UAE pledges $15m contribution to advance empowerment of women and girls at UN

The UAE, a long-standing partner of UN Women, has reaffirmed its commitment to advance gender equality, the Women, Peace and Security agenda, as well as the empowerment of women and girls worldwide by committing an additional $15 million to UN Women over the next three years (2023-2025) through a pledge made on Thursday in New York.

Noura Al Kaabi, UAE Minister of State, announced the contribution in a meeting with Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women.

At the meeting — which was also attended by Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh, Permanent Representative of the UAE to the UN; Amierah AlHefeiti, Deputy Permanent Representative of the UAE to the UN; and Abdulla Al Harthi, Advisor to the UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs - Minister Al Kaabi highlighted that this partnership is key to not only advancing gender equality, but also other mutually shared priorities.

"We firmly believe that the full, equal and meaningful participation and inclusion of women across society is essential for achieving sustainable development and lasting peace,” stated Minister Al Kaabi. "This partnership will not only contribute to the Women, Peace and Security agenda - it will also advance the role of women and girls in climate action in the lead-up to and throughout COP28 in the UAE, as well as foster tolerance and peaceful co-existence, especially in light of yesterday’s historic resolution.”

The funding announcement comes on the heels of the adoption of a historic UN Security Council resolution, co-penned by the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom, on “Tolerance, Peace and Security.”

The resolution, unanimously adopted on June 14 during the UAE’s Security Council Presidency for the month of June, recognised that gender discrimination can contribute to conflict and violence, including sexual and gender-based violence. It also stressed that the full, equal and meaningful participation of women, gender equality and women’s economic empowerment are critical in the promotion of tolerance and peaceful coexistence as well as countering extremism.

Following the announcement, Executive Director Sima Bahous underscored that the UAE’s long-standing partnership with UN Women goes beyond financial support. "Over the years, the strong collaboration between the UAE and UN Women has resulted in a number of achievements, including the establishment of the Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak WPS Training Initiative and the UN Women GCC Liaison Office in Abu Dhabi.”

Ambassador Nusseibeh also highlighted the UAE’s close relationship with UN Women. "We are joining forces with UN Women across platforms, as co-chairs of the Informal Expert Group on Women Peace and Security, as well as a member of the UN Women Executive Board,” she stated. Ambassador Nusseibeh also affirmed the vital role that women play in confronting the climate crisis. She stressed the UAE’s willingness to collaborate further with UN Women on advancing climate action and technologies, particularly as the incoming host of COP28.

The UAE is currently serving on the UN Women Executive Board from 2023 to 2025. It previously served as member of the Board from 2013-2019 and as its President in 2017. To date, the UAE has provided more than $46 million in voluntary contributions, establishing itself as one of the top funders of the organisation globally and the leading contributor in the region.

WAM