United Arab Emirates , Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the largest industrial company in the UAE outside the oil and gas sector, today announced that Schneider Electric, RAK Ceramics, Veolia, Delta Plus and Knauf Group have joined the company’s “Challenge” program, which aims to promote inclusivity and gender diversity in the country’s industrial sector.

The new companies join the existing members of the program, namely ADNOC, Ducab, Emirates Steel Arkan, Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, Strata, Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) and TechnipFMC.

The “Challenge” program, launched by Emirates Global Aluminium in 2023, focuses on addressing common challenges that include encouraging women to work in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, promoting more inclusive workplaces in the industrial sector and providing career guidance to young women working in this sector.

Since the beginning of this decade, Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) has adopted a pioneering approach to promoting gender diversity in the industrial sector, setting ambitious targets to enhance the role of women within its workforce. Currently, more than 830 women work for the company, with over 60% of them holding operational roles. Women also hold a quarter of the company's management positions, a target set in 2021 and achieved by the end of 2025.

Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, CEO of Emirates Global Aluminium, said: “Experience has shown that organizations with more inclusive and diverse work environments achieve stronger performance and greater capacity for innovation and growth. Enhancing women’s participation in the industrial sector is a real opportunity to raise the competitiveness of companies and enhance their economic and social impact. I am delighted that more leading industrial companies in the UAE are joining the challenge program, which strengthens our joint efforts to build a more inclusive work culture that provides everyone with equal opportunities to contribute and succeed.”

For her part, Amal Shad Li , President of Schneider Electric for the Gulf region, said: “Building a more inclusive industrial sector requires close cooperation and a shared commitment between different institutions. We are pleased to join the challenge program and work alongside a select group of leading institutions in the UAE to develop inclusive leaders, share best practices, provide guidance and mentorship, and create more opportunities that enable women to thrive and advance. These joint efforts contribute to building a female industrial workforce capable of leading the future of the industrial sector.”

Abdullah Mussad, CEO of RAK Ceramics, said: “Inclusivity is a fundamental pillar for building stronger companies and more cohesive societies. We at RAK Ceramics are proud to join the Emirates Global Aluminium Challenge program and work alongside organizations that share the same vision. Through collaboration, sharing experiences, and combining efforts, we can provide more opportunities for women and contribute to shaping a future where our sector reflects the diversity of the society it serves.”

Thierry Desincklos, CEO of Veolia UAE , said: “Veolia is proud to support Emirates Global Aluminium’s Challenge Programme, which promotes inclusivity, diversity, and the empowerment of women in the heavy industries sector. We believe that the future of the industrial sector must be built on a diversity of talents, visions, and leadership, with women playing a pivotal role in building a more innovative, resilient, and sustainable industrial sector.”

Roman Crozet, CEO of Delta Plus Middle East, said: “Empowering women is not an option, but an investment in a more prosperous and balanced future. When women lead with confidence, the whole society progresses, and when women rise, the whole society rises. Therefore, I am delighted to join the Challenge program alongside the leading and ambitious industrial companies in the UAE. I appreciate this opportunity that allows us to learn, collaborate, and contribute within this inspiring network of member companies in the program.”

Paul Bouton, CEO of Knauf in the GCC , said: “Progress is achieved when efforts are united around a common goal. We at Knauf are proud to join the Challenge program, confirming our commitment to building a work environment that allows everyone opportunities to grow, take on leadership roles, and make a tangible positive impact.”

Since launching the “Challenge” program, Emirates Global Aluminium has collaborated with the “Nama Women Advancement Establishment” to develop initiatives dedicated to addressing the challenges of the industrial sector and encouraging women to work in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Among the most prominent of these initiatives   Developing a guide to promote inclusivity in the workplace allows industrial companies to assess their policies, workplace culture, talent development programs, and inclusivity practices, helping them identify opportunities to promote gender diversity.

The “mutual mentoring” initiative for women working in the heavy industries sector, through providing professional guidance and enabling participants to acquire the basic skills necessary to succeed in their fields of work at the hands of specialists and leaders from companies that are members of the “Challenge” program.

Last year saw the launch of the Guidance for Promoting a Culture of Diversity, Equality and Inclusion, a framework specifically designed for the industrial sector that provides organizations with practical strategies, resources and tools to help them promote inclusivity in the industrial work environment.

In addition to conducting a research study in collaboration with the American University of Sharjah to better understand the challenges facing women in the heavy industries sector, the study, published in February 2026, addressed the obstacles that limit women’s participation in this sector and best practices for providing more inclusive workplaces, as well as providing guidance on future policies and initiatives.

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