Emine Erdogan Highlights Women’s Role in Shaping the Future at Dubai Global Women’s Forum
Dubai, The Gulf Observer: Turkish First Lady Emine Erdogan delivered a compelling opening speech at the Dubai Global Women’s Forum, emphasizing the need for inclusivity in technology design and production processes to create a better future.
The forum, held under the patronage of UAE Vice President, Prime Minister, and Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, commenced at Madinat Jumeirah with the theme “Power of Impact.” Erdogan’s address came at the special invitation of Sheikh Mohammed.
Highlighting the UAE’s position as a cultural intersection with a high foreign population, Erdogan noted the diversity of traditions, beliefs, and ideologies among attendees. “Despite all these distinctions, we are aware of this fact: As humanity, we are all walking together towards a common future on the same ship,” she said.
Erdogan spoke about rapid global transformations driven by digitalization and artificial intelligence, observing that the information produced in a week today equals a century’s worth in the past. “Artificial intelligence can reduce operations that used to take months to seconds,” she stated, adding that forecasts indicate significant changes to 20% of professions within three years.
She emphasized the urgent need for a shared roadmap, drawing attention to the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, particularly the principle of “leaving no one behind.” However, Erdogan expressed concern over the persistent underrepresentation of women in STEM fields, where they make up only 30% of the workforce and just 26% of AI professionals.
“Can humanity with one wing rise? Can it read such an uncertain future with one eye?” Erdogan asked, underscoring the need for gender parity. “Technologies not including women in design and production processes cannot lead us to a better future. They will only deepen existing injustices and reproduce problems.”
Erdogan praised Türkiye’s initiatives to empower women, including maternity leave policies, expanded paternity leave, and improved daycare facilities. She also commended the Dubai Women’s Organization, led by Sheikha Manal bint Rashid Al Maktoum, for its national nursery support and mentorship programs.
While stressing the irreplaceability of human essence by AI and robotics, Erdogan called for using technological power with conscience and wisdom. She highlighted pressing global issues, including the Gaza crisis and food insecurity, noting that nearly one billion people face hunger while 1.3 billion tons of food are wasted annually.
The Turkish First Lady concluded by expressing optimism about women’s role in shaping future societies grounded in empathy, mercy, and justice.
The two-day forum, attended by high-level officials, experts, and entrepreneurs, will feature discussions on “Future Economies, Future Societies,” “Collective Participations, Collective Actions,” and “Effective Technologies, Effective Innovations.”
Erdogan was accompanied by Turkish Family and Social Services Minister Mahinur Ozdemir Goktas and Türkiye’s Ambassador to Abu Dhabi, Tugay Tuncer.
