During the World Governments Summit (WGS) 2025, the UAE Gender Balance Council hosted the Gender Balance Forum, underscoring the UAE’s commitment to strengthening global partnerships and fostering knowledge exchange to advance gender equity—a key pillar of sustainable development. The forum was attended by high-profile regional and international dignitaries, in addition to members of the UAE Gender Balance Council.
During her participation, Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, emphasized that gender balance remains a national priority in the UAE. “The UAE’s remarkable progress in gender balance is a testament to our wise leadership’s vision and unwavering support. Their commitment to ensuring equal participation of men and women in nation-building has positioned the UAE as a global success story,” she stated.
UAE tops region in gender balance
Sheikha Manal highlighted the UAE’s leading rankings in international gender balance indices, including first place regionally and seventh globally in the Gender Equality Index 2024 by the United Nations Development Program. Additionally, the UAE ranks first in the Middle East and North Africa region in the Women, Business, and the Law 2024 report by the World Bank.
Sheikha Manal attributed these achievements to strong collaboration between federal and local government entities, robust partnerships with the private sector and close cooperation with international organizations. She reaffirmed the UAE Gender Balance Council’s commitment to expanding its impact and making the UAE a global best practice leader in the field.
She also underscored the significance of the UAE Gender Balance Council’s participation in the World Governments Summit, stating: “This summit is an invaluable platform to foster partnerships and drive meaningful change. Gender balance is not just a moral imperative but a key factor in economic prosperity and societal well-being. We are committed to leading constructive dialogue that shapes forward-thinking strategies, ensuring inclusivity in a rapidly evolving world.”
Key milestones in achieving gender balance
For her part, Her Excellency Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, reinforced the importance of the Gender Balance Forum in showcasing the UAE’s remarkable progress in gender balance.
“The UAE’s recognition as a global leader in gender balance is the result of deliberate policies, strategic initiatives and impactful partnerships. These achievements did not happen by chance but through a well-defined vision,” she stated.
Al Marri noted that women now hold one-third of ministerial positions in the UAE government and 50 percent of seats in the Federal National Council. Additionally, women account for 57 percent of graduates in STEM fields, one of the highest rates worldwide. She added that 46 percent of the national labor force in the government sector consists of women.
She also emphasized the UAE Gender Balance Council’s role in fostering regional and international knowledge exchange, stating: “Our discussions at this forum are a valuable opportunity to highlight legal reforms, innovative programs, and impactful strategies that drive gender balance and inclusivity worldwide.”
Legislative reforms advancing UAE’s gender balance
During the Gender Balance Forum, Her Excellency Huda Al Hashimi, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Strategic Affairs and Member of the UAE Gender Balance Council, highlighted the UAE’s pioneering policies that have significantly advanced gender balance.
She pointed to key legislative reforms, including equal pay laws, paternity leave policies and mandates for women’s representation on corporate boards.
“Gender balance is not just about equality—it is an essential pillar of economic strength and national development. The UAE’s commitment to creating an inclusive work environment has resulted in a remarkable increase in gender balance perception indicators, rising from 45 percent in 2016 to 87 percent in 2022, with expectations to surpass 90 percent in the coming years,” she stated.
Looking ahead, she reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to extending its impact beyond national borders. She also highlighted initiatives like the “UAE Gender Balance Center for Excellence and Knowledge Exchange”, developed in collaboration with the World Bank, which facilitates regional cooperation and legislative advancements in gender balance.
“Our vision is to build a future where everyone can fully realize their potential. This is not just a goal but a reality we shape daily,” she concluded.
Meanwhile, Her Excellency Mouza Mohammed Al Ghuwais Al Suwaidi, Secretary-General of the UAE Gender Balance Council, said: “The UAE has enacted over 22 legislative reforms in recent years, covering areas such as political participation, workplace protections, leadership representation, and financial inclusion. These laws have laid a strong foundation for a more balanced and equitable society.”
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Latvia’s Prime Minister highlights commitment to gender equality
At the opening of the WGS 2025, Her Excellency Evika Silina, Prime Minister of the Republic of Latvia, expressed her delight in visiting the UAE and joining the global conversation on governance and progress. She commended the UAE’s remarkable achievements in gender balance and acknowledged its emergence as a leading international model for empowering women at all levels. She also emphasized that equal opportunities are the foundation of a thriving society and shared how Latvia has championed gender balance reforms.
Silina highlighted Latvia’s commitment to gender equality, both locally and internationally, through strong partnerships and policies. She also noted the high representation of women in leadership roles and the government’s determination to push these achievements even further.
Silina also spoke about Latvia’s decisive action to combat violence against women, including groundbreaking legislation and a national plan adopted in 2024 to prevent such challenges. Stressing the power of education, she also underscored the importance of legal measures supporting shared childcare responsibilities, ensuring a more balanced and inclusive society.
