Cherie Blair and Her Excellency Datin Paduka to Headline WIL Economic Forum in Dubai

• 16th Global Edition from 19-20 November to Focus on Gender Parity, Women’s Empowerment, Diversity and Inclusion

Dubai-UAE: 08 October, 2014 – naseba, a French business facilitation company with on-the-ground presence in major cities across the Middle East, Africa and Asia, today announced Cherie Blair, QC, CBE, Founder of the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women and wife of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, as well as Her Excellency Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor, wife of the Prime Minister of Malaysia, will headline the 16th global edition of the Women in Leadership (WIL) Economic Forum as keynote speakers.

Focusing on womenomics, Cherie Blair will discuss the global importance of women’s economic empowerment and offer solutions to the challenges that women entrepreneurs face in today’s dynamic business landscape. Her Excellency Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor, for her part, will address the need to redesign economies to ensure greater inclusiveness of women in societies.

To run in Dubai from 19-20 November at the Meydan Hotel under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Economy, the 16th edition of the forum will convene thought leaders from around the world to discuss issues on women’s empowerment. The event will primarily focus on diversity and inclusion strategies, women shaping the future of investments, the role of women in corporate governance, challenges faced by women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, as well as the media’s role in positioning women in business, politics and leadership.

Sophie Le Ray, Chief Executive Officer of naseba and Founder of the WIL Series, said: “We are delighted to have Cherie Blair and Her Excellency Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor headlining the 16th edition of the Global Women in Leadership Economic Forum. As global agents of change, the two thought leaders have dedicated their lives to promoting gender equality through community initiatives and advocacy.”

Ahead of the forum, Cherie Blair said: “It is vital that we support women’s economic empowerment if we want to see development and growth. My Foundation’s mission is just this – to provide women entrepreneurs in developing and emerging economies with confidence, capability and capital so they can grow their businesses, create employment opportunities, and have a stronger voice in their societies. I look forward to sharing some of my experiences at the WIL Economic Forum in Dubai.”

Her Excellency Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor, wife of the Hon Prime Minister of Malaysia, said: “The future world is certain to bring in unexpected challenges. However, it will also offer greater opportunity for the progress of humankind. More than ever before, women must use their influence, creativity and innovation to inspire changes in shaping the future of our world."

The WIL Forum’s series of initiatives has been actively promoting economic empowerment of women as well as diversity and inclusion in the workplace since its launch in 2009. The event is organized under the patronage of UAE Ministry of Economy and supported by the United Nations Global Compact, Women in Global Business and the GCC Board Directors Institute (BDI).

Representing GCC BDI at the forum is the institute’s Chairman Mutlaq Al Morished, who also serves as the Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Sabic Capital.
On their participation at the forum he noted “this forum is an excellent platform to raise awareness amongst seasoned business leaders on how to elevate governance standards and our Women on Boards initiative. There is a strong fit with the forum’s vision to promote women’s economic empowerment and diversity and inclusion in the workplace.”

Event sponsors for the 16th edition include multinational business organizations Pfizer, Roche, Coca-Cola, London Business School, FedEx, Turkish Airlines, AIG and APCO Worldwide.