Abdullah bin Zayed announces UAE's support for the UN's 'HeForShe' campaign

ABU DHABI, 19th October 2016 (WAM) - H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has expressed UAE's support to the UN's "HeForShe" campaign, saying that building on the foundations of mutual respect between men and women and the recognition of their complementary roles in the process of national development, rooted in UAE society. In a speech read on his behalf by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development in the ceremony held at the General Women's Union to mark opening of the UN Women's office in Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Abdullah said the UAE was ready to launch the "HeForShe" campaign at the regional level. Below is the full text of speech, delivered by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak al Nahyan. Your Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood Your Excellency Dr. Phumzile Mlambo-Njuka Executive Director of the UN-Women, Distinguished guests, On behalf of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, I am pleased to join you at the opening ceremony for the UN Women Liaison Office in Abu Dhabi. The opening of this office reflects the deep partnership and the shared goal of the UAE and UN Women in achieving gender equality and the empowerment of women. Women’s empowerment has been an ongoing journey in the UAE. This process was initiated by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, who has always been committed to empowering women at all levels and under all circumstances, along with the support of men, who are a key part of this process. Building on the foundations of mutual respect between men and women and the recognition of their complementary roles in the process of national development, rooted in UAE society since the days of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and maintained by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, and His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, the first Arab official who declared his solidarity with the "HeForShe" campaign since its launch in 2014, I am pleased to announce that we are ready to launch the "HeForShe" campaign at the regional level. The regional campaign will be led by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the General Women's Union, and relevant bodies in the UAE, including the academic and private sector, and will start after the Liaison Office commences its work. I look forward to working with everyone in making this important initiative a success, and supporting the UAE’s leading role at the regional level. . - (Emirates News Agency, WAM) - http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates-international/1395301439581.html