UAE's ‘Paper Bag Boy' now an innovator with big, green dreams for Earth

Al Etihad

2 days ago

8 Aug 2025 00:15
MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)At 10 years old, Abdul Muqeet Abdul Mannan was already making paper bags out of recycled newspapers, distributing them to grocery stores to help curb plastic pollution. Now 24 and a computer engineer, he is building artificial intelligence (AI) tools to advance climate education.
'When I was in school in 2010, our principal announced that we would observe a 'No Plastic Day' for the UAE National Environment Day,' he recalled in a recent interview with Aletihad . 'I became curious about why we were not supposed to use plastic, especially since it was so common in everyday life.'What followed was a deep dive into the consequences of plastic use — from marine pollution to the deaths of camels in the desert and a resolve to do something about it.His recycling initiative earned him the title 'Paper Bag Boy' and one of the UAE's highest civilian honours, the Abu Dhabi Award, setting him off on a life-long mission as an environmental advocate. 'Receiving this recognition gave me something priceless; it gave me credibility and confidence. It opened doors across the globe,' he said. 'It truly changed everything … and proved that even at a young age, I could make a real difference.'
Merging Engineering with Environmentalism That same energy pushed Abdul Mannan into computer engineering, driven by curiosity about how digital systems work and how they can serve climate action.In 2023, he teamed up with UNICEF's Office of Innovation to launch GreenPal FunDoo, an AI-powered chatbot unveiled at COP28 in Dubai to teach climate awareness in engaging, gamified ways.During a 2024 internship with cloud services firm Bespin Global MEA, he developed a tool that uses AI to analyse climate research and answer environmental questions, making science more accessible to the public.Lately, his interests have turned to the link between data governance, cybersecurity, and sustainability.'Data centres are among the most energy-intensive systems,' he said. 'If I could invent a new solution, it would be a smart energy management system for cloud data centres — one that automatically shifts workloads based on real-time access to renewable energy like solar or wind.'He also plans to work closely with companies to reduce e-waste, promote greener cloud usage, and improve sustainable office practices.'At the same time, I will keep leading workshops for students and professionals — because real change begins when people understand why sustainability matters and how they can contribute,' Abdul Mannan said. 'The UAE's sustainability vision is ambitious and inspiring, and I am excited to be part of the generation that helps bring it to life.'His advice for other young people? 'Start small, but start now. Everything on earth can be recycled, except time.''Find what you are passionate about, whether it is art, business, coding, writing, or something else, and look for ways to connect it to the environment,' Abdul Mannan said. He maintains that saving the planet needs creative thinkers, entrepreneurs, storytellers, and innovators, as much as scientists and policymakers.'Begin in your school or community. Learn about the challenges, ask questions, and take action, even something as simple as spreading awareness among friends can create a ripple effect. That is how real change starts,' he added.
Youth Empowerment a National Priority for the UAE Growing up as a child advocate in the UAE, Abdul Muqeet Abdul Mannan has learnt that 'age does not limit impact'.Abdul Mannan has proudly represented the UAE on international platforms, showcasing its key climate milestones from Masdar City to the Net Zero by 2050 strategy. 'Each experience reinforced the importance of global dialogue and reminded me that environmental advocacy is not just a personal passion, it is a shared global mission,' he said. Over the years, he's seen youth involvement grow from symbolic gestures to full-fledged leadership, supported by the UAE's youth-focused initiatives and forward-thinking policies. 'From coding and design to environmental entrepreneurship, today's youth are using their individual strengths to drive change,' Abdul Mannan said. International Youth Day in 2025 will be celebrated on August 12 under the theme 'Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond'.The UAE has embedded youth empowerment into government strategies and national policies. The establishment of the Federal Youth Authority and appointment of the world's youngest Minister of State for Youth Affairs, Shamma Al Mazrui, in 2016, reflect the country's commitment to placing young people at the heart of national development.Through platforms like the Emirates Youth Council and programmes such as the UAE Youth Hub, the government provides resources, mentorship, and spaces for the youth to lead in fields ranging from sustainability and entrepreneurship to science and technology.
These efforts align with the UAE Centennial 2071 vision, which recognises the youth as key architects of the country's long-term prosperity.