Egypt's Minister of International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat traveled to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) to represent her country in the second edition of the Global Women's Forum Dubai 2020 (GWFD), organised by Dubai Women Establishment, from 17 to 18 February under the theme "The Power of Influence," according to a ministerial statement on Sunday. The forum, which is organised under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, will witness the participation of representatives from 87 countries. International businesswomen and women leaders are expected to participate in the event including Ivanka Trump, advisor to the President of the United States of America; Kristalina Georgieva, the International Monetary Fund's managing director; and Former UK Prime Minister Theresa May. Al-Mashat will participate in a plenary discussion entitled "Empowering Women Entrepreneurs in the MENA Region: New Solutions to Overcoming Barriers" that will showcase innovative private and public sector solutions that are supporting women entrepreneurs in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Other panelists include Nadia Al Saeed, general manager of Bank al Etihad; Laura Lane, President of Global Public Affairs at United Parcel Service (UPS); Michael Okoroafor, Vice President of Global Sustainability & Packaging Innovation at McCormick & Company; and Heike Harmgart, managing director at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Al-Mashat will contribute to another plenary that will focus on women leaders in government, their contributions to decision-making roles and recommended best practices to promote women's advancement. During this session, Mariam Al Muhairi, UAE Minister of State for Food Security, Lana Nusseibah, UAE Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN; and prominent Kosovar politician Mimoza Kusari Lila, who was also the first woman to become a mayor in her country, will be in discussion together with John Defterios of CNN as the moderator. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is the Global Knowledge Partner of the GWFD 2020. This partnership will spearhead positive dialogue on best practices related to global gender-friendly policies. Alongside the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi), DWE is also co-organising the We-Fi MENA Regional Summit – a side-line event that will host entrepreneurs from the region's emerging economies. GWFD 2020 is a leading global platform that actively engages leaders and experts from around the world in constructive dialogue to discuss improved policies based on international best practices, foster goal-driven partnerships, and shape sustainable communities.
