The UAE affirmed the role of women’s empowerment and gender equality in achieving the UN’s 2030 Agenda during the 2025 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development in New York. The UAE delegation presented the nation’s model for women’s empowerment, gender equality, motherhood, and childhood, which it identifies as foundations for inclusive and sustainable growth. This model is based on a comprehensive empowerment system provided for women and families.

The delegation outlined national policies and legislation that have increased female representation in leadership. This includes the Equal Pay Law and the Constitution, which ensures equal opportunities for both genders. The delegation noted that women constitute 50% of Federal National Council members and 26% of Cabinet members. Additionally, women make up 46% of STEM graduates in the UAE and 80% of the scientific leadership team for the Emirates Mars Mission.

The delegation also discussed the UAE’s global support for women’s empowerment through initiatives such as Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak’s Women in Peace and Security Initiative. The UAE expressed its readiness to share its expertise with the international community to advance gender equality.

The National Secretariat on SDGs and the UAE Consulate General in New York City hosted a roundtable titled ‘Accelerating Innovation in Promoting Gender Equality to Continue Achieving Sustainable Development in the Post-2030.’ The discussion focused on bridging the digital gender gap, transforming the care economy, and empowering women in leadership. Scalable solutions and practical models for SDG 5 were presented.

Participants included Her Excellency Savannah Mazhya, Minister of Information and Communications Technology in the Kingdom of Eswatini and Chair of the Global Council for SDG 5; His Excellency Abdulla Lootah, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Experience Exchange and Chair of the National Committee on SDGs; Dr. Manal Taryam, CEO and Board Member of Noor Dubai Foundation; Chelsea Molden, Executive Director of the Public Policy Lab; Stephanie Sirota from RTW Investments in Life Sciences; and Andrew Billo, Head of Partnerships at the UN Initiative to End Violence Against Women and Girls.

HE Lootah stated, “Over decades of sustainable development centred on the family, the UAE has made community empowerment both the finish line and the starting point of development. This approach is what the UAE is ready to share with everyone around the world. “Through the UAE’s participation in HLPF, and through the delegation’s meetings and partnerships, we are sharing knowledge gained in empowering society to ensure inclusive development.”

Additionally, the UAE delegation shared its experience in establishing the National Committee on SDGs in 2017 during an event organized by the Government of Qatar. This event introduced the agenda for the second edition of the Global Summit for Social Development, scheduled for November 4-6 in Doha.