Coca-Cola Middle East has signed up be the sponsor of the third annual Women In Leadership Forum and Shamsa Bint Suhail Award for Creative Women to be held next month in Abu Dhabi.

The forum and award ceremony will take place on November 23 and 24 at the Emirates Palace, and is organised by top French business information group naseba.

“Over the past few years Coca-Cola has continued to renew its commitment to the economic empowerment of women. In 2008, as part of the UN Millennium Development Goals, Coca-Cola pledged to establish micro distribution centres in Africa - run by entrepreneurs - as a way of distributing its products,” explained Dr Susan Mboya, general manager: Franchise at Coca-Cola South Africa.

“Subsequently at the Clinton Global Initiative in 2009, Coca-Cola pledged to establish 1,400 such centres, 50 per cent of which would be owned by women, and I am pleased to say that we met and exceeded that commitment.”

“In 2010, we made yet another more far-reaching promise at the Clinton Global Initiative to economically empower five million women across the system by the year 2020. In June 2011, Coca-Cola signed a memorandum of understanding with the World Islamic Economic Forum Foundation to support renewable annual grants totaling $600,000. This forms part of Coca-Cola’s strategy to create business opportunities for rising entrepreneurs in Muslim communities, with a specific focus on women," Dr Mboya added.

Sophie Le Ray, creator of the Women In Leadership series and CEO of naseba, said: “The Coca-Cola Company’s social responsibility initiatives have always been a source of inspiration for other corporations, and their efforts in empowering women throughout the world have set the standard for others to aspire to. We are excited about their involvement in the Women In Leadership platform.”

Overall, the Women In Leadership series has connected more than 1,500 successful, international heads of commerce, inspiring the women business leaders of tomorrow. It features two days of superior networking, inspirational speakers and potential business opportunities.

The Shamsa Bint Suhail Award for Creative Women aims to support the efforts of Emirati women, recognising their creative talents and expertise. It also rewards those who have delivered an outstanding contribution in building and promoting their community. – TradeArabia News Service