‘Our country is built on openness and tolerance’

Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh, permanent representative of the UAE to the United Nations, delivered a briefing on the Middle East from the UAE’s perspective at the Women’s Leadership Board spring meeting at the John F Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in Massachusetts on Friday.

Ms Nusseibeh drew comparisons between the United States and the UAE, saying: “Our country is built on foundational principles of openness and tolerance, where over 200 nationalities and people from all religions coexist peacefully”.

Ms Nusseibeh emphasised the important role of the UAE’s leadership in enshrining equality, social justice and equality of opportunity in the constitution. The ambassador noted the important contribution of women’s education to the UAE.

“High numbers of women graduating from university have created positive effects for the economy, stability and security and in building the country’s knowledge economy,” she said.

She said that in 2012, the UAE introduced compulsory legislation requiring female board members in every company and government agency.

The ambassador also addressed the current situation in the Middle East and the challenges that have resulted from the rise in conflict across the region, which have forced about 14 million people to flee from Iraq and Syria. She commended the UN’s efforts in combating the Ebola pandemic, responding to the devastating earthquake in Nepal and working towards agreement on the sustainable development goals.