H.E. Sheikha Lubna al Qasimi, United Arab Emirates Minister of Economy, will deliver the Keynote Address for the International Colored Gemstones Association Congress in Dubai, ICA said Wednesday.

Forbes.com recently recognized Sheikha Lubna as one of the “women to watch” in the Middle East. In 2005, she was also recognized by Women’s eNews in New York as one of “21 leaders for the 21st Century.”

In November 2004, Sheikha Lubna became the first woman in the history of the United Arab Emirates to assume a cabinet position, appointed to manage the U.A.E.’s newly merged economy and planning portfolio. Previously she was the chief executive officer of Tejari, the Middle East’s premier electronic business-to-business marketplace (she now serves as a board member). She was appointed in 2000 as the head of Tejari by HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the crown prince of Dubai and defense minister of the U.A.E.

Prior to managing Tejari, Sheikha Lubna was the senior manager of the information systems department at the Dubai Ports Authority, a position she held for more than seven years. Before joining DPA, Sheikha Lubna acted as the Dubai branch manager for the General Information Authority, the organization responsible for automating the federal government of the United Arab Emirates. She has more than twenty years of information technology and management experience in the Middle East.

Lubna sits on the board of directors for several well-known organizations, including the Dubai Autism Center and the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry. She is also a trustee for the Electronic-Total Quality Management College in Dubai; Zayed University in the U.A.E.; and the American Graduate School of International Management in Phoenix, Arizona. In addition, she volunteers extensively with the “Friends of Cancer Patients Society” in the U.A.E.

She is a recipient of many awards for her personal achievements, including the 2005 Premio Minerva International Award for her outstanding contribution in politics and Economy; ITP- Arab Technology Awards for ‘Outstanding Contribution to E-Commerce’ in 2005; The 2004 American Business Award from the American Business Council of Dubai & the Northern Emirates; and the Entrepreneurship Award from Great Britain’s House of Lords in 2004.

Shekiha Lubna holds a Bachelor of Science degree from California State University of Chico, and an Executive MBA from the American University of Sharjah.

The ICA Congress will be held in Dubai May 6-9.

JCK