Today's Edition
By: Shamma Ahmad Al Qutbah, Researcher at TRENDS Research & Advisory
In a world where the contours of international relations are drawn behind closed doors and major decisions are formulated in the most precise terms, women have emerged as voices of wisdom and insight in global diplomacy, stating that they are ready for the task and will step in regardless of challenges.
Each year on 24 June, the world celebrates the International Day of Women in Diplomacy, a day that honors the remarkable role played by women in shaping the global political landscape and their achievements in leadership and pioneering. It is a day when stories of excellence are shared—stories of women who wrote history through their voices and skills. Women who defied constraints, made meaningful differences in peace negotiations, carried the causes of their people on their shoulders, and championed human values in decision-making circles. They have become the voice of reason in times of crisis and a bridge for convergence between nations and cultures.
While much remains to be done in most countries to achieve gender balance, successful models like the United Arab Emirates (UAE) prove that empowering women in diplomacy is not a distant dream but a reality that can be realised through political will and a clear, future-looking vision.
The UAE: A Success Story Where Women Shape the Future of Diplomacy
Contrary to global trends, the UAE has presented a pioneering model to the world by achieving significant progress in women’s empowerment in diplomacy, making it a strategic national priority. Emirati women now help shape the future of the country’s diplomacy and occupy distinguished positions in the diplomatic field.
One of the most prominent figures who contributed to elevating the UAE’s global standing and affirmed the presence of Emirati women in international forums is Her Excellency Lana Nusseibeh, who served as the UAE’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations from 2013 to 2024. She was the first Emirati woman to hold this prestigious post. During her tenure, she played a central role in strengthening the UAE’s positions in the multilateral scene and contributed effectively to highlighting issues such as women’s empowerment, peace, and security, particularly during the UAE’s membership in the UN Security Council in 2022-2023. Her work demonstrated that Emirati women are capable of driving change and making a difference in the world’s most sensitive and complex issues.
Her Excellency Lana Nusseibeh is not an isolated example. She is one of many distinguished Emirati female diplomats, including Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation. Thanks to her leadership experience and negotiation skills, Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy has become a cornerstone of UAE foreign policy. She was not only the diplomatic face of Expo 2020 but also a prominent voice in advancing the UAE’s soft power globally, particularly in areas such as sustainable development and humanitarian aid.
More recently, the appointment of Her Excellency Sheikha Al Nowais as Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) reflects the UAE’s vision of building a new generation of women leaders who combine administrative competence with strategic foresight. It also shows the leadership’s strong confidence in the potential of young Emirati women. Today, Emirati women make up 49% of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ workforce and hold 30% of senior leadership positions.
Supportive Institutions and a Vision that Knows No Impossible
It is noteworthy that the UAE’s remarkable achievements in women’s empowerment are by no means a coincidence. They are the result of a clear, forward-looking vision and unwavering leadership that recognises no limits to empowerment and no path leading to the impossible. Since its formation, the UAE’s leadership has made empowering women a national priority, firmly believing in women’s vital role as equal partners in development and decision-making and in the idea that balanced gender participation is fundamental to building a cohesive society.
At the forefront of this march stands Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the “Mother of the Nation,” who has been, and still is, the beating heart of Emirati women’s empowerment in all fields, particularly in diplomacy. From the beginning, Her Highness has played a pivotal role in paving the way for Emirati women, supporting them to become key drivers of leadership and change. In 1975, she established the General Women’s Union as the primary institution for empowering Emirati women; a platform through which their participation has been activated and nurtured, preparing them to engage fully and competently in political, international, and development fields.
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, has also been instrumental in shaping this journey. His decisive vision for women’s empowerment marked a turning point. He firmly believes in the capabilities of Emirati women and their vital role in shaping the future of the nation and the world as a whole. Under his leadership, women’s empowerment is not a secondary option but a national priority embodied in policies, laws, and practices. Also under his leadership, Emirati women [have been] appointed as ambassadors and permanent representatives in key global capitals and international organisations, affirming his unwavering trust in their abilities.
On the institutional level, the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy has played an effective role in developing and refining female talent in the diplomatic corps. The Academy has provided an advanced learning and training environment grounded in practical experience and international leadership skills, enabling Emirati women to enter the field of diplomacy equipped with knowledge, experience, and professionalism.
Furthermore, the presence of the UN Women Liaison Office in Abu Dhabi reflects the UAE’s deep commitment to supporting and empowering women both locally and globally. The office has enhanced coordination between national and international entities and supported initiatives focused on women’s roles in peacebuilding and security, further reinforcing the UAE’s global standing as a model of gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Therefore, the UAE has gone beyond just offering support and training. It has elevated women to symbols of wise leadership and honorable representation in international arenas and carriers of messages of peace and dialogue. The Emirati model affirms that women’s empowerment is a foundational pillar in building an inclusive and sustainable diplomatic future.
This is a comprehensive success story, born of a clear vision and firm will that knows no impossible. It reflects the deep-rooted commitment of the UAE to equality and genuine partnership between the genders in all areas of national and international work.
