UNCLAS ABU DHABI 002337

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARP AND G/IWI

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KWMN TC
SUBJECT: EMIRATI ATTENDANCE AT MARRAKESH WOMEN'S SUMMIT

REF: STATE 121501


1. Embassy Abu Dhabi and Consulate General Dubai have
identified prospective Emirati participants in the upcoming
2003 Global Women's Summit in Marrakesh on 28-30 June, and
will encourage their attendance. These prospective
attendees include high-profile women in government,
business, and the NGO community. In an effort to also
encourage wider Emirati attendance, we plan to engage with
our contacts at the Ministry of Information to request
their assistance in informing the public by placing
articles about the Summit in the UAE's English and Arabic
dailies.


2. We intend to contact H.E. Nora Al-Suweidi, Director for
the UAE General Women's Union (GWU) and Undersecretary for
the Ministry of Education and Youth, and encourage the
attendance of GWU members. The GWU, chaired by UAE First
Lady Shaykha Fatima bint Mubarak, is a federation comprised
of the seven, emirate-level women's unions and is the
primary promoter of women's issues in the UAE. It is
considered the UAE Government's de facto ministry of
women's affairs, and its leader typically serves as the UAE
government's women's affairs representative at
international conferences.


3. On 11 May, EconOff confirmed that the Abu Dhabi
National Businesswomen's Council -- a Global Summit
International Partner Organization -- will be sending three
representatives to the Summit, including its Executive
Committee Chairperson Dr. Rawda Al-Mutawwa. We will also
forward information on the Summit to Dubai Businesswomen's
Committee's leadership for distribution to its membership.

WAHBA