The World Investment Forum, one of the largest investment forums in the world, organized by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and hosted by Abu Dhabi from October 16 to 20, will discuss the global investment landscape and the necessity of developing strategies and formulating innovative investment policies that contribute In facilitating the flow and direction of capital towards sustainable environmental and social development projects, with a focus on women’s empowerment.
The World Investment Forum, which is held under the slogan “Investing in Sustainable Development,” devotes its sessions during the second and third days to discussing the role of investment in achieving gender equality, which is the fifth goal of the Sustainable Development Goals, which is a basic human right and a major driver for achieving economic and sustainable development, where women’s empowerment and their access to equal opportunities in education, work, and political participation contribute to achieving development goals aimed at making a qualitative shift in various fields, according to the Emirates News Agency, WAM.
The eighth session of the forum, which will be held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC), will witness several dialogue sessions, interactive workshops, and accompanying events, to discuss global investment and development challenges, facilitate communication between leaders from different parts of the world, and stimulate cooperation and joint work between the government and private sectors to direct international trade operations and investments toward sustainable sectors.
The forum’s activities include organizing a dialogue session entitled “Investment Promotion Agencies and their Impact on Achieving Gender Equality” in cooperation with the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the most comprehensive intergovernmental platform in the Asia-Pacific region, to review the most prominent initiatives of investment promotion agencies to make an impact and contribute to achieving Gender equality in investment promotion and facilitation.
Investment promotion agencies are increasingly working to integrate gender equality and women’s empowerment into their various work, by facilitating the significant impact of foreign companies’ operations on gender equality in the host country’s economy, strengthening cross-gender linkages between multinational companies and local companies, in addition to empowering Women and promoting gender equality among those working in them.
Incorporating gender equality considerations into investment promotion and facilitation work contributes to attracting multinational companies that have a positive impact on women, especially in providing them with sustainable employment opportunities. Investment promotion agencies can work with government agencies to address the challenges facing women entrepreneurs and support them in building their business networks.
Organized in partnership with IFC and UN Women, the “Gender Equality in Corporate Leadership” session provides market leaders with an opportunity to discuss challenges and opportunities for achieving gender equality, and examines the role of stock markets and other key stakeholders in promoting gender equality within Their business circle, and also addresses the progress made in achieving gender balance on corporate boards and other leadership positions.
