The Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council placed a firm spotlight on the rising influence of women in artificial intelligence during its participation in the Global Women Leaders Forum, which opened in Sofia under the patronage of Bulgarian Prime Minister H.E. Rosen Zhelyazkov.
This year’s edition of the forum brought together more than 200 high-profile women leaders, policymakers, and representatives of international organisations, convening under the theme “A Fast-Changing World: Women in the Driver’s Seat.” Discussions throughout the event examined the broadening contribution of women to the global economy, technology, digital transformation and AI, which are areas undergoing swift shifts that require agile and forward-thinking leadership.
Delivering a keynote address titled “Skills and Leadership for the Future,” H.E. Asma Al Fahim, chairwoman of the Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council, emphasised the essential role women leaders play in steering through technological disruption and advancing inclusive, sustainable economic development. She stated that women’s engagement in decision-making enhances the capacity to produce comprehensive solutions and drives progress, innovation, and broader societal wellbeing.
Al Fahim drew attention to the rapid pace of digital transformation and the need for leadership rooted in continuous learning, adaptability, and innovation. She spoke of the importance of preparing and empowering women who can lead strategic partnerships and guide meaningful change across multiple sectors.
Highlighting national progress, Al Fahim praised the UAE’s achievements in women’s economic empowerment, crediting the continuous backing of the country’s leadership. She acknowledged the guidance of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, noting that her support has enabled women to access the tools and opportunities needed to excel in innovation, entrepreneurship, and emerging fields such as artificial intelligence. These developments, she said, reflect Abu Dhabi’s ambition to build an integrated environment where women are central to digital transformation and economic diversification.
The council’s involvement in the forum aligns with its wider purpose of equipping women for leadership roles at a time when industries and economies are evolving at remarkable speed.
Organised by the Council of Women in Business in Bulgaria, the Global Women Leaders Forum is held every two years and has become a major international venue for policy discussions, collaboration, and women’s empowerment. Since its launch in 2013, the forum has developed into a key gathering for global leaders committed to creating a more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable future.
While in Sofia, Al Fahim and H.E. Marwa Abdullah Al Mansoori, a board member of both the Council and the Abu Dhabi Chamber, held several official meetings arranged with support from the UAE Embassy in Bulgaria. These engagements allowed the delegation to present council initiatives, explore collaborative prospects, and deepen international links in areas including innovation, technology, banking, and women’s entrepreneurship. Stakeholders they met included Sofia Tech Park, UniCredit Bulbank, the Ministry of Innovation and Growth, Artex Engineering, and the Bulgarian Center of Women in Technology.
