On 23 April 2025, UN Women convened over 330 participants from 220 private sector companies at the EmpowerHer Conference in Abu Dhabi. This event provided a platform for WEPs signatories to discuss best practices and lessons learned in relation to gender equality.
A key highlight of the day was the panel entitled “Women’s Empowerment Principles: How Businesses Can Advance Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in the Workplace, Marketplace, and Community.” This panel featured Sébastien Dorne, HR Director, Veolia Africa, Near & Middle East. He shared how Veolia has successfully applied the WEPs to promote women’s leadership in historically male-dominated sectors, offering concrete examples of programmes that empower women to lead innovation in the sustainability space.
In addition to this panel, the conference also included a presentation of the WEPs Gender-Responsive Procurement Assessment tool, providing companies with actionable guidance on advancing gender equality across the supply chain.
One of the most valuable insights from the conference was the impact of spotlighting current WEPs signatories. By giving companies like Veolia the platform to share their journeys, UN Women strengthens both the credibility and visibility of the WEPs initiative. These peer-to-peer exchanges foster trust, deepen engagement, and most importantly, inspire other companies to follow suit.
While enthusiasm for the WEPs is high, the path from commitment to full-scale implementation is not without obstacles. As shared during the conference, businesses often need customized support, continuous learning opportunities, and practical tools to embed gender equality across all facets of their operations.
The EmpowerHer Conference reaffirmed UN Women’s pivotal role in convening key stakeholders, facilitating dialogue, and translating high-level commitments into concrete corporate action. By providing the space, expertise, and tools to support private sector transformation, the conference not only celebrated progress, but set the stage for deeper, broader impact across the GCC and beyond.