Prime Highlights
- UAE Minister Reem Al Hashimy received Italy’s Marisa Bellisario Award at the 38th edition of the ceremony in Rome
- Italian Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani presented the award, placing Al Hashimy alongside past recipients including Queen Rania and Nobel laureates
Key Facts
- The recognition follows Italian President Mattarella’s State Visit to the UAE in January 2026
- Al Hashimy led the organisation and delivery of Expo 2020 Dubai during her distinguished career
Background
Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, picked up the Marisa Bellisario Award in Rome at the 38th edition of the annual ceremony.
Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Antonio Tajani handed her the award, putting Al Hashimy in the company of women who have shaped diplomacy and global cooperation in meaningful ways.
The Marisa Bellisario Award sits among Italy’s most respected honours for women in leadership. Women who have carried it home before her include Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan, former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, and Nobel Peace Prize laureates Aung San Suu Kyi and Nadia Murad.
Ahead of the ceremony, Italian President Sergio Mattarella welcomed Al Hashimy and the other 2026 recipients to a reception at the presidential palace. The gesture speaks to how seriously Italy’s institutions regard the award and the people who receive it.
The recognition arrives as UAE-Italy ties gain strength following President Mattarella’s State Visit to the UAE in January 2026. Al Hashimy acknowledged both the bilateral moment and the broader significance of the award in her remarks.
She said she accepts the distinction on behalf of Emirati women whose talent and dedication continue to shape the UAE’s role in the world.
Al Hashimy has built her career around international engagement. She led the organisation and delivery of Expo 2020 Dubai and has worked consistently to advance strategic partnerships across regions and sectors.
The award also draws attention to the progress Emirati women have made under national leadership, from the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to the continued efforts of Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak in advancing women across all areas of public life.
