Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Chairperson of Frontier25, The Climate Tribe, Aurora50, Alliances for Global Sustainability (AGS), and RESET MENA, has announced the appointment of the members of the Al Yalsa Advisory Council.
Al Yalsa is a series of monthly gatherings that bring together women from across the UAE to exchange ideas and explore solutions to issues shaping the nation’s future, embracing themes aligned with the national agenda such as health, technology and innovation, sustainability, and national identity.
At the heart of these meetings lie hospitality, generosity, and trust, and the opportunity for everyone present to respectfully discuss societal and cultural matters.
The Al Yalsa Advisory Council provides the guidance, perspective, and continuity that will shape the quality and relevance of the series.
The council helps to shape themes, consider prospective partners, and identify voices that can contribute meaningfully to each gathering.
Chaired by Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, the initiative is led by Hind Alghseen, Executive Director of Al Yalsa.
Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan said, “Establishing an Advisory Council for Al Yalsa guarantees that this special gathering has credible and trusted oversight, ensuring that we touch on the topics that are currently affecting the lives of Emirati women. I am grateful to every member who is dedicating their time and their expertise to making this initiative truly impactful. Their remarkable voices and combined experience are helping to shape the narrative as we explore the full potential of Al Yalsa and the value it can add to the journey of the UAE.”
Hind Alghseen said, “Al Yalsa grew from Sheikha Shamma's vision of a space where women in the UAE are truly heard. The Advisory Council gives that space a lasting foundation: a trusted majlis where women speak openly, learn from one another, and contribute to the nation they are building together. Our work is to make sure every voice in the room counts, and that its impact is felt well beyond it.”
The Advisory Council members are Her Excellency Hajer Al Thehli, Secretary-General of the Education, Human Development, and Community Development Council; Her Excellency Hessa Buhumaid, Director General of the Community Development Authority - Dubai; Alia Al Mazrouei, Entrepreneurship Expert; Lubna Qassim, International Lawyer and Former Senior Multilateral Diplomat; Elham Al Qasim, Chief Data and AI Officer at Majid Al Futtaim – Holding; and Rula AlQadi, Deputy Treasurer - Treasury & Investments at Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank.
Her Excellency Hajer Al Thehli said, “In the UAE, we believe that shaping the future begins with people, by listening to their experiences and aspirations, and creating opportunities for their ideas and contributions to be heard. Al Yalsa reflects this belief by bringing together women of different ages, backgrounds, and fields of expertise, creating a space for meaningful dialogue and the exchange of perspectives on issues that matter to our lives, families, and communities, guided by our shared values and aspirations for our nation’s future. We aspire for Al Yalsa to serve as a bridge for two-way engagement, where women’s voices and aspirations are heard, while creating opportunities to deepen awareness and understanding of government priorities, policies, and initiatives.”
Her Excellency Hessa Buhumaid, Director General of the Community Development Authority in Dubai, said, “The Al Yalsa women's majlis is a distinctive space for constructive community dialogue and the exchange of expertise and perspectives on family and social issues. It allows current challenges to be discussed in depth, future changes to be anticipated, and ideas to be developed that are grounded in knowledge and real-world experience and keep pace with the needs and aspirations of society.”
Her Excellency Alia Al Mazrouei said, “I am honoured to be a part of the Al Yalsa Advisory Council and to be playing a role in helping shape the vision of Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan for this important initiative. By providing a platform for women to openly discuss challenging and timely topics impacting their lives, we aim to advance progress in our community and bring to light the role of women in the UAE’s ongoing development. I look forward to these inspiring conversations and to contributing in a meaningful way to such a positive movement.”
Lubna Qassim said, “Sheikha Shamma’s vision for Al Yalsa is distinctive in bringing women across the UAE together to exchange perspectives, challenge assumptions and shape conversations about our collective future. As a founding member of the Advisory Council, I hope to contribute my cross-sectoral experience to connect women’s lived experiences with policy and decision making, ensuring that the insights emerging from Al Yalsa inform thoughtful dialogue and help women across the UAE and shape the future of our society.”
Elham Al Qasim said, “It is a privilege to serve as a member of the Al Yalsa Advisory Council alongside distinguished colleagues and under the leadership of Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan. With regular and sustained dialogue within and beyond Al Yalsa, we look to encourage intellectual exchanges among women across government, business, academia, and civil society. As we focus on the most pressing matters of our time, this dialogue represents a compounding loop at the heart of women’s positive contribution to the development of our nation.”
Rula AlQadi said, “It’s a privilege to be part of the Al Yalsa Advisory Council. I’ve been inspired by the openness and diversity of perspectives so far, and I’m excited about what we can achieve together as we shape future gatherings around the issues that matter most to our community.”
