Public Affairs

The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) and UN Women organized a panel discussion entitled “Advancing the Role of Women in International Security: Views from the Middle East” to discuss the progress towards gender equality in this field in the Middle East.

The panel was organized as a side event of the First Committee of the United Nations on 27 October 2021.

H.E. Ms. Nabeela Al-Mulla, former Ambassador of the State of Kuwait and distinguished lecturer at the American University of Kuwait (AUK) spoke about her experience in international security which was unique at the time and the current progress in greater participation by women in this field. She emphasised the importance of participation by women in making decisions in areas affecting their professional and private lives. 

H.E. Ms. Leena Al-Hadid, Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to Austria and Permanent Representative to the UN and other International Organizations in Vienna took part in the panel discussion. Taking part also were H.E. Ms. Lana Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister for Political Affairs and Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates to the UN in New York and Ms. Mona Ali Khalil, Director of MAK Law International. 

Participants in the panel were in agreement that there is room for more progress towards women’s participation in the field of international security and other diplomatic roles in support for gender equality in the Middle East.
  

H.E. Ms. Nabeela Al-Mulla, former Ambassador of the State of Kuwait and distinguished lecturer at AUK