NAMA Women Advancement Establishment (NAMA) and United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)—the organisers of the first edition of the Women’s Economic Empowerment Global Summit (WEEGS), set to take place in Sharjah from 4 to 5 December 2017—are calling for interested parties to register for the Summit.

The Summit will feature inspiring leaders and experts on women’s economic empowerment and will put a spotlight on the ways companies, governments, international organisations and civil society can work together to make value chains work for women, enable the full participation of women-owned enterprises in value chains, create decent jobs for women, and provide equal opportunities for women entrepreneurs locally and globally.

The Summit provides a platform to share good practices and highlight the achievements of women around the world. Emphasis will be placed on drivers of economic empowerment that have been identified by the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Women’s Economic Empowerment, and how the they can make a transformative contribution to achieving the United Nations 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of NAMA, the WEEGS will be held every two years.

Themed ‘Women Excelling in Economy,’ this year’s inaugural forum will evaluate methods of creating an enabling global economy for women. It will provide a platform for participants to share best practices, place a focus on defining promising economic opportunities within each sector and highlight the achievements of women around the world.

“The two-day Women’s Economic Empowerment Global Summit has been established as a premium forum that will see participation from world’s authorities on women’s empowerment, gender equality advocates, academics, thought leaders from various industries and female entrepreneurs. Discussions at the forum will involve ways to influence global policy that secure the interests of women who want to play a more active role in their economies. This is a seminal event on women’s economic empowerment and we encourage anyone with an interest in advancing the role of women in the economy to register,” said Reem BinKaram, Director of NAMA.

WEEGS was conceived to further advance the United Nation’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which was adopted by the organisation’s General Assembly in September 2015. Women’s empowerment is both a stand alone goal—Goal 5— and a critical element throughout the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This reinforces the inextricable links between gender equality, human rights, economic growth and environmental sustainability, with gender equality and women’s empowerment enshrined as a priority throughout the agenda’s 17 SDG’s.

“The inaugural WEEGS is another significant collaboration between NAMA and UN Women that will deliver on the women’s economic empowerment dimensions of the SDG’s. Our core philosophy at NAMA is to raise awareness that women are an indispensable human resource for the development of every nation. The organisation was conceived to go beyond the remit of supporting women and ensuring gender equality to a have a broader scope that aims to see women become influential key members of society, thereby enabling them to climb the ladder of success,” added BinKaram.

Established by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, NAMA is chaired by Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah. The organization encourages policies and legislation to support women and actively pursues programmes that promote integration into all sectors and abolish unjust and discriminatory policies. Its five affiliates, Sharjah Business Women Council, Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council, NAMA Fund, Badiri Education and Development Platform, and Anwan, fall under the umbrella of NAMA.

UN Women is the United Nations organisation dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. A global champion for women and girls, UN Women was established in 2010 to accelerate progress on meeting their needs globally.

UN Women supports UN Member States as they set global standards for achieving gender equality, and works with governments and civil society to design laws, policies, programmes and services needed to ensure that the standards are effectively implemented and truly benefit women and girls worldwide. It works globally to make the vision of the Sustainable Development Goals a reality for women and girls and stands behind women’s equal participation in all aspects of life.

UN Women also coordinates and promotes the UN system’s work in advancing gender equality, and in all deliberations and agreements linked to the 2030 Agenda. The entity works to position gender equality as fundamental to the Sustainable Development Goals, and a more inclusive world.

Those keen to find out more about the programme of the first ever Women’s Economic Empowerment Global Summit to register for the event or can do so at: http://weesummit.com/register.