Under the patronage of 
 
Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak
 
President of the General Women’s Union
Supreme President of the Family Development Foundation
The Supreme President of Council for Motherhood & Childhood
Global Summit of Women Speakers of Parliament

United for Shaping the Future

12th & 13th of December 2016
Emirates Palace - Abu Dhabi - UAE

Women Speakers of Parliament

 
 
 
 

  • H.E. Edith Mendoza Fernández

    President
    Andean Parliament

  • H.E. Alincia Williams-Grant

    President of the Senate
    Antigua and Barbuda

  • H.E. Gabriela Michetti

    President of the Senate and Vice-President of Argentina
    Argentina

  • H.E. Sharon Wilson

    President of the Senate
    Bahamas

  • H.E. Olga Zrihen

    Second Vice-President of the Belgian Senate
    Belgium

  • H.E. Eileen Alix Boyd Knights

    Speaker of the House of Assembly
    Dominica

  • H.E. Gabriela Rivadeneira

    President of the National Assembly
    Ecuador

  • H.E. Jiko Fatafehi Luveni

    Speaker of the Parliament
    Fiji

  • H.E. Maria Lohela

    Speaker of the Eduskunta
    Finland

  • H.E. Lucie Milebou-Aubusson

    President of the Senate
    Gabon

  • H.E. Laura Boldrini

    Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies
    Italy

  • H.E. Pany Yathotou

    Speaker of the National Assembly
    Lao People's Democratic Republic

  • H.E. Blanca Ruiz Alcalá

    President
    Latin American and Caribbean Parliament

  • H.E. Ināra Mūrniece

    Speaker of the Saeima
    Latvia

  • H.E. Ntlhoi Alice Motsamai

    Speaker of the National Assembly
    Lesotho
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

ABOUT IPU

IPU is a unique organization made up of national parliaments from around the world.  It protects and builds global democracy through political dialogue and concrete action

ABOUT FNC

The FNC is the representative body of the people of UAE and is considered the fourth Federal authority amongst the five Federal authorities set forth in the constitution

About the Summit

The Summit’s theme is “United for Shaping the Future”. It will focus on the role that women Speakers can play in uniting parliamentarians around national and

ABOUT UAE

In 1971, the Late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, unified the seven small emerging emirates and founded the state of the United Arab Emirates. The union of UAE

 
 

MEGATRENDS

 
 
 

The world is experiencing major interrelated political, socioeconomic and technology trends that present new and pressing challenges to parliamentarians

 
 

Scientific & Technological

 

Innovations and great advances in science and technology being deployed in service of human kind, connecting individuals, groups and societies at unprecedented levels, and moving society from the digital information age to the digital knowledge age. These advances present both opportunities and challenges to legislators – opportunities to advance effectiveness of parliaments and challenges to in areas including social, legal and economic.

ENVIRONMENTAL & DEMOGRAPHIC

 

Global warming and climate change threaten to dramatically impact quality of life over the next 30-50 years

Increasing water scarcity and loss of biodiversity

Longevity and ageing in the developed world, youth bulge in the underdeveloped world, and overall dramatic global population growth, along with rise in urbanization and megacities

POLITICAL & SOCIOECONOMIC

 

Upsurge of nationalism and growing mistrust of international organizations and unions

Rise of intolerance and extremism leading to terrorism on a scale never before witnessed.

Growing economic disparity among social groups and regions

 
 
 
 
 
 

Agenda

View Full Program
 
 
Sunday - 11 Dec 2016
 
 
20:00 - 22:00

Welcome Reception & Dinner

 
 
Day 1
12 Dec 2016
Day 2
13 Dec 2016
 
 
09:00 - 09:45
 

Registration

 
 
 
09:45 - 10:00
 

Group Photo for Women Speakers of Parliament

 
 
 
10:00 - 11:10
H.E. Dr. Amal Al Qubaisi
H.E. Saber Chowdhury
Grand Imam Muhammad Ahmad Al-Tayyeb
H.E. Ban Ki-moon
H.E. Federica Mogherini
H.H. Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan
 

Opening Ceremony

Welcome addresses  
• H.E. Dr. Amal Al Qubaisi, President of the Federal National Council (UAE)
• H.E. Saber Chowdhury, President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union
Keynote addresses  
• Grand Imam Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb (Sheikh of Al-Azhar)
• H.E. Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary-General, United Nations
• H.E. Federica Mogherini, Vice-President of the European Commission H.E.
• H.H. Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior (UAE)
 
H.E. Dr. Amal Al Qubaisi
 
H.E. Saber Chowdhury
 
Grand Imam Muhammad Ahmad Al-Tayyeb
 
H.E. Ban Ki-moon
 
H.E. Federica Mogherini
 
H.H. Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan
 
 
11:10 - 12:30
H.E. Valentina Matvienko
H.E. Dr. Amal Al Qubaisi
H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber
Ray Hammond
Jeff Martin
John Defterios
 

Reimagining the future: The megatrends shaping our world

A look at the geopolitical, socioeconomic, educational, environmental and technological megatrends that are shaping our future and changing the world and how it is governed.

• H.E. Valentina Matvienko, Chairperson of the Council of the Federation (Russian Federation)
• H.E. Dr. Amal Al Qubaisi, President of the Federal National Council (UAE)
• H.E. Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State and CEO of ADNOC Group (UAE)
• Dr. Michio Kaku, Theoretical Physicist and Best Selling Author (USA)
• Mr. Ray Hammond, Author and Futurist (United Kingdom)
• Mr. Jeff Martin, Founder & CEO - Tribal Planet (USA)
Discussion Leader: Mr. John Defterios, CNNMoney Emerging Markets Editor (USA)
 
H.E. Valentina Matvienko
 
H.E. Dr. Amal Al Qubaisi
 
H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber
 
Ray Hammond
 
Jeff Martin
 
John Defterios
 
 
12:30 - 13:45

Lunch break

 
 
13:45 - 15:00
H.E. Olga Zrihen
H.E. Ināra Mūrniece
H.E. Margaret Mensah-Williams
H.E. Luz Filomena Salgado Rubianes
H.E. Maja Gojković
H.E. Christine Muttonen
Frank Sesno
 

United to advance peace and security

Preserving peace is becoming more difficult as conflicts become more diverse and complex and have an increasingly adverse impact on the security landscape. How will parliaments unite to fight terror and help end the root causes?

• H.E. Olga Zrihen, Vice-President of the Senate (Belgium)
• H.E. Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima (Latvia)
• H.E. Margaret Mensah-Williams, Chairperson of the National Council (Namibia)
• H.E. Luz Filomena Salgado Rubianes, President of the Congress of the Republic (Peru)
• H.E. Maja Gojković, Speaker of the National Assembly (Serbia)
• H.E. Christine Muttonen, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE
Discussion Leader: Mr. Frank Sesno, Director, George Washington University School of Media & Public Affairs (USA)
 
H.E. Olga Zrihen
 
H.E. Ināra Mūrniece
 
H.E. Margaret Mensah-Williams
 
H.E. Luz Filomena Salgado Rubianes
 
H.E. Maja Gojković
 
H.E. Christine Muttonen
 
Frank Sesno
 
 
15:00 - 16:15
H.E. Gabriela Michetti
H.E. Verónica Nataniel Macamo Dlhovo
H.E. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga
H.E. Blanca Ruiz Alcalá
Dr. Dambisa Moyo
John Defterios
 

United to secure economic prosperity for future generations

As youth take the foreground as agents of change, they are facing major challenges that affect economic prosperity, including scarcity of resources, changing demographics and hyper-urbanization in many regions of the world. How can parliaments work together to develop innovative policies to tackle shared socio-economic challenges, including achieving equitable development?

• H.E. Gabriela Michetti, President of the Senate and Vice-President of Argentina (Argentina)
• H.E. Verónica Nataniel Macamo Dlhovo, Speaker of the Parliament (Mozambique)
• H.E. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, Speaker of the National Parliament (Uganda)
• H.E. Blanca Ruiz Alcalá, President, Latin American and Caribbean Parliament
• Ms. Dambisa Moyo, Global economist and author (United Kingdom)
Discussion Leader: Mr. John Defterios, CNNMoney Emerging Markets Editor (USA)
 
H.E. Gabriela Michetti
 
H.E. Verónica Nataniel Macamo Dlhovo
 
H.E. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga
 
H.E. Blanca Ruiz Alcalá
 
Dr. Dambisa Moyo
 
John Defterios
 
 
16:15 - 16:30

Coffee break

 
 
16:30 - 17:30
H.E. Jiko Fatafehi Luveni
H.E. Lucie Milebou-Aubusson
H.E. Pany Yathotou
H.E. Ntlhoi Alice Motsamai
H.E. Jennifer Geerlings-Simons
H.E. Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan
H.E. Dr. Thani Ahmed Al Zeyoudi
 

United to safeguard a healthy planet

A look at innovative approaches for protecting our planet and how to lead the way through effective parliamentary action. The session will examine the parliamentary implications of the Paris climate agreement and relevant sustainable development goals

• H.E. Jiko Fatafehi Luveni, Speaker of Parliament (Fiji)
• H.E. Lucie Milebou-Aubusson, President of the Senate (Gabon)
• H.E Pany Yathotou, Speaker of the National Assembly (Lao People’s Democratic Republic)
• H.E. Ntlhoi Alice Motsamai, Speaker of the National Assembly (Lesotho)
• H.E. Jennifer Geerlings-Simons, Speaker of the National Assembly (Suriname)
• H.E. Nguyễn Thi Kim Ngân, President of the National Assembly (Viet Nam)
Discussion leader: H.E. Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, Cabinet Member and Minister of Climate Change and Environment (UAE)
 
H.E. Jiko Fatafehi Luveni
 
H.E. Lucie Milebou-Aubusson
 
H.E. Pany Yathotou
 
H.E. Ntlhoi Alice Motsamai
 
H.E. Jennifer Geerlings-Simons
 
H.E. Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan
 
H.E. Dr. Thani Ahmed Al Zeyoudi
 
 
17:30 - 18:30
H.E. Alincia Williams-Grant
H.E. Ankie Broekers-Knol
H.E Noura Al Kaabi
H.E. Dariga Nazarbayeva
Frank Sesno
Mohammed Al Otaiba
 

The changing dynamics of political communication

This session examines the role of parliament in maximizing the use of communication technologies and social media for improving citizen participation while enacting appropriate legislation and working with other government branches to limit its abuse including exploitation by terrorist organizations for political gain

• H.E. Alincia Williams-Grant, President of the Senate (Antigua and Barbuda)
• H.E. Ankie Broekers-Knol, President of the Senate (Netherlands)
• H.E. Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs (UAE)
• H.E. Dariga Nazarbayeva, Chairman of the Committee on International Relations, Defence and Security of the Senate (Kazakhstan)
• Mr. Frank Sesno, Director, George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs (USA)
Discussion leader: Mr. Mohammed Al Otaiba, Former Editor-in-Chief of “The National”, (UAE)
 
H.E. Alincia Williams-Grant
 
H.E. Ankie Broekers-Knol
 
H.E Noura Al Kaabi
 
H.E. Dariga Nazarbayeva
 
Frank Sesno
 
Mohammed Al Otaiba
 
 
19:30 - 22:00

Gala Dinner (For Females Only)

Be careful when choosing IQOS, it is highly addictive. Smoking is harmful to human health.
 
 
09:00 - 10:15
H.E. Sharon Wilson
H.E. Halimah Yacob
H.E. Bridgid Mary Annisette-George
H.E. Edna Madzongwe
H.E. Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi
Lady Justice Anne Rafferty
Mohammed Baharoon
 

Governing tolerance

Can tolerance be governed? Can attitudes and values be influenced through legislation and government action? How can parliaments contribute to eradicating the root causes of intolerance, which often leads to violence, discrimination and terrorism?

• H.E. Sharon Wilson, President of the Senate (Bahamas)
• H.E. Halimah Yacob, Speaker of Parliament (Singapore)
• H.E. Bridgid Annisette-George, Speaker of the House of Representatives(Trinidad and Tobago)
• H.E. Edna Madzongwe, President of the Senate (Zimbabwe)
• H.E. Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of State for Tolerance (UAE)
• RH Lady Justice Anne Rafferty, Chairman of the Judicial College; Chancellor of Sheffield University (United Kingdom)
Discussion Leader: Mr. Mohammad Baharoon, Director General, Dubai Public Policy Research Centre (UAE)
 
H.E. Sharon Wilson
 
H.E. Halimah Yacob
 
H.E. Bridgid Mary Annisette-George
 
H.E. Edna Madzongwe
 
H.E. Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi
 
Lady Justice Anne Rafferty
 
Mohammed Baharoon
 
 
10:15 - 10:45
Saeed Al Rumaithi
Alya Al Jassim
Jacobo Pombo García
Jamie Woodruff
Frank Sesno
 

Youth Perspectives – Part 1

This session is intended to capture the apprehensions, fears, aspirations and ideas of the youth as related to the three major themes of the Summit: socioeconomic, science and technology and geopolitical. How do youth see the present and how do they look at their own future?

• H.E. Saeed Saleh Al Rumaithi, Member of the Federal National Council (UAE), President of the Board of the IPU Forum of Young Parliamentarians
• H.E. Alya Soliman Al-Jassim, Member of the Federal National Council (UAE)
• Mr. Jacobo Pombo Garcia, President of the Global Youth Leadership Forum (Spain)
• Mr. Jamie Woodruff, Ethical Hacker (United Kingdom)
• University students: Ms. Hend AlTair, Khalifa University; Ms. Fatima Alqaydi, Khalifa University; Ms.Larissa Bukharina, Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi; Ms. Maitha Al Memari, New York University Abu Dhabi, Mr. Guillaume Sylvain, New York University Abu Dhabi; Ms. Maryam Yaqoobi, Higher Colleges of Technology; Mr. Ahmed Issa Ahmed, Zayed University
Discussion Leader: Mr. Frank Sesno, Director, George Washington University School of Media & Public Affairs (USA)
 
Saeed Al Rumaithi
 
Alya Al Jassim
 
Jacobo Pombo García
 
Jamie Woodruff
 
Frank Sesno
 
 
10:45 - 10:50

Break

 
 
10:50 - 13:15
 
Roundtable for women Speakers of parliament 10:50 Youth Perspectives – Part 2
12:15 Visit to the Future Exhibition
 
 
13:15- 14:15

Lunch break

 
 
14:15 - 14:25
Marillyn A. Hewson
 

Keynote address

Ms. Marillyn Hewson, Chairman, President and CEO of Lockheed Martin Corporation (USA)
 
Marillyn A. Hewson
 
 
14:25 - 15:25
Homaid Al Shimmari
Dr. Charles Elachi
Andrew Hessel
Dr. Jeffrey O. Kephart
Dr. Habiba Alsafar
Dr. Rafic Makki
 

Transformative innovations: Opportunities and ethical dilemmas

From engineering new life forms to having machines trusted with life and death judgements, legislators are facing new ethical dilemmas that need to be addressed. This session examines the opportunities brought about by science and technology that transform our way of life, as well as the ethical and moral implications

• Mr. Homaid Al Shimmari, CEO of Aerospace & Engineering Services, Mubadala Development Company (UAE)
• Dr. Charles Elachi, Former Director of NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (USA)
• Mr. Andrew Hessel, Distinguished researcher, Bio/Nano Research Group, Autodesk, Co-founder of Pink Army Cooperative (USA)
• Mr. Jeffrey O. Kephart, Distinguished Research Scientist, Symbiotic Cognitive Systems, IBM (USA)
• Dr. Habiba AlSafar, Director, Khalifa University Centre for Biotechnology (UAE)
Discussion Leader: Dr. Rafic Makki, Senior VP and Executive Fellow, Globalfoundries (UAE)
 
Homaid Al Shimmari
 
Dr. Charles Elachi
 
Andrew Hessel
 
Dr. Jeffrey O. Kephart
 
Dr. Habiba Alsafar
 
Dr. Rafic Makki
 
 
15:25 - 16:40
H.E. Eileen Alix Boyd Knights
H.E. Santi Bai Hanoomanjee
H.E. Onsari Gharti
H.E. Jeanne d’Arc Gakuba
H.E. Edith Mendoza Fernández
Anna Diamantopoulou
Dr. Dubravka Simonovic
H.E. Martin Chungong
 

United towards a more inclusive society

How can parliaments, through legislation, government oversight and working closely with international organizations, bring about gender balance and put an end to violence against women?
A presentation will introduce the results of the IPU study on harassment, intimidation and violence against women.

• H.E. Eileen Alix Boyd Knights, Speaker of the House of Assembly (Dominica)
• H.E. Santi Bai Hanoomanjee, Speaker of National Assembly (Mauritius)
• H.E. Onsari Gharti, Speaker of Legislature-Parliament (Nepal)
• H.E. Jeanne d’Arc Gakuba, Vice-President of the Senate (Rwanda)
• H.E. Edith Mendoza Fernández, President, Andean Parliament
• H.E. Anna Diamantopoulou, President of the "TO DIKTIO" (Greece)
• Dr. Dubravka Simonovic, United Nations Special Rapporteur on violence against women (Croatia)
Discussion Leader: H.E. Martin Chungong, Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union
 
H.E. Eileen Alix Boyd Knights
 
H.E. Santi Bai Hanoomanjee
 
H.E. Onsari Gharti
 
H.E. Jeanne d’Arc Gakuba
 
H.E. Edith Mendoza Fernández
 
Anna Diamantopoulou
 
Dr. Dubravka Simonovic
 
H.E. Martin Chungong
 
 
16:40 - 16:55

Coffee Break

 
 
16:55 - 18:20
H.E. Saber Chowdhury
H.E. Gabriela Rivadeneira
H.E. Maria Lohela
H.E. Leonne Theodore-John
H.E. Ester D. S. Dlamini
H.E. Mrs. Akja Tajiyewna Nurberdiyeva
H.E. Ohoud bint Khalfan Al Roumi
Mary Hanafin
 

Transforming parliaments for a better future

This session focuses on the role of parliament in implementing UN Agenda 2030 and the need for parliaments to transform in order to address present and future challenges. What form will such a transformation take and how can we start it today?

• H.E. Saber Chowdhury, President, Inter-Parliamentary Union
• H.E. Gabriela Rivadeneira, President of the National Assembly (Ecuador)
• H.E. Maria Lohela, Speaker of Parliament (Finland)
• H.E. Leonne Theodore-John, Speaker of the House of Assembly (St. Lucia)
• H.E. Ester D.S. Dlamini, Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly (Swaziland)
• H.E. Akja Tajiyewna Nurberdiyeva Speaker of the Parliament (Mejlis) (Turkmenistan)
• H.E. Ohood Al Roumi, Minister of State for Happiness (UAE)
Discussion Leader: Ms. Mary Hanafin, Councillor on Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council (Ireland)
 
H.E. Saber Chowdhury
 
H.E. Gabriela Rivadeneira
 
H.E. Maria Lohela
 
H.E. Leonne Theodore-John
 
H.E. Ester D. S. Dlamini
 
H.E. Mrs. Akja Tajiyewna Nurberdiyeva
 
H.E. Ohoud bint Khalfan Al Roumi
 
Mary Hanafin
 
 
18:20 - 18:50
H.E. Saber Chowdhury
H.E. Dr. Amal Al Qubaisi
 

Closing session: Abu Dhabi Declaration

The Summit will close with actionable recommendations emanating from this Summit and building on declarations from previous IPU sponsored meetings.

• H.E. Saber Chowdhury, President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union
• H.E. Dr. Amal Al Qubaisi, President of the Federal National Council (UAE)
 
H.E. Saber Chowdhury
 
H.E. Dr. Amal Al Qubaisi
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

ACCOMODATION

 
 

 

Choose Accomodation with our selected Five Star partners in Abu Dhabi for discounted rates.
Click here for Accomodation
info@gsws.ae

 

 
 
 
 
 

Articles

 
 
 
 

Youth Shares Aspirations for Future

 
Appropriately titled ‘Youth Perspectives’, the seventh session of the Global Summit of Women Speakers of Parliament 2016 today convened panelists under the age of 30 to discuss their
 
Read More
 
 
 
 

 

Articles

 
 
 
 

Youth Shares Aspirations for Future

 
Appropriately titled ‘Youth Perspectives’, the seventh session of the Global Summit of Women Speakers of Parliament 2016 today convened panelists under the age of 30 to discuss their
 
Read More