AMEINAH ALZEYOUDI (ABU DHABI)
Abu Dhabi developer Miral hosted its inaugural Talent and Culture Forum on Tuesday, bringing together senior HR leaders, executives, and experts to reimagine workplace culture.
Held under the theme "Empowering People-Centric Experiences", the forum featured discussions on innovation, diversity, and purpose, which have been considered key pillars of a successful workforce in today's AI-driven era.
In her keynote address, Alia bint Abdulla Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship, drew on her experience in HR to emphasise the human side of people management, which is often perceived as purely "operational".
"HR taught me how to listen, how to build trust, and how to understand what truly drives people. It showed me that every organisation's success begins with its people - their growth, their belief, and their sense of purpose," said the minister, who shared that she started her career in HR.
She underlined that genuine leadership is about service rather than power, enabling others to shine and fostering cultures where people may flourish. "We were not just building a company - we were building a vision," she remarked, recalling her early days of supporting Miral.
The forum featured seminars and panel discussions that addressed key issues such workplace culture, employee experience in the era of AI, and Emiratisation strategies. Speakers emphasised how AI is poised to emerge as the next big force in innovation and advancement, enabling humans to work more creatively, intelligently, and efficiently rather than replacing them.
Speaking to Aletihad, Mariam Al Musharrekh, Chief Group Human Resources Officer at Miral, said the event celebrates the evolution of human resources in Abu Dhabi and across the UAE. She described it as a platform for industry leaders to exchange ideas, share insights on the latest innovations, and inspire one another.
Emiratisation is a top priority for the UAE, Al Musharrekh added, making it a central focus for HR teams nationwide.
"Miral proudly supports Emiratisation through several initiatives," she said. "I'm proud to say that we've hired more than 1,000 Emiratis through these programmes."