Delivering a keynote address at the First Ladies Summit for Sustainable Development held on Tuesday at the International Convention and Exhibition Centre in Dubai, First Lady said the women should make a vital contribution to protect energy on behalf of the sustainable development for the posterity.

The First Ladies Summit held under the patronage of Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein highlighted energy and water issues as they relate to women, empowerment and advancement of women, and women's role in sustainable development.

The First Ladies Summit was organized on the sidelines of the World Energy Forum held at the same venue from October 22-24.

Ms. Rajapaksa said that women can discharge a significant service to safeguard the future generation from the energy crisis. She emphasized that all women should unite in this respect. Women and development are two important forces that could not be separated.

She has underscored that women should take the lead in conserving energy for the future generation to make sustainable development a reality.

She has expressed her gratitude to the United Arab Emirates for taking the lead on behalf of the posterity, organizing such meets. Representatives of the World energy Forum, the World Health Organization and the United Nations joined in this meeting.