Image: Dubai Media Office/ X
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, has officially approved the formation of the Board of Directors for the ‘Young Arab Leaders’ initiative.
The newly appointed board consists of 11 influential Arab figures from various fields, tasked with expanding the initiative and steering its projects toward greater success.
The initiative, which has been a key driver of youth leadership development in the Arab world for two decades, aims to foster emerging talent and empower the next generation of Arab leaders.
Sheikh Hamdan’s approval marks the next phase of the initiative’s growth, with a focus on expanding its network and supporting the region’s youth to play a more significant role in shaping their societies.
“These Arab leaders will oversee the expansion of the initiative in the next phase, lead its projects to fruition, grow the number of members and affiliates in this network, attract the best of emerging Arab talent, and support them to contribute more significantly to shaping the future of our Arab societies,” Sheikh Hamdan said.
A vision for Arab youth
“We want this initiative to be a platform to realise the aspirations and dreams of Arab youth, reenacting the region’s golden era in the vanguard of science, culture, technology, and intellectual endeavour,” Sheikh Hamdan emphasised. “We will support these young Arab leaders to inspire positive change in Arab societies so that their future will be better and brighter.”
The initiative seeks to harness the region’s potential by empowering its youth, who make up a substantial portion of the Arab world’s 200 million strong population.
According to Sheikh Hamdan, these young people represent “200 million opportunities to design and shape a prosperous future”, underscoring the importance of nurturing their skills and providing opportunities for growth.
Board of directors appointed
The newly formed board of directors will be chaired by Khalfan Juma Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation.
The board brings together a diverse group of leaders from across the Arab world, including Sheikh Abdulla bin Khalifa Al Khalifa from Bahrain, Dr Tamam Menko from Jordan, Fahad AlGhanim from Kuwait, and several other influential figures from across the region.
The initiative also appointed Fatma Rashid Bujsaim as secretary-general, tasked with overseeing day-to-day operations and driving forward the initiative’s goals.
Young Arab Leaders: Future plans
The initiative aims to attract 50,000 participants in the coming years. This will be achieved through the creation of a robust network of successful businesspeople, entrepreneurs, and leaders who will serve as mentors and guides to emerging talent.
The programme is also expected to focus on skill development, fostering entrepreneurship, and nurturing a belief in the future among Arab youth.
“The initiative will inspire remarkable accomplishments through its various skill development programmes for the youth and the opportunities it provides for them to showcase their abilities to innovate and succeed across diverse fields,” Sheikh Hamdan said.
As one of the largest specialised networks for Arab youth, the Young Arab Leaders initiative continues to strengthen regional development efforts by instilling a culture of entrepreneurship and a relentless pursuit of knowledge.
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