Dubai: More than 2,000 delegates converge on Dubai on Tuesday for Women’s Forum Dubai, a two-day exploration of innovative ideas and practices to sustain and benefit women, society and the economy.

Held for the first time in the Middle East, Women’s Forum Dubai has also drawn 200 expert speakers from the worlds of business, government, academia, arts and culture — all under the theme ‘Let’s Innovate’.

The forum to be hosted at Madinat Jumeirah will include keynote speeches by Christine LeGarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Queen Rania of Jordan, Michelle Bachelet, President of Chile, as well as Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, President of the Republic of Mauritius.

Shaikh Abdulla Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, is also slated to speak.

The forum is delivering its message of innovation through five key pillars — achieving, creating, giving, energising, and sustaining to be fully explored through five main plenary sessions.

The gathering is co-organised by the Women’s Forum for the Economy and Society with partners Dubai Women Establishment.

Shaikha Manal Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, President of Dubai Women Establishment, said: “We in Dubai are honoured to host the largest gathering focused on encouraging women’s empowerment and advancement, and their participation in society, to be held in the MENA region.”

In Many ways, Shaikh Manal said the Global Women’s Forum Dubai is a groundbreaking event.” Aside from creating a platform to advance the global dialogue on women’s participation, diversity and gender balance, I see the Forum playing a role in supporting the closer integration of women into the region’s development process.”

Mona Al Merri, Chairperson of the Dubai Women Establishment, said: “Hosting the Forum in the UAE reflects the international community’s appreciation for the country’s efforts to advance the empowerment of women, which has enabled them to make strong contributions to national development.”

The Global Women’s Forum Dubai, she added, has created a space where thought leaders and trailblazers in the field of women’s advancement can share ideas in an empowering, connected and inspiring environment. “The Forum features a diverse range of topics that have been carefully selected to ensure a rich discussion on how women can contribute to the development of our societies. I am confident that the insights, ideas and experiences that the speakers bring will help ensure a highly successful Forum.”

According to DWE, the women labour participation rate in the UAE stands at 47 per cent, with the country being the first Arab nation to require a representation of women on boards of directors by law in the public and private sector.

Saleh also emphasised the need to discuss the changing perceptions and misleading stereotypes surrounding Arab women, and the improvement of the gender balance.

Exploring what innovation really means in today’s technology-focused era, the forum will aim to strengthen the influence of women globally, inspiring future generations to actively participate in nation building.

“There is a greater need for more women to participate in creative sectors, be corporate leaders, engage in conversations around innovation, and be a part of the discovery process that leads to breakthroughs and inventions,” said Huda Bu Humaid, senior vice-president of Group Marketing and Communication at Dubai Holding, during the press conference.

This year, the event will also host the Discovery Exhibition, which will feature a variety of hubs, including the Social Impact Hub by telecommunication company du, and the Energy Hub by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) — the main partners of the event.

Among the speakers at the Global Women’s Forum:

— Michelle Bachelet, President of Chile

— Queen Rania of Jordan

— Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

— Dr Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, President of Mauritius

— Christine Lagarde, managing director of the International Monetary Fund

— Shaikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of State for Tolerance

— Reem Ebrahim Al Hashemi, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation

— Emma Bonino, Former Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs

— Saeed Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO, Dewa

— Hessa Abdullah Ahmad Al Otaiba, Ambassador to Spain