Today's Edition
RABI HAMAMSAH (DUBAI)
As the world is focusing more on mitigating the impacts of climate change on women and working to enhance gender equality, the UAE aims to strengthen and consolidate this trend with the hosting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) with a particular focus on a sustainable future for all through the inclusion of all.
The UAE continues its notable efforts to enhance the balance between men and women in line with the sustainable development goals approved by the United Nations. On August 28, every year, the country celebrates Emirati Women’s Day, a day that embodies the great interest that the leadership in the UAE has given to Emirati women and its constant endeavour to enable them to play an active role in various fields.
Meera Almutawa, Strategy and Guest Experience Lead for the UAE House of Sustainability at COP28, oversees the strategy and guest experience for the UAE’s Blue Zone pavilion and Green Zone pavilion at COP28, being held at Expo City Dubai from November 30 - December 12.
In a recent interview with Aleithad, Almutawa said that the UAE House of Sustainability shares stories of inspiring innovative Emirati women changemakers and stewards who are dedicated to contributing to the future of sustainable flourishing.
‘’Some of our featured inspiring young climate champions include Fatima Al Falahi, a young student part of the ‘Murshed Programme’ an initiative by the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi that trains high-school students to become eco-rangers, and Maryam Almemari, a young research assistant focused on marine preservation at New York University, Abu Dhabi, and changemakers like fisheries scientist Shamsa Al Hameli, biodiversity specialist Maitha Al Hameli, climate change analyst Shamma Mebwana, hydro-wind innovator Maryam Hassani, to name a few,’’ she added.
Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company Masdar plays a prominent role in efforts to empower Emirati women and integrate them into various work sectors, especially the renewable energy and sustainability sectors, in which women have demonstrated a strong presence and made notable contributions.
Since its founding in 2006, Masdar has been keen to encourage women to participate in sustainability efforts by involving them in investment operations and developing renewable energy projects and many strategic initiatives that focus on empowering women and honing their skills, such as the ‘’Women for Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy’’ platform initiative, which aims to enhance the role of women and girls to effectively contribute to climate action and achieve the sustainable development goals approved by the United Nations, in addition to the Youth for Sustainability platform.
Based on the active role of Emirati women in achieving sustainability and enhancing their practices, the slogan of Emirati Women’s Day for the year 2023 is “Sharing for Tomorrow’’ in line with the Year of Sustainability in the UAE, which contributes to highlighting the UAE’s local efforts and its global contribution to addressing sustainability challenges through research.
Almutawa noted that the UAE House of Sustainability is honoured to present the Emirati nation’s journey of sustainable collective progress and share the UAE’s story with guests from around the world during COP28, adding that at the UAE House of Sustainability, guests are introduced to major contributors to the UAE’s environmental journey, like Hiba Al Shehhi, the Director of Biodiversity Department at MOCCAE, Dr. Faye Al Hersh, Head of Business Development at Masdar, and Ayesha Mohamed, Quality and Laboratory Lead at Emirates RDF (Refuse-Derived Fuel).
‘’We look forward to creating more opportunities for women in the fields of sustainability in climate action, collaboration and innovation globally, towards a prosperous future for all,’’ she added.
