Insight Dubai Conference

Guest Speaker

Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi
Minister for Foreign Trade, United Arab Emirates

Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi has been one of the most easily recognisable government officials of the United Arab Emirates, primarily because of her numerous groundbreaking achievements in both the public and private sectors. Her global prominence was highlighted recently when she was named among the 2009 Forbes List of the 100 Most Powerful Women in the World.

As one of the country's pioneering women professionals in the field of computer engineering, Sheikha Lubna has had extensive experience in handling several technical responsibilities with a number of highly reputed firms, which ultimately led her to a coveted post at Dubai Ports Authority. Sheikha Lubna has also showcased her exceptional management skills in the corporate world when she was named CEO of Tejari (www.tejari.com), which she guided to become the premier electronic business-to-business marketplace for emerging markets and where she now serves as a board member.
In her relatively new role as a high-ranking government official, Sheikha Lubna's unique brand of leadership continued to sparkle when she spearheaded the UAE's Ministry of Economy during one of the country's most economically prosperous periods in history. Additionally, Sheikha Lubna's appointment in November 2004 to manage what was then the UAE’s newly merged economy and planning portfolio was a historic event for the UAE as she became the first woman ever in the country to assume a cabinet position.

Moreover, Sheikha Lubna was also appointed Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the UAE's Securities & Commodities Authority, serving from 2004 until 2008. Following her historic tenure as Minister of Economy, Sheikha Lubna was appointed in February 2008 to another highly sensitive post as Minister for Foreign Trade.
Her leadership abilities have again been tapped, this time to help guide the growth of the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), the organization charged with the ownership, construction and operation of nuclear power plants as part of the UAE’s peaceful, civil nuclear energy program. ENEC will also serve as an investment arm of the government of Abu Dhabi, and will make strategic investments in collaboration with foreign partners in the nuclear sector, both domestically and internationally. Sheikha Lubna has been appointed Deputy Chairman of ENEC’s Board of Directors .

Sheikha Lubna's meteoric rise as one of the country's most prominent government officials started after she was honoured with the “Distinguished Government Employee Award” in 1999. Immediately thereafter, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, appointed her as head of Tejari at the launch of the marketplace in 2000.

Prior to managing Tejari, Sheikha Lubna was the senior manager of the Information Systems department at Dubai Ports Authority (DPA), a position she held for more than seven years. Before joining DPA, Sheikha Lubna acted as the Dubai branch manager for the General Information Authority, the organization responsible for automating the Federal Government of the UAE. In 2001, Sheikha Lubna was appointed as head of the Dubai e-Government executive team, which was responsible for instituting e-Government initiatives throughout the public sector.

Sheikha Lubna's expertise and leadership skills have been honed by over 20 years of information technology and management experience in the Middle East region. Sheikha Lubna holds a Bachelor of Science degree from California State University of Chico, and an Executive MBA from the American University of Sharjah.

Sheikha Lubna is a co-author of “The Diffusion of E-commerce in Developing Economies: A Resource-based Approach” with Dr. Zeinab Karake Shalhoub, Professor of Management Information Systems at the American University of Sharjah. The book provides a timely and valuable perspective on the impact of technology and the Internet on today’s business environments and global development, particularly in emerging countries.

Humanitarian & social responsibility work and board positions:

Sheikha Lubna volunteers extensively with the “Friends of Cancer Patients” Society.
She is currently serves as a Board Member for the following organizations:

Trustees for Thunderbird, The American Graduate School of International Management, Phoenix Arizona
Board of Directors, Emirates Foundation-Abu Dhabi for Philanthropy
Board of Trustees, Dubai School of Government
Board Member, "Friends of Cancer Patients"
Board of Governors, Capital Club, Dubai

Recognitions and awards for her role in politics and good governance

In recognition of Her Excellency's contributions in so many fields, leading Universities around the world have acknowledged her efforts. Recently she has been bestowed an Honorary Doctorate of Science for in recognition of her valuable contributions in the field of Science & Technology. Furthermore, Her Excellency was bestowed an Honorary Doctorate of Laws (LLD) degree by the University of Exceter on January 23, 2010 in recognition of her valuable contributions to trade law and the empowerment of Arab Muslim women.
Sheikha Lubna was conferred the Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur on June 8, 2009 by Nicolas Sarkozy, President of France. Created by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, the Légion d'Honneur is the highest French distinction that can be bestowed on a citizen or a foreigner. The Minister was recognized for her extraordinary achievements as a public servant of the UAE and for her invaluable role in enhancing her country’s foreign relations.
In October 2009, Pio Manzu has awarded Her Excellency the Italian President Gold Medal, which is one of the prestigious awards in Italy. The award has been given in recognition to her continuous efforts for economic development and future growth as well as her support to the women issues and rural areas development.
As a tribute to her contribution to enhancing ties between the UAE and Italy, particularly in economic and trade cooperation, in March 2008 Sheikha Lubna was awarded "Grande Ufficiale" (Grand Official) of the Order of the Star of the Italian Solidarity of the Italian Republic. The award, which was created in 1947 and is the highest Italian Official Decoration Order, is dedicated by the Italian President of the Republic to highly distinguished Foreign Authorities in the light of their commitment towards the improvement of the relations of their home country with Italy.
In 2007, Forbes magazine recognized Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi as one of the 100 most powerful women in the world, commending her work to build trade relations and promote the ‘brand’ of the UAE.
The Times UK newspaper included Sheikha Lubna in its Gulf Power 25 list of 2007, for her leading role in economic diversification and fostering trade relations.
The Wall Street Journal recognized Sheikha Lubna as one of its “50 international women to watch”, calling her ‘one of the Mideast’s highest-profile movers and shakers.’
In 2007, she became the first Arab woman to receive the Italian ‘Stella Re' prize, awarded annually to just one woman throughout the world who strives to make a difference to contemporary society and culture through her innovative work, dedication and ideas.
Sheikha Lubna was recognized for her work in building the Tejari brand by receiving a leadership award at the 16th Asia Brand Congress in India during September 2007.
She was also recognized in May 2005 by Women News in New York as one of 21 leaders in the twenty-first century.
Sheikha Lubna was welcomed as an Honorary Member of the American Business Council in Dubai in 2001.

Sheikha Lubna has also received numerous awards for her other personal achievements, including:

Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry’s Ladies Organization International Woman Achiever Award – 2008, in appreciation for her role in personal & professional development of women in the UAE and the world
Vital Voices Global Trailblazer Award in the USA, for her exceptional leadership in the Middle East and her profound influence on future generations of Arab Muslim female decision makers – 2008 (www.vitalvoices.org)
Premio Minerva Italian Award for her outstanding contribution in politics & economy - 2005
ITP- Arab Technology Awards for 'Outstanding Contribution to E-Commerce' - 2005
American Business Council of Dubai & the Northern Emirates: American Business Award 2004
United Kingdom’s House of Lords: Entrepreneurship Award 2004
Commonwealth of Kentucky: Honorary title: “Kentucky Colonel” 2003
Datamatix: Outstanding Contribution year 2002
Datamatix: IT Woman of the year 2001
Business. Com: Personal Contribution Award year 2001
Dubai Quality Group: For Support to Leadership, Quality, and Change year 2000
ITP: The Best Personal Achievement Award year 2000

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		Conference for young women around the world 18 - 23 March 2012 Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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	Guest Speaker Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi Minister for Foreign Trade, United Arab Emirates Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi has been one of the most easily recognisable government officials of the United Arab Emirates, primarily because of her numerous groundbreaking achievements in both the public and private sectors. Her global prominence was highlighted recently when she was named among the 2009 Forbes List of the 100 Most Powerful Women in the World. As one of the country's pioneering women professionals in the field of computer engineering, Sheikha Lubna has had extensive experience in handling several technical responsibilities with a number of highly reputed firms, which ultimately led her to a coveted post at Dubai Ports Authority. Sheikha Lubna has also showcased her exceptional management skills in the corporate world when she was named CEO of Tejari (www.tejari.com), which she guided to become the premier electronic business-to-business marketplace for emerging markets and where she now serves as a board member. In her relatively new role as a high-ranking government official, Sheikha Lubna's unique brand of leadership continued to sparkle when she spearheaded the UAE's Ministry of Economy during one of the country's most economically prosperous periods in history. Additionally, Sheikha Lubna's appointment in November 2004 to manage what was then the UAE’s newly merged economy and planning portfolio was a historic event for the UAE as she became the first woman ever in the country to assume a cabinet position. Moreover, Sheikha Lubna was also appointed Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the UAE's Securities & Commodities Authority, serving from 2004 until 2008. Following her historic tenure as Minister of Economy, Sheikha Lubna was appointed in February 2008 to another highly sensitive post as Minister for Foreign Trade. Her leadership abilities have again been tapped, this time to help guide the growth of the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), the organization charged with the ownership, construction and operation of nuclear power plants as part of the UAE’s peaceful, civil nuclear energy program. ENEC will also serve as an investment arm of the government of Abu Dhabi, and will make strategic investments in collaboration with foreign partners in the nuclear sector, both domestically and internationally. Sheikha Lubna has been appointed Deputy Chairman of ENEC’s Board of Directors . Sheikha Lubna's meteoric rise as one of the country's most prominent government officials started after she was honoured with the “Distinguished Government Employee Award” in 1999. Immediately thereafter, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, appointed her as head of Tejari at the launch of the marketplace in 2000. Prior to managing Tejari, Sheikha Lubna was the senior manager of the Information Systems department at Dubai Ports Authority (DPA), a position she held for more than seven years. Before joining DPA, Sheikha Lubna acted as the Dubai branch manager for the General Information Authority, the organization responsible for automating the Federal Government of the UAE. In 2001, Sheikha Lubna was appointed as head of the Dubai e-Government executive team, which was responsible for instituting e-Government initiatives throughout the public sector. Sheikha Lubna's expertise and leadership skills have been honed by over 20 years of information technology and management experience in the Middle East region. Sheikha Lubna holds a Bachelor of Science degree from California State University of Chico, and an Executive MBA from the American University of Sharjah. Sheikha Lubna is a co-author of “The Diffusion of E-commerce in Developing Economies: A Resource-based Approach” with Dr. Zeinab Karake Shalhoub, Professor of Management Information Systems at the American University of Sharjah. The book provides a timely and valuable perspective on the impact of technology and the Internet on today’s business environments and global development, particularly in emerging countries. Humanitarian & social responsibility work and board positions: Sheikha Lubna volunteers extensively with the “Friends of Cancer Patients” Society. She is currently serves as a Board Member for the following organizations: Trustees for Thunderbird, The American Graduate School of International Management, Phoenix Arizona Board of Directors, Emirates Foundation-Abu Dhabi for Philanthropy Board of Trustees, Dubai School of Government Board Member, "Friends of Cancer Patients" Board of Governors, Capital Club, Dubai Recognitions and awards for her role in politics and good governance In recognition of Her Excellency's contributions in so many fields, leading Universities around the world have acknowledged her efforts. Recently she has been bestowed an Honorary Doctorate of Science for in recognition of her valuable contributions in the field of Science & Technology. Furthermore, Her Excellency was bestowed an Honorary Doctorate of Laws (LLD) degree by the University of Exceter on January 23, 2010 in recognition of her valuable contributions to trade law and the empowerment of Arab Muslim women. Sheikha Lubna was conferred the Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur on June 8, 2009 by Nicolas Sarkozy, President of France. Created by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, the Légion d'Honneur is the highest French distinction that can be bestowed on a citizen or a foreigner. The Minister was recognized for her extraordinary achievements as a public servant of the UAE and for her invaluable role in enhancing her country’s foreign relations. In October 2009, Pio Manzu has awarded Her Excellency the Italian President Gold Medal, which is one of the prestigious awards in Italy. The award has been given in recognition to her continuous efforts for economic development and future growth as well as her support to the women issues and rural areas development. As a tribute to her contribution to enhancing ties between the UAE and Italy, particularly in economic and trade cooperation, in March 2008 Sheikha Lubna was awarded "Grande Ufficiale" (Grand Official) of the Order of the Star of the Italian Solidarity of the Italian Republic. The award, which was created in 1947 and is the highest Italian Official Decoration Order, is dedicated by the Italian President of the Republic to highly distinguished Foreign Authorities in the light of their commitment towards the improvement of the relations of their home country with Italy. In 2007, Forbes magazine recognized Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi as one of the 100 most powerful women in the world, commending her work to build trade relations and promote the ‘brand’ of the UAE. The Times UK newspaper included Sheikha Lubna in its Gulf Power 25 list of 2007, for her leading role in economic diversification and fostering trade relations. The Wall Street Journal recognized Sheikha Lubna as one of its “50 international women to watch”, calling her ‘one of the Mideast’s highest-profile movers and shakers.’ In 2007, she became the first Arab woman to receive the Italian ‘Stella Re' prize, awarded annually to just one woman throughout the world who strives to make a difference to contemporary society and culture through her innovative work, dedication and ideas. Sheikha Lubna was recognized for her work in building the Tejari brand by receiving a leadership award at the 16th Asia Brand Congress in India during September 2007. She was also recognized in May 2005 by Women News in New York as one of 21 leaders in the twenty-first century. Sheikha Lubna was welcomed as an Honorary Member of the American Business Council in Dubai in 2001. Sheikha Lubna has also received numerous awards for her other personal achievements, including: Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry’s Ladies Organization International Woman Achiever Award – 2008, in appreciation for her role in personal & professional development of women in the UAE and the world Vital Voices Global Trailblazer Award in the USA, for her exceptional leadership in the Middle East and her profound influence on future generations of Arab Muslim female decision makers – 2008 (www.vitalvoices.org) Premio Minerva Italian Award for her outstanding contribution in politics & economy - 2005 ITP- Arab Technology Awards for 'Outstanding Contribution to E-Commerce' - 2005 American Business Council of Dubai & the Northern Emirates: American Business Award 2004 United Kingdom’s House of Lords: Entrepreneurship Award 2004 Commonwealth of Kentucky: Honorary title: “Kentucky Colonel” 2003 Datamatix: Outstanding Contribution year 2002 Datamatix: IT Woman of the year 2001 Business. Com: Personal Contribution Award year 2001 Dubai Quality Group: For Support to Leadership, Quality, and Change year 2000 ITP: The Best Personal Achievement Award year 2000 Next Back