17 faces of Emirati female leaders showcased at COP28

The COP28 is hosting the international photo exhibition “17 Faces of Action.” The exhibition showcases 17 Emirati women leaders who have made a difference in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is also a joint effort by the United Nations (UN) Office in Geneva, the Swiss Association for Women and Empowerment, the General Women’s Union (GWU), and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the UAE.

The exhibition, a joint effort by the UN Office in Geneva, the ASWE, the GWU, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the UAE, will run until Dec.10, 2023, showcases 17 portraits of prominent Emirati female leaders, representing inspiring stories supporting the Sustainable Development Goals.

Noura Al Suwaidi, Secretary-General of the GWU, said the exhibition's location at COP28 is a fitting tribute to the 17 women whose stories are being told at this global event.

The UAE is proud to host the exhibition, she added, thanking the UN Office in Geneva and the ASWE for their efforts to honour the contributions of women and promote their role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

She also pointed out that 17 exhibitions are set to be held in 17 countries, showcasing 17 women from each country who achieved remarkable successes in community development and the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. Afterwards, one major exhibition will be held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, combining the artworks showcased in the aforementioned exhibitions.

The international exhibition showcases a group of women who have made a positive difference for humanity, said Tatiana Valovaya, Director-General, UN Geneva.

The UAE is the first Arab country and the sixth international destination to host the exhibition, which was previously held in Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Portugal, Georgia, and Vietnam, she added, expressing her happiness at the opportunity to present the exhibition in the green zone of COP28.

The "17 Faces of Action” project consists in photographing in 17 countries, members of the United Nations, 17 women, whose contributions have had an impact on the development of society and in the achievement of the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) established by the United Nations in their respective countries.

Each of the 17 selected woman in each country chooses to express her views on one of the SDGs. The project was launched in 2022 and will be completed in 2024. For its final stage, the portraits taken in all 17 countries will be showcased to visitors as part of a general exhibition at the United Nations Office at Geneva.

WAM