In recognition of Emirati Women’s Day on 28 August, and as part of its ongoing mission to champion equitable progress, Expo City Dubai’s Women’s Pavilion will host Her City, Her Future, a special event celebrating the vision, impact and leadership of Emirati women in building inclusive, resilient cities.

Free and open to the public, the future-focused event, in partnership with Emirates NBD, will run from 0930 to 1330 and highlight Emirati women forging real change across our cities – from urban design, wellness and safety to sports, arts and culture – while also exploring the unique challenges many women still encounter.

The event is part of the 2025 Emirati Women’s Day theme of Hand in Hand, Celebrating the 50th and is anchored by the belief that thriving cities begin with thriving women. It reaffirms the Women’s Pavilion’s mission to empower women across every dimension of urban life while honouring their role in shaping stronger, more connected communities.

Reflecting Expo City’s wider commitment to inclusivity across all elements of urban living, Her City, Her Future will be opened by Muna Easa Al Gurg, Founder of Meem Foundation, a philanthropic organisation dedicated to addressing challenges faced by women and girls in the Middle East and North Africa.

The line-up also features leading Emirati voices across various impactful panels:

Her City Majlis: Shaping cities, shaping communities For 50 years, Emirati women have shaped the UAE’s skyline and its soul. This powerful conversation moderated by Nadia Verjee, Executive Director Expo Dubai Group, explores how urban planning, heritage and community come together to create cities that truly belong to everyone.

Dr Alamira Reem Al Hashimi – General manager, author; first Emirati woman with a PhD in Urban Planning
Maryam Mudhaffar Ahli – Architect and historian; Museum collections manager – Dubai Culture and Arts Authority
Fatma Al Khayat – Co-Founder and CEO of Arkat Urban Planning and Design

Power in Motion: Emirati women leading through sport Emirati athletes and leaders share how sport drives strength, self-belief and a deeper sense of community in a panel moderated by Jessica Smith OAM PLY, Paralympian, author, keynote speaker and inclusion and accessibility consultant.

Areej AlHammadi – UAE national football team
Aisha Alawadhi – UAE national padel tennis team
Amal Murad – Entrepreneur and fitness coach, Leap of Hope; region’s first Emirati parkour coach
Eisa Sharif, Director of Sports Events Department, Dubai Sports Council

The Art of Change: Emirati women shaping culture Visionary Emirati creatives reveal how art sparks change, amplifies identity and reshapes the cultural conversation in a panel moderated by Alia AlShamsi, Director of Curatorial and Programming, House of Arts, Expo City Dubai

Butheina Kazim – Founder and Managing Director of Cinema Akil
Dr Afra Atiq – Poet, scholar and interdisciplinary artist
Azza Al Qubaisi – Emirati artist and product designer
Latifa Al Gurg – Founder and Creative Director, Twisted Roots

As a platform for inclusive progress, the Women’s Pavilion continues to honour the legacy of Emirati women while inspiring the next generation to shape the cities of tomorrow. Her City, Her Future comes as Expo City Dubai prepares to host the Asia Pacific Cities Summit and Mayors’ Forum in October, which will shine a light on women as city-makers across grassroots and governance levels, aiming to drive tangible policy changes that will lead to safer, more inclusive and sustainable cities.

Everyone is invited to be part of this vital conversation – to listen, learn and lead the way towards cities that work for all. Register your interest here.