UN Women and the Global Partnerships Forum celebrate women leaders

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Retno Marsudi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia (front left) receives the Women of Achievement Award from President of Global Partnerships Forum, Amir Dossal (center) and UN Women Deputy Executive Directory Lakshmi Puri. Photo: Aditya Wicaksono
Retno Marsudi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia (front left) receives the Women of Achievement Award from President of Global Partnerships Forum, Amir Dossal (center) and UN Women Deputy Executive Directory Lakshmi Puri. Photo: Aditya Wicaksono

On the occasion of the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly, UN Women and the Global Partnerships Forum jointly hosted a VIP luncheon, recognizing women leaders in public office for their pioneering work in achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment around the globe. The event also provided a platform for women pioneers in business and philanthropy to share their success stories.

The lunch celebrated the achievements of formidable women leaders by honouring them with the Agent of Change Award. The 2017 awardees have consistently been committed to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to the peace and security projects in their countries and beyond.

Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh, Permanent Representative of the UAE to the UN and Noura Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Director-General, General Women's Union of the UAE, receive the Agent of Change Award on behalf of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of General Women’s Union of UAE. They are joined in this photograph by Lakshmi Puri, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and Deputy Executive Director of UN Women; Amir Dossal, President of the Global Partnership Forum; Tas Dossal from the Global Partnership Forum; and the artist, Spar Street. Photo: Aditya Wicaksono
Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh, Permanent Representative of the UAE to the UN and Noura Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Director-General, General Women's Union of the UAE, receive the Agent of Change Award on behalf of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of General Women’s Union of UAE. They are joined in this photograph by Lakshmi Puri, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and Deputy Executive Director of UN Women; Amir Dossal, President of the Global Partnership Forum; Tas Dossal from the Global Partnership Forum; and the artist, Spar Street. Photo: Aditya Wicaksono

UN Women Deputy Executive Director Lakshmi Puri delivered the keynote address, and introduced the awardees, highlighting their achievements in the realization of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls’ as well as emphasizing their significant support, and that of their home countries to UN Women.

Ms. Puri underlined how the awardees “have become incredible role models for their country women and girls, and men and boys too, and serve as an inspiration across countries, regions and generations.”

President of Global Partnerships Forum, Amir Dossal, further recognized women leaders from business and civil society. He also thanked Ms. Puri and the UN Women team, for their collaboration, stating: “We are honoured to partner with UN Women to support their noble mission to accelerate action for SDG 5—the golden thread for all of the SDGs.”

Margot Wallström, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister of Sweden at the 'Celebrating Women of Achievement contributing to Sustainable Development, Peace and Security' event.
Margot Wallström, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister of Sweden at the "Celebrating Women of Achievement contributing to Sustainable Development, Peace and Security" event.

 

H.E. Ms. Tone Skogen, Deputy Foreign Minister of Norway, received the 2017 Agents of Change Award on behalf of the Prime Minister of Norway. Photo: UN Women
Tone Skogen, Deputy Foreign Minister of Norway, received the 2017 Agents of Change Award on behalf of the Prime Minister of Norway. Photo: UN Women

The agents of change honoured at this luncheon included: Erna Solberg, Prime Minister of Norway; Margot Wallström, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister of Sweden; Retno Marsudi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia; and Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of General Women’s Union of UAE.

The Agents of Change award, created in support of UN Women by renowned artist Spar Street, is an iconic crystal sculpture to capture the concept of movement and transformation, of striving and progress, for the achievement of gender equality and women’s empowerment.