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Women central to peace in the Middle East, Abu Dhabi Summi

© Goltune, 2016 women and peace, a portrait

Summary: About 50 women members of parliament met in Abu Dhabi to discuss challenges women face to rebuild their communities after conflict

Source: The National

Writer: Hannin Dajani

ABU DHABI –  Women members of parliament have an important role in brokering peace in the Middle East and beyond, a conference heard on Monday.

About 50 women who preside over parliaments met in Abu Dhabi for the Global Summit of Women Speakers of Parliament.

For the first time men were invited to participate, including Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Minister of Interior and Deputy Prime Minister, who spoke about the challenges facing the world.

 Just as the UAE was preparing for a post-oil future, other challenges could be turned to opportunities, Sheikh Saif said. “Today the world speaks more of challenges than hopes.”

He quoted Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, who had said “we will celebrate the last shipment of oil that will exit the UAE”.

“This is a transformation of a challenge into an opportunity,” Sheikh Saif said.

 Other issues facing the world included growing scarcity of natural resources and energy, income equality and unsustainable debt, he said.
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