Advancing Gender Balance Through the SDG 5 Pledge

January 28, 2026

AmCham Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with the UAE Gender Balance Council, convened a strategic, members-only webinar focused on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 5 Pledge — a national initiative aligned with the UAE Government’s commitment to advancing gender balance and women’s leadership across the private sector.

The session provided participating members with a structured overview of the SDG 5 Pledge framework, a voluntary commitment that brings together more than 70 leading private-sector companies dedicated to promoting gender balance and advancing women into leadership roles across the UAE.

Discussions examined how organizations can embed gender balance into their business strategies, including leadership representation, equitable compensation practices, transparent recruitment and promotion policies, and internal reporting mechanisms. The session also highlighted the measurable commitments associated with the pledge, including targets to increase women’s representation in mid- to senior-management roles by 2028 and to ensure equal pay and fair compensation practices.

The webinar opened with keynote remarks by Lina El Labban Lampkin, Chairwoman of AmCham Abu Dhabi, who emphasized the importance of sustained collaboration between the public and private sectors in advancing women’s participation and leadership in the workplace.

Representatives from the UAE Gender Balance Council outlined the national vision underpinning the SDG 5 Pledge and provided an overview of its implementation framework. Contributions included insights from Arwa Al Falasi, Director of Partnerships and Communication, and Lama Andari, Partnerships and Communications Expert, who detailed how organizations can align internal policies with national gender balance objectives.

The discussion also featured a private-sector perspective from Rima M., Co-Chair of AmCham Abu Dhabi’s Healthcare and Life Sciences Committee and Head of Policy and Advocacy, JANZ & Emerging Markets at Viatris. She shared practical insights on integrating gender balance into corporate strategy and fostering inclusive leadership cultures within multinational organizations.

Through initiatives such as this, AmCham Abu Dhabi continues to connect its members with national platforms and policy representatives, supporting informed dialogue, actionable commitments, and inclusive growth across the UAE business community.