Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Under the patronage and in the presence of Sheikha Wafa bint Humaid Al Mualla, the Sheikha Wafa bint Humaid Al Mualla Community Initiatives Foundation organized the “Women’s Gateway to the Digital Economy” Conference in Dubai under the theme “Empowerment • Innovation • Impact,” bringing together government leaders, institutional representatives, entrepreneurs, and international experts from across the Gulf region and beyond.
The conference served as a high-level platform for dialogue and collaboration, highlighting the growing role of women in shaping the future of the digital economy and advancing sustainable development through innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship.
In her opening remarks, Sheikha Wafa bint Humaid Al Mualla emphasized that Gulf and Arab women have become key partners in building the future digital economy, noting that economic and social development are inseparable pillars of progress. She stressed that investing in women’s capabilities remains one of the most important drivers of sustainable growth and innovation.
She noted that the accelerating pace of technological transformation is reshaping business, investment, and knowledge ecosystems worldwide, creating unprecedented opportunities for women to lead change, innovate solutions, and contribute to future-focused economies.
In recognition of her contributions to community empowerment and international cooperation, the Norwegian Association for Justice and Peace honored Sheikha Wafa with a special award presented by the Association’s President, Tarek Ibrahim, who attended the conference from Norway.
The event also received official support and recognition from the Office of H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism. H.E. Badriya Al Meidour, Assistant Undersecretary for Support Services at the Ministry of Economy, delivered a strategic presentation titled “From Partnership to Impact: How Cross-Sector Collaboration Supports Women’s Economic Empowerment,” highlighting the importance of cooperation between government entities, private sector organizations, and community institutions.
The conference featured two major panel discussions. The first session, moderated by Dr. Amal Al Heddabi, Board Member of the UAE Businesswomen Council, explored women’s role in the digital economy and examined pathways for increasing female participation in technology-driven sectors and decision-making positions.
The panel included H.E. Eng. Azza bint Suleiman Al Ismailiya from the Sultanate of Oman, MP Basma Mubarak from the Kingdom of Bahrain, Advisor Khadija Bouhulaika from the State of Qatar, and Dr. Farida Alhadramiah from the Sultanate of Oman.
The second panel focused on the future of women-led institutions in the digital era, discussing digital assets, virtual currencies, emerging technologies, and evolving regulatory frameworks shaping the future financial ecosystem.
A notable contribution came from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), where Dr. Aisha Bin Lootah highlighted the UAE’s experience in establishing a globally recognized regulatory framework for virtual assets and emphasized the critical role Emirati women have played in developing institutions, policies, and regulations that support innovation and financial technology.
Beyond its discussion sessions, the conference also featured cultural and artistic performances portraying the evolution of women’s roles from heritage and tradition to the age of artificial intelligence and digital transformation. Additional activities promoted values of tolerance, inclusion, and sustainable human development.
Participants benefited from extensive networking opportunities, partnership-building sessions, interactive workshops, and a dedicated virtual marketplace. Attendees also received official participation certificates and professional development credentials.
The conference concluded by reaffirming the importance of strengthening women’s participation in the digital economy and announced plans to establish “Women’s Gateway to the Digital Economy” as an annual platform dedicated to empowering Gulf women and expanding their leadership role within the regional and global digital economy.
