UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy has been honoured with Italy’s prestigious Marisa Bellisario Award, recognising her contribution to diplomacy, international cooperation and strengthening relations between the United Arab Emirates and Italy. Presented during the 38th edition of the award ceremony in Rome by Antonio Tajani, Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the honour marks another major international recognition for an Emirati woman serving on the global stage.
A Prestigious Italian Honour
Presented by the Fondazione Bellisario, the Marisa Bellisario Award is one of Italy’s best-known recognitions celebrating women who have made outstanding contributions across diplomacy, public institutions, business, science, innovation, culture and humanitarian work.
Before the ceremony, Al Hashimy attended an official reception hosted by Italian President Sergio Mattarella for the 2026 award recipients. She later received the award in Rome from Antonio Tajani, joining a distinguished group of previous international recipients that includes Queen Rania Al Abdullah, former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nadia Murad.
The Rise of Emirati Women Leaders
According to the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Al Hashimy received the award for her contributions to diplomacy, international cooperation, global partnerships and her role in strengthening ties between the UAE and Italy.
She has represented the UAE in several major international initiatives, including leading Expo 2020 Dubai, which welcomed more than 24 million visits, according to the official Expo 2020 Dubai Final Report. Her work has focused on building dialogue between governments and international partners while expanding the UAE’s engagement on global issues.
The recognition also highlights the growing international presence of Emirati women in leadership, particularly in diplomacy and public service.
Strengthening UAE–Italy Relations
The honour comes as the UAE and Italy continue strengthening cooperation across trade, innovation, culture and diplomatic engagement. Earlier this year, President Sergio Mattarella made a State Visit to the UAE, where both countries reaffirmed their commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation.
The recognition also comes at a time when diplomatic engagement between the two countries continues to grow, adding broader significance to the honour beyond Al Hashimy’s individual achievement.
A Tribute to Emirati Women
During her acceptance remarks, Al Hashimy dedicated the award to Emirati women, saying their talent, ambition and commitment continue to contribute to the UAE’s development and its engagement with the international community.
She added that the honour reflects the UAE leadership’s continued support for women’s participation in leadership and decision-making. Al Hashimy also noted that receiving the award during the 80th anniversary of the Italian Republic made the occasion especially meaningful, reaffirming the importance of dialogue and international cooperation in addressing shared global challenges.
The award adds another international recognition to Reem Al Hashimy’s diplomatic career while highlighting the growing presence of Emirati women in global leadership.