The activities of the "Emirati Women-Future is Now Conference," organised by Liwan Culture and Arts, began today, under the theme, "Vision and Ambition," and was attended by Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa bin Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan.

The conference is being held for the second consecutive year, under the patronage of Sheikha Salama bint Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, President of Liwan Culture and Arts, and in co-operation with the Aman Service-General Command of Abu Dhabi Police, the Positive Cancer Foundation, PCF, and the Dar Al Asalah Media Group.

The launch ceremony, which was held at the Jumeirah Hotel in Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi, was attended by several ministers, senior officials, diplomats, businessmen and female university students.

In his opening speech, where he directed a salute to Emirati women, Lt. Colonel Dr. Hassan Juma Al Zaabi, Director of the Information Centre in the Security Information Department at the Abu Dhabi Police, said, "We stand today in the conference to appreciate and respect Emirati women, and we are all proud of their leading progress in all areas and their effective role in the country’s advancement. They have shown notable examples of giving, sacrifice and heroism, and have joined men in various areas of work, and have occupied leading positions and have proved their effectiveness and excellence in serving the nation."

His speech was followed by the statement of Sheikha Salama bint Tahnoun, which was given on her behalf by Dr. Shadi Al Bataina, Director of the Office of Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa bin Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan, which discussed the support provided by the wise leadership to women since the foundation of the country, as they are an essential cornerstone of the community and a partner in creating its future.

She stressed that the role of women in creating future generations is divided according to their situation, whether as mothers who are tasked by Allah Almighty with raising their children, or as teachers who are tasked with educating the youth and developing their effective role in the community, or as women who represent half of the community and the nation’s human resources, who are indispensable to the country’s advancement and economic development.

Sheikh Mohammed then gave his speech, where he welcomed the attendees and stated that the vision of the conference is to confirm the importance of women in attaining community stability, through their important and vital role in raising future generations, and their ability to maintain a crucial balance between their journey of economic development and their key role in raising future generations while contributing to all the components of the UAE Vision 2021.

Several notable people who contributed to the progress of women were then honoured, including Sheikha Shamma bint Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan, Chairperson of the Sheikh Mohammad bin Khalid Al Nahyan Cultural Centre; Dr. Hajar Al Hosani; Dr. Layla Al Awadi; Dr. Aisha Al Salami; Dina Bel Jaflah, and Bahiya Khamis Mubarak Al Marzouqi.