March 2nd, 2023

(From chinareport.com, Correspondent Li Chuanjun) From February 21 to 22, 2023, the Global Women's Summit was successfully held in Abu Dhabi under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Wife of the UAE President, Chairwoman of General Women’s Union- United Arab Emirates (GWU), and Supreme Chairperson of the Family Development Foundation (FDF). Organized by The World Muslim Communities Council (TWMCC) and GWU, the summit commemorated the centenary of women’s suffrage.

Centered on the theme "Role of Female Leaders in Peace Building, Social Integration, and driving Prosperity," the summit featured opening addresses by H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak; H.E. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, the Chairman of the Supreme Organising Committee of the Summit; H.E. Indian President Droupadi Murmu; and H.E. Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Maja Gojković. Keynote speeches highlighted women’s pivotal role in advancing global peace, social cohesion, and sustainable development. Xiao Wunan, Executive Vice Chairman of the Asia-Pacific Exchange and Cooperation Foundation, led a delegation and addressed the assembly.

Approximately 250 female politicians, entrepreneurs, and scholars from over 100 countries participated, including

H.E. Hina Rabbani Khar, Minster of State for Foreign Affairs, Pakistan

H.E. Baroness Warsi, Minister of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, UK

H.E. Lenny Nurharyanti Rosalin, Deputy Minister for Gender Equality, Indonesia

H.E Naledi Mandisa Pandor, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, South Africa

H.E. Amel Belhaj Moussa, Minister of Family, Women, Childhood, and Senior Citizens, Tunis

H.E. Halima Alima Daud, Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Malawi

H.E. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, Former President of Mauritius

H.E. Nicole Ameline, Former French Minister and Chairperson of the  United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women

H.E. Naz Shah MP, Shadow Minister for Crime Reduction of Government of the United Kingdom

H.H. Sheikha Alyazia Bint Nahyan Al Nahyan, Ambassador Extraordinary of Arab Culture at the The Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization

Dr. Mouza Al Shehhi, Director of UN Women UAE Liaison Office for the GCC

Ms. Lina Jalouqa, PR Manager, UNICEF Gulf Area Office, UAE

Mr. Gita Gopinath, Chief Economist of the International Monetary Fund & former Director of IMF's Research Department, India

Ms. Julie Payette, Canadian engineer, scientist and former astronaut, and governor-general of Canada

Ms. Ibtihaj Muhammad, USA Olympic medalist, and sports ambassador for women., USA

Ms. Loredana Segreto, Director General of the Universita del Piemonte Oriental, Italy

Ms. Samar Al-Mogren, Journalist, Writer and Novelist. Saudi Arabia

They participated in multiple seminars on topics including

Women Leaders Driving Climate Action

Sustainability, Philanthropy, and Poverty Alleviation

Women Leadership in Parliament and Diplomacy

Women Leadership in Education and Science

Lifetime Achievers Among Women

Women in Fine Arts and Cultural Heritage

Women and the Power of Networking

Gender Balancing During Transformations

During the special seminar on "Women Think-tankers and Policy Advisory," Xiao Wunan delivered a keynote speech, introducing the achievements of Chinese women in social development, policy-making, education, and business since China's reform and opening-up. He emphasized that in the pursuit of women's rights, it is necessary to absorb the strengths of Western feminist movements while integrating with Chinese cultural traditions to form a path of women's rights protection with Chinese characteristics.

During discussions on women’s unique role in think tanks, Xiao Wunan noted that critical global issues—such as ecology, poverty alleviation, and peacekeeping—demand women’s innate sensitivity and multidimensional social/religious influence. He argued that empowering women in policy-making could naturally bring a balance of firmness and flexibility to policy formulation, which to some extent will have a constructive impact on the correct direction of human development.

He further linked the summit’s timing to Chinese metaphysics: "The year 2024 marks the onset of the Fire Phase of the Ninth Cycle (2024–2043), which amplifies women’s significance in governance and social progress. The timing of this summit is an interesting coincidence that resonated with Chinese cultural philosophy."

The summit included cultural activities showcasing Arab heritage, such as visits to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and exhibitions of traditional attire, art, and cuisine.

Executive Editor: Li Chuanjun