The event was held as a joint initiative by the French Business Council of Dubai and Northern Emirates and the Dubai Business Women Council. It was organized at UNESCO Headquarters with support from the Delegation of Palau and the Delegation of France.

In her intervention, the Director-General highlighted the importance of gender equality as it supports women in business and in sustainable development.

“Gender equality must stand at the heart of the post-2015 agenda – as a fundamental human right, as a game-changer for all societies. This message is especially important now, as we mark the 20th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. I had the honour of being in Beijing in 1995, and I recall the energy of that moment – we must renew with this spirit.”

Women entrepreneurs and executives from the UAE and France participated in the Round-Table, comprising two sessions, to discuss gender disparities in business with respect to the Middle East and France.