In a powerful demonstration of commitment to gender equality in the workplace, the UAE Gender Balance Council hosted the signing of the Gender Equality Acceleration Pledge on the first day of the Global Women’s Forum Dubai 2024. This pioneering initiative brings together leaders from some of the UAE’s most influential organisations to accelerate the representation of women in leadership roles and champion equality at all levels of decision-making.

Representatives of seven prominent organisations signed the pledge; Yaser Almazrouei, Executive Director, People, Commercial & Corporate Support at ADNOC; Vinod Jayan, Managing Director, Al-Futtaim IKEA, UAE, Qatar, Egypt, Oman; Dr. Yasar Jarrar, Managing Partner, Posterity Institute & Secretary-General, CSO Network; Vijaypal Singh Bains, Group Chief Sustainability Officer at Emirates NBD; Balaji Nagabhushan, Group Chief Administrative Officer at Tristar Group; Dr. Nabil AlYousuf, International Advisory Group (IAG) and Zainab Alsaffar, Chief Human Resource Officer of Mediclinic Middle East.

Driving Change for Gender Equality 

The Gender Equality Acceleration Pledge underscores the UAE’s unwavering commitment to advancing gender equality as a national priority. The signatories have pledged to work towards ensuring that 30% of middle and senior management roles are occupied by women by 2028. This target aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 5 which calls for the full and effective participation of women in leadership positions globally.

Yaser Almazrouei, Executive Director, People, Commercial & Corporate Support at ADNOC, said: “As a proud signatory of the UN SDG 5 Pledge, ADNOC is committed to driving greater gender diversity across our organisation. This commitment is not just an ethical imperative but also a strategic priority that helps future-proof our business while fostering a more inclusive and sustainable future for the energy industry.”

Vinod Jayan, Managing Director, Al-Futtaim IKEA, UAE,Qatar, Egypt, Oman, said: “At Al-Futtaim IKEA, equality is at the core of who we are and how we grow. We are honoured to join the UAE Gender Balance Council in the second phase of the SDG 5 Pledge, reflecting our commitment to advancing gender equality in the UAE.”

Vinod Jayan also said: “With 31% of our workforce being women and 24% in senior leadership roles, we take pride in fostering an inclusive culture where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. This pledge is a significant step towards achieving 30% women’s representation in senior roles by 2028, and we are proud to contribute to this important milestone.

“We extend our gratitude to Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the UAE Gender Balance Council for their leadership in driving progress, and we remain dedicated to creating a more balanced and inclusive future alongside our industry peers.” Concluded Vinod Jayan.

For his part, Dr. Yasar Jarrar, Managing Partner, Posterity Institute & Secretary-General, CSO Network, said: “The signing of the SDG 5 pledge represents a significant milestone in advancing gender equity, a cornerstone for sustainable and inclusive growth. This commitment by the CSO Network underscores a shared vision to ensure that by 2030, we create workplaces where talent and leadership are defined by ability, not gender.”

He continued: “As Secretary-General of the CSO Network, I am inspired by the private sector’s proactive leadership in driving measurable change. Across industries, organizations are implementing clear targets and innovative policies to close gender gaps, promote transparency, and build systems that empower women to lead. This initiative exemplifies how collaboration and accountability can catalyze systemic transformation – This pledge is more than a commitment to a UN goal—it is a forward-looking movement to redefine organizational cultures, challenge entrenched norms, and align leadership structures with the diverse talent that exists within our societies. Studies show that companies with more diverse leadership outperform their peers by up to 25%—a clear indication that inclusion is not only fair but also strategic.”

Dr. Yasar Jarrar concluded by saying: “Together, we are shaping a future where equity is not just a vision but a reality—one that will leave a lasting legacy of progress and prosperity for generations to come. It is an honour to stand with leaders and organizations dedicated to making this vision a reality.”

Dr. Nabil Alyousuf, CEO, International Advisory Group (IAG) said; “The signing of the SDG 5 initiative represents a transformative milestone in our collective effort to advance gender equality across the region. As a leading advisory firm, at IAG, we firmly believe that empowering women in leadership roles and fostering a workplace culture of equal opportunity are critical to building a more inclusive and sustainable future. This initiative is not merely symbolic—it is a demonstration of our commitment to driving meaningful and measurable change.”

Dr. Nabil Alyousuf continued: “By aligning our efforts with the UAE’s national priorities and global sustainable development goals, we are taking concrete steps to bridge gaps, dismantle barriers, and create pathways for women to thrive as leaders and innovators. At IAG, we are deeply committed to empowering women and fostering their advancement within our organization. Women hold some of the highest leadership positions at our firm, reflecting our dedication to gender equality. Additionally, we prioritize work-life balance, enabling women to excel in their careers while also attending to their family responsibilities”

“Mediclinic is honoured to demonstrate its commitment to gender equality by signing the SDG 5 pledge to accelerate women’s leadership in the UAE private sector.  More than possibly any other industry, healthcare is reliant on a strong female workforce, and as an employer we are proud that three-quarters of the Group’s employees are women.  As a healthcare provider, we are also committed to providing exceptional care for women’s unique health needs.” Said Hein van Eck, CEO, Mediclinic Middle East.

The pledge focuses on actionable steps, including equal pay initiatives, gender-equitable recruitment practices, mentorship programs, and the elimination of unconscious bias. Companies must transparently report their progress to the UAE Gender Balance Council annually, reinforcing accountability and driving measurable change.

A Vision of Empowerment 

Her Excellency Mona Al Marri, Vice President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, emphasised the transformative impact of such initiatives: “The Gender Equality Acceleration Pledge exemplifies the UAE’s leadership in fostering a future where women’s potential is fully realised. True gender equality is not just a goal but a cornerstone of sustainable development, innovation, and progress. Together, we pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable future.”

The pledge builds on the UAE’s 2018 Equal Pay law and the nation’s efforts to promote gender equality in alignment with international best practices. By collaborating with global organisations such as the ILO, UNGC, and UN Women, the UAE is setting a benchmark for gender balance in the private sector.