Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, minister of development and international cooperation, and the first UAE female cabinet minister, will join a panel discussion on the role of women in the gas and oil industry during this year’s Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC). The topic will come under the spotlight at the region’s largest gas and oil event, which takes place from 10-13 November at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).
Entitled ‘A Journey to Leadership’ the panel will address the challenges associated with female empowerment in a traditionally male-dominated industry by highlighting the careers of women who have succeeded despite inherent obstacles. Sheikha Lubna will be joined on the panel by Marie Haga, Executive Director, Global Crop Diversity Trust and former Norwegian Minister of Petroleum and Energy, and Sumayya Hassan-Athamani, the CEO of Kenya National Oil Corporation. The panel will be moderated by Eithne Treanor, a specialist energy consultant.
Speaking ahead of the event, Sheikha Lubna said: “Encouraged by the UAE’s wise leadership, the success of women in business in the UAE emphasizes a collective desire to break down barriers to female empowerment. Most of the challenges I have faced during my career have involved convincing people that a woman can truly succeed in a man’s world.”
