Mohamed Hassan Salem – 8 September 2020

ADNOC has announced its commitment to represent women in all boards of directors of the group companies by the end of 2022.

After appointing the first two chief executives in the group companies, ADNOC continues to empower women by increasing their participation in senior management and increasing the percentage of female citizens in the total number of new employees in group companies.

Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, President of the General Women’s Union, Chair of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation “Mother of the Nation”, affirms that the wise leadership has spared no effort in enhancing the status of women and advancing their role in society and in supporting the national economy, and that the leadership’s aspirations towards Emirati women are big and unlimited.

This came in a message that Her Highness sent to the employees of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) on the occasion of the “Emirati Women’s Day,” which falls on August 28 each year, in a speech delivered on behalf of Her Highness Dr. Maitha bint Salem Al Shamsi, Minister of State, during the celebration held by the ADNOC Company in this occasion.

The ceremony was attended by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance, Dr. Maitha bint Salem Al Shamsi, Minister of State and Counselor of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, and Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of State, CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and its group of companies, and members of the senior management of the company, and more than 700 employees from the group companies.

For his part, His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan – in a speech during the ceremony – said: “On Emirati Women’s Day, we are proud of the “Mother of the Emirates”,  Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, who proves to us every day the wise leadership and enlightened vision which are fully capable of shaping the march of society for the better and enabling everyone, women and men together, to fully contribute to the march of the homeland and the world.

In line with ADNOC’s strategy for smart growth 2030, ADNOC announced its commitment to represent women on all boards of directors of the group’s companies in which it owns a majority by the end of 2022.

His Excellency Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber – in his speech during the celebration – appreciated the continuous support that women receive from wise leadership, noting the great progress made by Emirati women thanks to the leadership vision and the follow-up, support and encouragement”. His Excellency praised the “Emirati Women’s Day” initiative launched by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, “Mother of the Nation”, which this year chose the slogan “Women are a symbol of tolerance.”

His Excellency Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber added: “Emirati women have proven their ability to give and contribute effectively in various fields of our work, whether in fields, drilling sites, oil refineries and laboratories, or in research centers and administrative and office work. These are the effective contributions and achievements made by Emirati women on The professional and personal level as a result of the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, “may God rest his soul”, to support and empower women, and the rational leadership approach, and to follow up and encourage Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak “Mother of the Emirates” and her continuous support to empower Emirati women and develop their capabilities.

His Excellency added: “In recognition of the merit of Emirati women and their ability to contribute effectively, and in continuation of our pledges and initiatives aimed at enhancing gender balance, I am pleased to announce ADNOC’s commitment to represent women in all boards of directors of the group companies by the end of 2022. This initiative comes in line with ADNOC’s goals to encourage women’s participation in the oil and gas sector, and with the UAE’s efforts to promote gender equality as one of the United Nations’ sustainable development goals.

It is worth noting that, in April 2018, ADNOC appointed the first two chief executives of two of the group companies, based on actual performance results and merit. Fatima Al Nuaimi, Chair of the ADNOC Gender Balance Committee, was appointed as CEO of ADNOC LNG. While Taiba Al-Hashemi was appointed as CEO of the “Jassat Petroleum” company. His Excellency affirmed that ADNOC will continue its efforts to reach the percentage of female representation in senior management to 15% by the end of this year and a year before the specified date.

His Excellency Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber concluded his speech by saying that ADNOC, and based on its position and pivotal role as a major contributor to driving growth and development in the UAE, will continue to make more efforts to empower women and achieve their development in their professional lives.

While women currently represent 5% of the total workforce in the oil and gas sector in the Middle East, this percentage in ADNOC is 11%, and Emirati women represent 71% of ADNOC’s female employees. About 600 women work at ADNOC operations sites, including 132 working in technical positions in several locations, including Zirku and Das islands, and the Rumaitha field, which was the first ADNOC facility to be managed by female workers.