The UAE has launched the First Emirati-Kuwaiti Women’s Forum, marking a new joint initiative aimed at accelerating women’s empowerment and regional development. The forum is being held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union (GWU) and widely known as the “Mother of the Nation”.
Running until 3 February 2026, the event is organised in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait and is themed “Together We Are… Together We Become… Together We Create Tomorrow.”
The forum has been positioned as a response to a call by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, to celebrate the strong fraternal relationship between the UAE and Kuwait. It also aims to encourage closer collaboration in areas linked to women’s empowerment and national development across both countries.
According to organisers, the forum acts as a strategic link between two national frameworks guiding long-term development. On the UAE side, it reflects the “Mother of the Nation 50:50 Vision”, which highlights women as central to family stability and as key contributors to the country’s 50-year development journey. At the same time, it aligns with Kuwait’s “New Kuwait Vision 2035”, which places human capital and the empowerment of national talent at the core of future growth.
One of the main features of the forum is an interactive exhibition hosted at the GWU headquarters. Sponsored by the Department of Economic Development, the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, the exhibition presents economic models and real-life success stories from productive families, SMEs and startups. It also includes displays focused on cultural preservation, showcasing traditional handicrafts, regional cuisine and the fashion heritage of both Emirati and Kuwaiti communities. Organisers said the exhibition highlights how women are turning heritage into sustainable social and economic value.
The forum forms part of more than 40 community and cultural events taking place across the UAE this week. These include the UAE-Kuwait Media Forum, which focuses on digital youth voices, and an Economic Forum scheduled for 2 February. In addition, landmarks across several cities are being illuminated in Kuwaiti national colours.
The timing of the forum is seen as significant, coming ahead of the 22nd edition of DIHAD (Dubai International Humanitarian Aid & Development), where Kuwait has been named the 2026 “Guest of Honour”. The event also builds on momentum from the second Women Parliamentary Forum of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM), which opened in Abu Dhabi on 27 January 2026, reinforcing the UAE’s role as a regional hub for advancing women into strategic leadership roles.
