Her Majesty Sheikha Sabeeka Bent Ibrahim Al Khalifa,

President of the Arab Women Organization,

President of the Conference,

Dear Sisters,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

At the very beginning, I would like to express my pleasure for being here in Bahrain. I would like to express my great appreciation to Bahrain for hosting this important conference as it comes six years following the establishment of the Arab Women Organisation (AWO) through Cairo Declaration in November, 2000 which witnessed the first summit of its kind for the Arab women.

We have a deep-rooted conviction that the Arab women have to invest their long history of struggle and achievement to serve issues of their nations. There was a deep awareness of the challenges facing us on all national, regional and international levels as well as the means required for meeting said challenges. Challenges of development and modernization and the need to intensify efforts of social, economic and political reforms in addition to the great realization of challenges of development, peace and security in the Middle East region which is in a dire need for renewing the Arab action and thinking, institutions of regional cooperation and the necessity of reaching a just and comprehensive settlement to the Arab-Israeli conflict.

On the international level, challenges like globalization, dispute of trade interests and a yawning gap between the developed and developing countries stressed the dire need for a "global partnership for development" leading the developed countries to shoulder their responsibilities.

In addition, there is a strong belief that rendering any national project a success to open horizons of best future for the Arab countries is related to developing positions of women and using their powers in face of new age. The vision of developing women and developing communities represents two sides for the issue of Arab development.

From said visions and convictions, the Arab Women Organization came into existence aiming at enhancing solidarity of Arab women form Ocean to Gulf as a cornerstone for the comprehensive Arab solidarity working to serve issues of women and development in the Arab world. Establishment of the WAO represented a landmark in the march of Arab female action. Its eight forums, during the past years, played a key role in discovering and analyzing all social, economic, political, legal and cultural issues concerning the Arab women and society.

Said forums resulted in valuable group of recommendations concerning policies and programs of national and regional action for dealing with problems of Arab women and eliminating obstacles and barriers in different fields of social participation.

Now, following six years, we are gathering here in Bahrain to see our targets, achievements and progress. We are here to make use of the lost opportunities. No doubt, we are in a dire need for said important corrective step in order to specify the future procedures and marches of our action.

Within the framework of this important conference and its revaluation of steps of each Arab country in the field of implementing different recommendations of forums and the level of our joint action, let me share you my vision concerning challenges still facing us and the necessity of renewing our commitments and pledges.

As we are in a changing world, we are in face of new challenges, transformations and facts which need continuation of searching for creative visions for dealing with them and supporting bridges of cooperation among Arab countries. The Arab women play a key role in this process.

At this level, some important questions come into my mind such as:

What is the stance of Arab women towards challenges appeared due to absence of peace and security in our societies? What is our stance towards crises in Palestine, Iraq, Lebanon and Darfur which violate regulations of human and international laws? What shall we do to face challenges of discrimination, extremism and religious fanaticism? What is our stance towards theories which put Islam and terrorism side by side and ignore unfair positions which feed roots of violence? How do the Arab women prepare themselves to participate in shaping future of development and reform in our region through crystallizing an Arab original vision based on the national interests and priorities?

Ho do we see the role of Arab women in face of different issues at the international level especially issues of trade, investment, technology transportation, problems of energy and environment as well as other new global challenges?

A list of most difficult issues putts us before huge responsibilities and need visions and commitments extending to next generations for the sake of more just, secure and prosperous future.

A comprehensive vision which works to connect between issues of economic development and social justice and enabling women in all fields and formulate new strategies and work programs coinciding with peculiarities of our societies and respond, at the same time, to developments of the age.

Within the framework of our ambition towards a global partnership for the sake of joint human progress and future, how can we support the role of the Arab women at the international levels in defence of Arab interests and identity?

Women have an original right to build and protect peace as the real experiments proved the extraordinary abilities of women in face of wars. Women have shown distinguished experiences in all dialogues and efforts aiming at achieving peace. Women must face by no means challenges of peace.

In face of all said challenges, the Arab Women Organization gives a best example for renewing the Arab joint action and thought to face issues of women and development in light of facts of new age.

I've full confidence that our conference will write a new chapter in the way of Arab progress and development. We have decided to work optimistically as one team for the sake of best future for humans and nations.

Peace be upon you