Emirati women take leading role in shaping global diplomacy
Khaled Al Khawaldeh (Abu Dhabi) When Alia Al Suwaidi sat at the negotiating table during a major UAE-US bilateral meeting early in her diplomatic career, one fact stood out — she was the only woman at the table, on either side.'That moment resonated with me,' recalled Al Suwaidi, now Deputy Chief of Mission at the UAE Embassy in Washington DC in an embassy blog post. 'It fuelled my career growth and commitment to champion the inclusion and advancement of all women in public service.' Her experience reflects the importance of the International Day of Women in Diplomacy, celebrated annually on June 24. The day recognises the vital contributions of women to diplomacy and international peace and highlights the need to accelerate gender equality in foreign affairs, a goal to which the UAE has long been committed.The UAE played a leading role in the adoption of the UN General Assembly resolution that established the day in 2022, helping ensure that women's leadership in diplomacy is recognised each year by the global community.Today, Al Suwaidi helps shape UAE-US relations, oversees embassy operations, and mentors aspiring diplomats. Her career trajectory illustrates how women are no longer solitary voices at diplomatic tables but are emerging as central figures shaping international relations.Among the trailblazing Emirati women on the global stage is Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister for Political Affairs and Permanent Representative to the UN. Nusseibeh has emerged as a champion of multilateralism and gender equality, having served as President of the UN Women Executive Board and Vice President of the UN General Assembly. She also played a key role in securing the resolution that created the International Day of Women in Diplomacy.'Each and every day, women lead and make vital contributions to diplomatic efforts across the globe,' Lana Nusseibeh said in 2022 marking the inauguration of the day. Other prominent Emirati women diplomats include Hend Manea Saeed Al Otaiba, who was the UAE's Ambassador to France, and played a key role in strengthening bilateral relations between the UAE and France, and Hafsa Al Olama, the UAE's former Ambassador to Germany, known for her advocacy for education and the advancement of women in public life. Their work is not just about representing the UAE's interests abroad, but about demonstrating how inclusive diplomacy strengthens international cooperation and peacebuilding. Al Suwaidi notes that time and again, women have proven that diplomacy benefits from their participation. The UAE's progress in this area is reflected in the numbers. As of 2022, women made up 43% of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation workforce, and gender parity had been achieved at the UAE's Permanent Mission to the UN. Yet globally, challenges persist. UN figures show that women represent just 21% of ambassadors worldwide, and their participation in peace negotiations and mediation remains disproportionately low. Between 1992 and 2019, women accounted for only 13% of negotiators and 6% of mediators in formal peace processes.For the UAE, the International Day of Women in Diplomacy offers a chance not only to celebrate progress but to call for further global action. 'Looking ahead to future, I expect to see more women engaged worldwide,' Al Suwaidi said. 'This powerful trend signifies a broader cultural shift toward gender equality in our societies. It also sends a powerful message to young women and girls that they too can aspire to roles in international leadership.'
As the world observes this important day, Emirati women diplomats stand as powerful examples of how inclusive diplomacy can deliver more just and sustainable outcomes and why the future of diplomacy must be shaped by voices from all segments of society.
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