WAM New York, Jul 14th, 2012 (WAM) - Director of UAE's General Women's Union Nora Khalifa Al Suwaidi met senior officials at United Nations Headquarters in New York and discussed with them the possibility of GWU getting the consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council.

Al Suwaidi met with Chief of the NGOs Committee at UN Andrei Abramov and expressed GWU's keenness to present all the required documents and additional information without delay to obtain the consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, popularly known as ECOSOC.

The Committee, established in 1946, recommends to the Council general, special or roster status, in accordance with such criteria as the applicant's mandate, governance and financial regime.

Organizations enjoying general and special status can attend the Council's meetings and circulate statements, while those with general status can, in addition, address meetings and propose agenda items.

During the meeting, Nora stressed the leading role played by HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairperson of General Women's Union and of the Family Development Foundation, in promoting the status of women and empowering them to work in various fields in the country.

She said that Sheikha Fatima's conscious views, which were derived from the established values and principles of the Emirati society, contributed greatly to strengthen the active participation of UAE women in the country's march into progress and development.

Nora Al Suwaidi also reviewed with the UN official, the goals, objectives and efforts of the General Women's Union for promoting women's role and empowering them to participate in the process of decision making in the country and to work in various fields for the country's development.

WAM/AB