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State Council parliamentarian delegation attend ‘Summit of Women Speakers of Parliament’

The State Council delegation joined the nearly 50 women speakers from global parliamentarians at the two day long summit titled ‘Summit of Women Speakers of Parliament’ at the Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi’ .
The summit is held under the patronage of H.H.Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairperson of the General Women's Union, GWU, and Supreme Chairperson of the Family Development Foundation, FDF, and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood.
The first of its kind in history of global parliamentary work to be held in Middle East region, this Summit aims to provide women in decision-making positions of parliament a regular forum and an opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences, which are of interest to their national and international agendas.
The event is hosted by the Federal National Council of the United Arab Emirates and the Inter Parliamentary Union. The summit, which involves two days of forward-looking panels and debates in collaboration with the Inter-Parliamentary Union, is themed: ‘United for Shaping the Future’.
The delegation comprises of four women members, led by Hon.Dr Suad bint Mohammed Al Lawati, State Council Vice-Chairperson. It includes members Hon.Naashiah Al Kharousi and Hon. Rahma Al Mashrafi from State Council and Hon.Naama Jamil Al Busaidi, member of Majlis Ash’shura.
Sheikha Fatima said, 'Being convened under the overall theme United for Shaping the Future, the summit holds a significant value for the UAE, which represents a unique model of unit. She added, "We should unite and close our ranks to use the huge opportunities made available by human, cultural and technological achievements in all spheres, and develop solutions to remove obstacles blocking development in several countries."
Speakers will include Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior; Ban Ki-moon, UN secretary general; Federica Mogherini, Vice President of the European Commission; and Dr Ahmed Al Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al Azhar. Others taking part in panel discussions include FNC speaker Dr Amal Al Qubaisi, American bestselling author and physicist Dr Michio Kaku, and the chairwoman of the Russian parliament, Valentina Matviyenko.
In her opening speech, Dr.Amal Al Qubaisi, speaker of the Federal National Council of the UAE highlighted the progress made in the UAE and around the world and honored the patrons, partners and participants of the Summit, celebrating the importance of having 50 female speakers of national parliaments representing countries around the world. “The Women Speakers Summit held in Abu Dhabi is rooted in the same values as the UAE model of unity,” said Dr. Al Qubaisi
IPU President Saber Chowdhury expressed highlighted the path to today start with only twelve women in these positions one decade ago.
Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior (UAE) keynoted the event with an inspiring TED-style talk, which examined technological advancement and how it has changed modern societies.
The Deputy Prime Minister discussed the value and dangers of social media, praising companies like Twitter for shutting down more than one hundred thousand accounts of Daesh before ending his keynote with the ever-important message of family and unity.
Outgoing Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-Moon sent a video address to the Summit.
The event will also discuss the effectiveness of policies, regulations, and social will in facing, or benefiting from, these developments. In addition, the high-level event will shed light on issues pertaining to women empowerment, gender balance, legal and legislative challenges posed by great technological transformations to existing laws and regulations, as well as avoiding and mitigating conflicts to which they might lead. Furthermore, efforts will be made to identify scientific and technological possibilities to overcome pressing issues such as global warming, climate change, water scarcity and low biodiversity.
The summit places its focus on the role of women Speakers in uniting parliamentarians around national and political interests to deliver sustainable prosperity and security in a rapidly changing world. 
It addresses key questions on the evolving role of parliament, including how parliaments can work with the other branches of government, with the private sector and the wider community.
Today’s agenda includes peace, security, counter-terrorism, the environment and changes in political communication.