The Arab International Women’s Forum held its first conference in the United Arab Emirates on 10 and 11 December 2007 under the Patronage of HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, Wife of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE, Ruler of Dubai. Entitled ‘Powering the Future: Arab Business Women in a Modern Economy’, this outstanding event was the culmination of the AIWF 2007 programme focusing on key elements for economic success, namely the creation of an enabling environment for the development of private enterprise and overcoming the challenges and barriers to greater female participation in the Arab economies.
The conference, held at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) at the kind invitation of the Governor of the DIFC, developed widely and professionally the remit of the 2007 programme theme, ‘Globalisation, Trade and Entrepreneurship’. The two day initiative provided a forum that brought together a high profile gathering of 250 people from over 35 countries, including 19 Arab countries, representing AIWF global partners, members, and other supporters, men and women who are engaged in significant roles within the global economy representing government, business, trade and academic and professional circles, and was supported by PepsiCo, Abraaj Capital, The Hawkamah Institute, Merrill Lynch, Shell, General Motors, Crescent Petroleum, The Dubai Business Women Council, MCM, DLA Piper, and the Jumeirah Group.
During this event AIWF and the Hawkamah Institute for Corporate Governance signed a Memorandum of Understanding.
