The French Minister of Economy, Industry and Employment will speak at the upcoming second annual Women in Leadership (WIL) Forum in Abu Dhabi.

Christine Lagarde will address leading businesswomen at the forum via video link drawing on her own considerable experience from an idealistic student to one of the most prominent female political figures on the world stage today.

Lagarde, born in Paris on January 1, 1956, graduated from law school and then obtained a masters degree from the Institut d’Etudes Politiques d’Aix-en-Provence. She later gained an internship at the US Capitol as William Cohen’s congressional assistant.

Now Lagarde is France’s Minister of Economic Affairs and is the first woman to be appointed in such a capacity in a G8 economy.

Other high profile speakers to address delegates at the forum include Fatima Al Jaber, COO, Al Jaber Group, who is an accomplished engineer with significant expertise in the management of international businesses in a variety of industrial sectors.

Also speaking at this year’s forum is Salma Ali Saif Bin Hareb, who became the first woman in the Mena region to be appointed head of a free trade zone when she took over operations of Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority in June 2005.

“These women are possibly the first Arab role models for young Arab women throughout the Middle East,” said Sophie Le Ray, CEO, naseba, organiser of the event.

“All of our speakers and panelists have excelled in their respective fields and are highly regarded in the Arab business world. WIL is a platform for young business professionals to listen, recognise and engage with true leaders, drawing inspiration from their experiences,” she added.

The WIL Forum will take place on November 23 and 24 at the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr hotel. – TradeArabia News Service