Two UAE ladies among world’s '100 Most Powerful Women'

Two UAE women have been ranked among the world’s 100 Most Powerful Women by international magazine Forbes.

Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, UAE's Minister of State for Tolerance, has been ranked 43rd in the list of Power Women 2016.

Earlier this year, Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi was appointed to the role of Minister of State for Tolerance. Among her first acts: leading a diplomatic trip to visit Pope Francis and other dignitaries in June.

Meet the UAE's new Minister of Tolerance

Formerly the Minister of International Cooperation and Development, Sheikha Lubna helped to lead the United Arab Emirates into a period of unprecedented philanthropy.

The oil-rich country contributed $5.4 billion to foreign nations in 2013, a steep climb from the $1.6 billion donated in 2012; as of 2014, development aid was still holding steady at $4.9 billion.

Sheikha Lubna has also contributed to charities in her own time, volunteering with Friends of Cancer Patients Society and serving on the Board of Directors for the Dubai Autism Center. In 2004, she became the first woman in the country's history to assume a cabinet position, Forbes said.

Sheikha Lubna holds Bachelor of Arts / Science degree from California State Chico; and EMBA from American University of Sharjah.

Second on the prestigious list is Raja Easa Al Gurg, Managing Director of Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group, who sits on 91st position.

Ranked the No.2 Most Powerful Arab Woman by Forbes Middle East in 2015, Raja Easa Al Gurg is a Dubai-based business leader who has also established herself as an instrumental figure in the support and encouragement of Arab women entrepreneurs.

Dedicated to improving women's rights and to encouraging opportunities for them in the workplace, Al Gurg has accomplished much more than expanding the Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group's trade and commerce to include 28 companies and 370 international brand partnerships.

She is a regular speaker at various international conferences and roundtables, and participates in the Government of Dubai's official trade and commerce meetings. Al Gurg is the first Emirati woman on the board of HSBC Bank Middle East Limited and is also on the advisory board of Coutts Bank, the wealth division of the Royal Bank of Scotland Group. She also plays an active role in several philanthropic, social and women's societies, including serving as deputy chair of the Dubai Healthcare City Authority and president of the Dubai Business Women Council.

A Bachelor of Arts / Science from Kuwait University, Al Gurg was ranked 97th in 2015 list.

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.