DUBAI, Jan 2 (Bernama) -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will host, for the first time, an Arab-West dialogue of young people that will focus on important issues related to women in June.

To be held in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi, the event will see a group of 26 young Arabs, both men and women, having a dialogue with their western peers, said Dr Wadodah Badran, who is Arab Women's Organisation director-general.

The dialogue will take place under the patronage of Sheikha Fatima Mubarak, chairperson of the UAE General Women's Union and Family Development Foundation president, English daily Khaleej Times reported.

Dr Badran made the announcement in Abu Dhabi when opening a five-day training programme to prepare the Arab debaters for the upcoming dialogue.

Western university students will represent the West in the debate, which is part of the Arab Youth Dialogue strategy initiated in 2005 with the aim of developing a constructive dialogue to resolve issues concerning women.