Washington: Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs, attended an event in Washington organized by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain to promote the HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa Global Award for Women's Empowerment 2026. The gathering was graced by Dr. Sima Sami Bahous, UN Under-Secretary-General and UN Women Executive Director, who is also the Chair of the Award's International Jury, and Shaikh Abdullah bin Rashid Al Khalifa, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to Washington, along with the embassy staff and numerous invited guests.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Shaikh Abdullah bin Rashid opened the event with a welcoming address, expressing pride in Bahrain's significant strides in advancing women's leadership, guided by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. He praised Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, President of the Supreme Council for Women, for translating this vision into sustainable policies and initiatives impacting locally, regionally, and internationally.
Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani emphasized the distinguished attendance, including members of the International Jury, as a reflection of the global prestige of the HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa Award. He highlighted Bahrain's regional leadership in promoting women's rights and participation, expressing pride in the achievements of Bahraini women in leadership positions across various sectors. The award, he noted, underscores Bahrain's commitment to highlighting women's contributions globally and supporting their empowerment.
In her remarks, Dr. Bahous reiterated UN Women's commitment to empowering women and girls worldwide. She praised HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim's exemplary role in advancing women's empowerment and highlighted UN Women's partnerships with governments to achieve tangible results, particularly in eliminating violence against women and girls and promoting women's participation in decision-making.
Dr. Bahous also acknowledged Bahrain's active role in the Executive Board of UN Women and as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2026-2027. She stressed the importance of continued cooperation with Bahrain and other countries to advance women's access to justice, a central theme for the upcoming 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. The event concluded with a presentation on the award's objectives and application process.