Ann-Marie HERMANS (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (09:53): Today I am honoured to host the delegation from the Women Economic Forum Australia 2025 at Parliament House in Melbourne. Founded by Dr Harbeen Arora Rai, the forum is a premier global gathering of women leaders, innovators and change makers dedicated to fostering empowerment, entrepreneurship and leadership across nations. I particularly acknowledge the distinguished dignitaries in attendance: brigadier general, jail superintendent, attorney and medical doctor Ms Faridah P Ali from the Philippines; deputy head of mission at the Embassy of the State of Qatar Mrs Fatima Al-khulaifi; and the ambassador’s representative from Latvia, serving as delegation contract representative and head of the representative office in Australia for the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia Ms Sabīne Kazaka. Their presence underscores the truly international character of this forum and the shared commitment to advancing women’s economic empowerment worldwide.
I also extend my thanks to Dr Sarifa Alonto-Younes, global director of Speakers Tribe Women, and Dr Hassan Younes of the Alonto-Younes Foundation Incorporated, for their tireless efforts in ensuring the success of this event. With more than 30 delegates joining us, the Women Economic Forum highlights the extraordinary contributions of women in business, government, academia and civil society. May the conversations held inspire lasting change and strengthen the global movement for women’s economic empowerment. Today we have people from Australia, Latvia, Malaysia, Philippines, Qatar, Vietnam, USA and the UAE. I am hosting all of them, and I hope you have a chance to say hello to them.