DWE-UNITAR MoU Advances Women's Leadership Education

Dubai Women Establishment (DWE) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) to create a structured framework for collaboration focused on developing leadership capabilities among women. The agreement centres on designing and delivering targeted training initiatives, facilitating knowledge exchange, and strengthening women’s institutional influence and international engagement.

The MoU was signed at DWE headquarters by Naeema Ahli, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Women Establishment, and Rabih El-Haddad, Director of the Division for Multilateral Diplomacy at UNITAR. The partnership aims to support women’s professional development and expand their participation in decision-making processes at both national and international levels through practical, skills-focused programmes.

Naeema Ahli stated that the agreement with UNITAR builds on DWE’s ongoing commitment to forming effective partnerships with specialised international organisations. She explained that such collaborations enable the creation of targeted programmes and initiatives that strengthen women’s leadership and professional skills. These programmes are intended to equip participants to navigate rapid changes in the workplace and leadership landscape while helping them capitalise on opportunities arising from technological advancements.

Ahli emphasised that the partnership reflects the vision and directives of Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council and President of the Dubai Women Establishment. That vision prioritises investment in women’s talent and the expansion of opportunities for Emirati women to develop their capabilities and increase their representation across sectors, particularly in leadership and decision-making roles. These efforts align with Dubai’s broader ambitions and support its position as a global hub for excellence and innovation.

She added that collaboration with UNITAR will open new avenues for knowledge exchange and the adoption of international experience and best practices. This, in turn, will further empower women leaders to manage change, build strategic partnerships, and represent their organisations effectively on international platforms.

Rabih El-Haddad described the MoU as a meeting of complementary strengths. He noted that it brings together DWE’s understanding of Emirati women’s aspirations with UNITAR’s global expertise and network. The shared goal, he said, is to develop practical and forward-looking initiatives that equip women leaders with the skills required to navigate global change, shape policy, and contribute confidently and effectively to decision-making at national and international levels.

Under the terms of the MoU, the two organisations will work together to identify specific training needs and design tailored programmes to address them. They will also develop and deliver executive education, leadership development, and capacity-building programmes. In addition, the partnership will create opportunities for networking and knowledge exchange involving senior executives, women leaders, diplomats, United Nations officials, and representatives of international organisations and other relevant stakeholders.

The agreed areas of collaboration cover several interconnected themes. These include artificial intelligence, innovation, digital transformation, and the future of leadership. Further focus areas encompass women’s career development, institutional influence, and participation in global policymaking and decision-making processes. The partnership will also address executive presence, strategic and cross-cultural communication, strategic and global leadership, diplomacy, negotiation, and the development of international partnerships.

The MoU provides a foundation that allows both parties to expand their collaboration over time. This flexibility is intended to support the long-term sustainability of the partnership and the continuous development of its areas of cooperation. By combining DWE’s local insight and institutional reach with UNITAR’s international training expertise, the agreement seeks to create structured pathways for women to acquire advanced leadership competencies and strengthen their presence in high-level professional and diplomatic settings.

The partnership places particular emphasis on practical skills that enable participants to operate effectively in complex and evolving environments. Training components related to digital transformation and artificial intelligence are expected to help women leaders understand and apply emerging technologies within their organisations and sectors. Modules on diplomacy, negotiation, and cross-cultural communication aim to prepare participants for roles that require engagement with diverse international stakeholders.

Knowledge-exchange activities will connect Emirati women leaders with peers and experts from around the world, fostering mutual learning and the transfer of effective practices. Networking opportunities with diplomats, UN officials, and senior executives are designed to expand professional networks and increase visibility on global platforms. These elements collectively support the broader objective of enhancing women’s institutional influence and their ability to contribute to policy discussions at multiple levels.

By focusing on executive education and capacity building, the collaboration addresses both immediate skill gaps and longer-term leadership readiness. Programmes will be tailored to identified needs, ensuring relevance to the professional contexts of participants. The inclusion of strategic leadership and global engagement components reflects recognition that modern leadership requires not only technical competence but also the ability to operate across borders and institutional systems.

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The agreement is consistent with wider efforts to advance gender balance and women’s empowerment in the UAE. It translates high-level policy direction into concrete training and development activities that can be measured through the design and delivery of specific programmes. As implementation progresses, both organisations will be able to refine and expand the scope of cooperation in response to emerging requirements and opportunities.

In summary, the MoU between Dubai Women Establishment and UNITAR establishes a clear educational and developmental pathway for strengthening women’s leadership capabilities. Through jointly designed training, executive education, and structured knowledge exchange, the partnership aims to equip women with the skills, networks, and confidence needed to assume greater roles in decision-making and international engagement.