Women should take leadership for benefit of future generation - First Lady

Women should take the leadership in conserving energy to ensure sustainable development for the benefit of the future generation, said First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa.

The First Lady who accompanied President Rajapaksa to Dubai during the World Energy Forum was addressing the Summit of the First Ladies of the countries attending the Energy Summit.

The First Ladies Summit held at the Dubai International Exhibition and Convention Hall was opened by World Energy Forum Chairman Dr. Harold Hyunsue oh and Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein of UAE. Yhe First Ladies Summit was held concurrent to the World Energy Forum Summit held from October 22 to 23. First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa further said she was happy and pleased to attend the First Ladies'Summit themed "Role of women towards sustainable development in the modern economy subjected to globalization".

On behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka and its people, she wished to thank the government of the United Arab Emirates and its friendly people for the grand welcome accorded to them on their arrival in the UAE.

She said the organization of the Summit was a timely endeavour to protect the future generation from the energy crisis facing the world. The First Lady said women and development were two forces which could not be separated.

"Women should take the forefront to make sustainable development a reality through a mixture of these twin forces," she said.

She said women were national trustees of the welfare of future generations.The role of women was decisive in ensuring gender equality and justice in any development process.Therefore, women should be eternally dedicated towards sustainable development to ensure a better world for children.

Dr. Harold Hyunsue oh in his inugural address said the Frst Ladies Summit held concurrent to the World Energy Forum Summit will enable them to earn better world attention towards energy conservation.