Ivanka Trump continues to make an impact on the international stage.
The First Daughter followed a women empowerment tour in Germany last month with a visit to the Middle East where she assisted in securing a huge monetary donation from Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates toward World Bank’s Women Entrepreneurs Fund.
“As a female leader within the Trump administration, my focus is to help empower women in the United States and around the globe,” Ms. Trump said at an event Sunday, May 21 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The two countries agreed to a collectively pledge $100 million to the fund which will assist women entrepreneurs and small business owners, specifically those in the Middle East. Ms. Trump, who also serves as a senior White House advisor, proposed the fund.
“We thought it was a fantastic idea,” said World Bank President Jim Young Kim. “But we had no idea how quickly this would build. This is really a stunning achievement. I’ve never seen anything come together so quickly, and I really have to say that Ivanka’s leadership has been tremendous.”
Thank you @JimYongKim for your leadership & for joining me in a meaningful discussion with women entrepreneurs today https://t.co/FAYZ802FkI
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) May 21, 2017
World Bank will announce the creation of the $1 billion fund through the Women’s Entrepreneurship Facility at the G-20 Summit in July.
“This facility has clear alignment with our broader work to advance women’s economic empowerment,” Kim said in a statement. “We look forward to launching the facility later this year.”
It’s unclear how much of an effect the fund will have in Saudi Arabia and U.A.E. where women currently live under strict restrictions, but U.A.E.’s ambassador to the United States said it’s a step in the right direction.
In a statement, Yousef Al Otaiba said the donation reflects “our commitment to empowering women in our region and builds on the progress we have made in our country, where women play a role in every segment of society.”
According to the White House, Ms. Trump, who will not have an active role in the operation of the fund, met with a group of Saudi women (including society leaders, businesswomen, and elected government officials) “to hear their experiences and discuss opportunities for women’s economic empowerment.”
“There’s still a lot of work to be done,” she said.
Today I met with Saudi Arabian women leaders and learned directly of their accomplishments, challenges & vision for the future. #POTUSAbroad pic.twitter.com/npimDyD95u
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) May 21, 2017
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