Held exclusively for representatives of DMCC’s 15,000 member companies, the event theme was “Equality Makes Business - Empowering Women in the Workplace, Marketplace and Community” with the objective of raising awareness and outlining the business case for eradicating all forms of discrimination against all women and girls.

DMCC’s Executive Director, Free Zone, Krysta Fox delivered the event’s keynote address and opened saying:

“Today, DMCC wants to place gender equality on the agenda more firmly than we have ever done before, and spread the message to our incredible network of world-leading member companies.”

Gender equality is Goal 5 of the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and this was the focus of much discussion among over 100 delegates in attendance.

Ayla Bajwa, Senior Advisor, UN Global Compact UAE Local Network also delivered a keynote speech, with Iris Van Der Veken, Director of International Public Affairs, DMCC; David Mackenzie, Managing Director, Mackenzie Jones Group; Alice Laugher, CEO, CTG (and Chair WEPs Taskforce) and Swati Randev-Verma, Manager – Corporate Responsibility, Sustainability and Engagement at PwC Middle East all joining a panel discussion.

The event comes as part of DMCC’s ongoing programme to raise awareness of sustainability, and encourage its member companies to join the global cause.