A high-level policy dialogue hosted by the UAE Gender Balance Council in partnership with the World Bank wrapped up in Dubai this week, with renewed commitments from Gulf nations to push forward women’s economic empowerment through legislative reform, innovation, and coordinated action.
The two-day gathering, titled the GCC Knowledge Exchange Workshop on Women’s Economic Empowerment, was organised under the UAE’s Gender Balance Centre for Excellence & Knowledge Exchange. The event brought together policymakers from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain, as well as experts from the World Bank, to share insights and align on practical solutions to promote women’s participation in the workforce.
Described as a milestone moment in regional collaboration, the workshop gave a platform for countries to highlight impactful policies, examine reform efforts, and establish groundwork for a stronger network committed to advancing gender balance across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
Speaking at the event, Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council and the Dubai Women Establishment, said: “Women’s economic empowerment is not simply a policy objective, it is a force for transformation. It strengthens institutions, drives innovation, and ensures that progress is inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. Aligned with the UAE leadership’s far-reaching vision for sustainable development, we view regional cooperation and knowledge sharing as vital to advancing this cause.”
HH Sheikha Manal added: “Together with the World Bank, a trusted global partner in gender-balance reform, we have created a platform that not only strengthens regional dialogue but also connects our efforts to the broader international movement for gender balance. This workshop reflects our shared belief that progress is faster, deeper, and more sustainable when driven through cooperation, innovation, and collective resolve.”
She continued: “By providing a platform for meaningful dialogue, we seek to shape a future where inclusiveness drives opportunity, innovation and prosperity. The UAE is strongly committed to working with countries in the region to translate shared aspirations into effective systems, solutions and supportive environments that enable women to play more impactful roles across the full spectrum of economic life.”
Her Excellency Mona Al Marri, Vice President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, described the workshop as a testament to the power of collective action.
“Regional collaboration drives progress. By uniting to promote gender balance, we amplify our collective impact and ensure that every woman in the GCC has the chance to contribute to shaping a more inclusive future,” she said.
“Guided by the vision of our leadership, the UAE has placed gender balance at the heart of its national agenda and has worked to embed it across institutions, legislation, and economic strategy. The UAE Gender Balance Council, under the leadership of Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is committed to deepening partnerships with countries in the GCC region to advance gender balance.”
“The UAE is proud to lead this initiative in partnership with the World Bank. This collaboration reflects our conviction that lasting progress stems from the combination of local knowledge and global expertise. The presence of leaders from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the UAE at this gathering reflects our shared determination to learn from one another, harness collective strengths, and create practical solutions that deliver meaningful change.”
“This workshop opened new avenues for strengthening regional alignment towards building inclusive, opportunity-rich societies. I am confident that the momentum generated at this event will lead to greater cooperation and tangible impact.”
Her Excellency Mouza Al Suwaidi, Secretary-General of the UAE Gender Balance Council, opened the event by welcoming delegates and stressing the importance of joint regional efforts. “This gathering reflects not only the strength of our shared commitment to gender balance, but also the value we place on regional collaboration as a catalyst for progress. While each of our national journeys is unique, we are united by a common goal: to build inclusive and resilient economies where both women and men can thrive,” she said.
“We are proud to have hosted this important exchange of insights in collaboration with the World Bank, whose global expertise continues to inform and inspire meaningful progress in the region. The Gender Balance Centre for Excellence and Knowledge Exchange, launched as a joint initiative between the UAE and the World Bank, is one of our flagship platforms for promoting innovation, sharing insights, and strengthening regional dialogue. This is why initiatives like this are so important. They give us the opportunity to listen, to share, and to act — to take what we learn and translate it into policies and reforms that move our societies forward. Together, we can shape a more inclusive future for the GCC region, touching the lives of generations to come.” – Al Suwaidi added.
The World Bank’s Resident Representative to the UAE and Bahrain, Iva Hamel, also spoke on the collaboration, stating: “We are proud to partner with the UAE Gender Balance Council in fostering knowledge exchange and innovation on women’s economic empowerment. This week, leveraging the joint UAE-World Bank platform, the UAE Gender Balance Center for Excellence and Knowledge Exchange, we welcomed government delegations from the UAE, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom of Bahrain, who exchanged experiences in creating economic opportunities for women and inclusive labor markets. We look forward to scaling up such dialogues to deliver on our common goal: greater economic inclusion for women in the region and globally.”
Discussions spanned policy frameworks, inclusive labour markets, and country-led strategies to enhance women’s participation in the workforce.
The event concluded with a review of shared insights and plans for ongoing collaboration, with a joint brief by the UAE Gender Balance Council and the World Bank highlighting future opportunities. Organisers say the momentum created will feed into broader efforts to shape a more inclusive and economically dynamic GCC.
