UAE WOMEN'S CONFERENCE

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 003314 SIPDIS DEPT FOR NEA DAS CHEYNEY, NEA/ARP DEPT PASS NSC FOR THE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL TC SUBJECT: UAE WOMEN'S CONFERENCE ¶1. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the President of the UAE General Women's Union and the wife of the President of the UAE, has invited National Security Advisor Dr. Condoleezza Rice and NEA Deputy Assistant Secretary Elizabeth Cheney to attend the "First Economic Businesswomen Forum" in Abu Dhabi scheduled for October 7 to October 10, 2003. The forum is cosponsored by the Arab League Council for Arab Business Women, the General Women's Union, and the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The topic of the forum is "Projects for Businesswomen: Reality and Ambitions," and it is designed to encourage further participation by Arab women in the economies of their respective countries. ¶2. We understand that this forum replaces a long planned conference, scheduled for October 5-6, hosted by the Abu Dhabi World Trade Center and the Abu Dhabi Businesswomen's Council, on "Arab Women in the 21st Century: First Economic and Political Conference." The organizers have told Post that, given the conflicting time schedule between the two conferences, they have cancelled the October 5-6 conference. ¶3. According to the preliminary schedule provided by the Women's Union, the conference will begin with a reception followed by a dinner on October 6. Work sessions are scheduled for October 7 and 8 covering issues relating to investment and women in business. A trip to UAE President Sheikh Zayed's nature reserve Sir Bani Yas Island is scheduled for October 9. A trip to Dubai - with shopping and dinner - is scheduled for October 10. ¶4. Post will pouch letters of invitation and a copy of the schedule to the Department. It is possible that some details may change. The Ambassador will engage with the conference arrangers in the next week in order to obtain more details. A copy of the preliminary schedule will be faxed to NEA/ARP. WAHBA