeted programmes to strengthen women's leadership capabilities and amplify their influence across international decision-making platforms.

The Dubai Women Establishment has entered into a formal partnership with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, establishing a framework through which both organisations will collaborate on advancing women’s professional development and expanding their representation in leadership roles at national and international levels.

The Memorandum of Understanding, signed at DWE’s headquarters, brings together the establishment’s deep understanding of Emirati women’s aspirations with UNITAR’s global expertise and network. Naeema Ahli, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Women Establishment, emphasised that the collaboration reflects a commitment to creating targeted programmes and initiatives that strengthen women’s leadership and professional skills, equipping them to thrive amid technological change and emerging opportunities.

The partnership operates under the vision of H.H. Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Women Establishment and the UAE Gender Balance Council, whose focus centres on investing in women’s talent and expanding opportunities for Emirati women to develop their capabilities and secure representation across sectors, particularly in leadership and decision-making roles.

Rabih El-Haddad, Director of the Division for Multilateral Diplomacy at UNITAR, noted that the agreement combines both organisations’ strengths to develop practical, forward-looking initiatives equipping women leaders with essential skills for navigating global change and contributing meaningfully to policymaking at national and international levels.

The collaboration encompasses several key areas. Both parties will work to identify training needs and design tailored programmes addressing them, developing and delivering executive education, leadership development and capacity-building initiatives. The partnership will facilitate networking and knowledge exchange among senior executives, women leaders, diplomats, UN officials, and representatives of international organisations.

Thematic focus areas include artificial intelligence, innovation, digital transformation and the future of leadership, alongside women’s career development, institutional influence and participation in global policymaking. The collaboration will also address executive presence, strategic and cross-cultural communication, strategic and global leadership, diplomacy, and negotiation, with emphasis on building international partnerships. This framework allows both parties to expand collaboration in future, ensuring the partnership’s sustainability and continuous development.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

This partnership elevates Abu Dhabi’s standing as a centre for women’s professional development and international engagement. By connecting Emirati women leaders with global expertise and networks, the collaboration strengthens the emirate’s capacity to develop home-grown talent equipped for senior roles in both public and private sectors, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a hub for excellence and innovation.

The initiative aligns with the UAE’s broader commitment to gender balance and women’s economic participation. Through targeted programmes in leadership, artificial intelligence, digital transformation and international diplomacy, the partnership creates pathways for Emirati women to shape policy, lead organisations and represent the UAE with confidence on the global stage.

Source: WAM