Latest news with #YoungArabLeaders'
Emirates 24/7
11-02-2025
- Business
- Emirates 24/7
Hamdan bin Mohammed attends first edition of Young Arab Leaders Forum ahead of WGS 2025
H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), attended the first edition of the Young Arab Leaders Forum, held as part of the pre-event activities for the World Governments Summit 2025. H.H. Sheikh Hamdan reaffirmed the pivotal role of Arab youth in shaping the region's future, underscoring the importance of empowerment programmes, capacity-building, opportunities, and funding to unlock their full potential. He stressed that, with the right support, young Arab leaders can drive sustainable economic and social development across the region. 'Empowering youth is a top priority. The 'Young Arab Leaders' initiative, launched nearly two decades ago by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, aims to nurture a new generation of leaders equipped with the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to drive innovation and shape the future,' H.H. Sheikh Hamdan said. H.H. Sheikh Hamdan added: 'Hosting the Young Arab Leaders Forum in Dubai ahead of the World Governments Summit 2025, with the participation of over 200 officials, experts, and emerging Arab leaders, reflects our confidence in the capabilities of youth. We believe in their potential to advance strategic visions, shape future policies, and contribute to a more stable and prosperous future for their communities, nations, and the world.' The first edition of the event featured keynote addresses, panel discussions, and interactive sessions on youth leadership, economic development, diplomacy, and innovation. Khalfan Belhoul, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the 'Young Arab Leaders' initiative, delivered the opening speech, in which he highlighted Arab youth as the region's greatest asset. Belhoul identified five transformative sectors poised to shape the future for the next generation: artificial intelligence, the data economy, green technology, biotechnology and personalised medicine, and sustainable agriculture. These sectors hold the potential to reshape industries, address global challenges, and create new avenues for youth leadership and innovation, he added. Marzouq Al-Ghanim, Former Speaker of the National Assembly of Kuwait, addressed the importance of preparing young leaders for modern challenges, stressing the need for resilience, adaptability, and critical thinking. He also discussed the role of media in youth empowerment, urging strategic engagement to amplify Arab voices on the global stage. Sheikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Bahrain's Minister of Finance and National Economy, explored the role of governments in integrating youth into the economy, emphasising the need for strong infrastructure, digitisation, and hands-on experience. He noted that today's Arab youth are better positioned for success than previous generations, due to sustained investments in education and healthcare. During a discussion on youth leadership and entrepreneurship, Hussain Sajwani, Founder and Chairman of DAMAC Properties, highlighted the importance of early action, hard work, and lifelong learning, while calling on governments to accelerate AI adoption to enhance economic resilience. In a separate session, Mohamad Ballout, CEO and Co-founder of Kitopi; Mahmoud Adi, Founding Partner of Shorooq Investments; and Hosam Arab, CEO and Co-founder of Tabby, emphasised the value of flexibility, perseverance, and access to venture capital as key drivers of success. They also stressed the importance of scalable business models and sustainable growth strategies for long-term impact. Omar Ghobash, UAE Ambassador to the Holy See and Adviser to H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, highlighted the role of youth leadership in Arab diplomacy and their contribution to global engagement and strengthening Arab representation. He attributed the UAE's diplomatic success to agility, resilience, and teamwork, emphasising the importance of efficient resource utilisation, strong government-society collaboration, and adaptability as key pillars of sustainable progress. Looking beyond business and governance, the Young Arab Leaders Forum also explored youth leadership in sports, arts, and culture. A session on Arab sports leadership featured Saudi football legend Sami Al-Jaber, the UAE's Ismail Matar, Iraq's Nashat Akram, and Oman's Ali Al-Habsi. The discussion highlighted the role of sports as a powerful platform for youth empowerment, leadership development, and regional collaboration, while also examining the economic and social impact of investing in young athletes. Another session on Arab leadership in arts and culture brought together Tunisian artist eL Seed, Egyptian architect Shahira Fahmy, and Syrian celebrity chef Mohammad Orfali. The speakers explored the role of creative industries in fostering youth innovation, preserving Arab heritage, and positioning the region as a vibrant hub for cultural influence. The event concluded with a keynote by Rania Al-Mashat, Egypt's Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, who reflected on the strategic role of youth in shaping the Arab world's future. Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
Hi Dubai
10-02-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
Dubai to Host Inaugural Young Arab Leaders Forum Ahead of World Government Summit
Dubai will host the first edition of the Young Arab Leaders Forum on Monday, 10 February, as part of the pre-event activities for the World Governments Summit 2025. Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, the forum will bring together over 200 emerging leaders from across the Arab world. Launched nearly 20 years ago by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the 'Young Arab Leaders' initiative aims to empower youth with the skills and networks to drive progress in various sectors. The forum will feature keynote speeches and panel discussions focusing on youth empowerment, leadership development, and regional transformations. Keynote sessions will include His Excellency Khalfan Belhoul, Chairman of the 'Young Arab Leaders' initiative, and His Excellency Marzouq Al-Ghanim, Former Speaker of the Kuwaiti National Assembly. Other notable speakers include His Excellency Sheikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Bahrain's Minister of Finance, and Her Excellency Rania Al-Mashat, Egypt's Minister of Planning. A dedicated session on entrepreneurship will feature business leaders such as Mohamad Ballout, CEO of Kitopi, and Mona Ataya, Founder of Mumzworld. Additional sessions will explore the role of youth in diplomacy, sports, arts, and culture, with speakers like UAE Ambassador Omar Ghobash, football stars Sami Al-Jaber and Ismail Matar, and artist El Sayed. The forum is set to play a key role in empowering Arab youth, with a vision to expand its network to 50,000 participants in the coming years. Through mentorship and networking, it aims to position Arab youth as catalysts for innovation and economic growth. News Source: Dubai Media Office
Gulf Today
08-02-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
Dubai to host first edition of Young Arab Leaders Forum ahead of WGS 2025
Dubai will host the first edition of the Young Arab Leaders Forum on Monday (Feb.10) as part of the pre-event activities for the World Governments Summit 2025. To be held under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), the forum will bring together over 200 emerging leaders from across the Arab world. The event is part of the 'Young Arab Leaders' initiative, launched nearly 20 years ago by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, to empower and equip the next generation of Arab leaders with the skills, networks, and opportunities to drive progress across various sectors. The forum will feature a series of keynote speeches and panel discussions focusing on youth empowerment, leadership development, and regional transformations. The event will begin with an opening keynote by His Excellency Khalfan Belhoul, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the 'Young Arab Leaders' initiative. This will be followed by a keynote session with His Excellency Marzouq Al-Ghanim, Former Speaker of the Kuwaiti National Assembly, who will discuss the importance of preparing young leaders for the evolving challenges of the modern world. Sheikh Salman Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Minister of Finance and National Economy of the Kingdom of Bahrain, will participate in a session discussing the role of young Arab leaders in shaping the region's economic future. Rania Al Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation of Egypt, will also give a keynote speech on the readiness of youth and their role in planning and leadership in senior positions. Additionally, Hussain Sajwani, Founder and Chairman of DAMAC Properties, will join a panel discussion on the impact of youth leadership in building a resilient and innovative economy. Khalfan Belhoul, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the 'Young Arab Leaders' initiative, emphasised that the forum serves as a platform for meaningful conversations aimed at empowering Arab youth, harnessing their skillsets to drive social progress, and preparing a new generation of leaders capable of creating tangible change across future sectors. Belhoul said that the Young Arab Leaders Forum will play an important role in launching impactful initiatives in the coming period by leveraging the expertise of participating Arab leaders. He highlighted that the forum will further activate the role of young Arab leaders across diverse fields, in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, and under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of DFF. A dedicated session on 'Arab Leaders in Entrepreneurship' will feature prominent business leaders, including Mohamad Ballout, CEO and Co-founder of Kitopi; Mahmoud Adi, Founding Partner of Shorooq Investments; Hosam Arab, Co-founder and CEO of Tabby; and Mona Ataya, Founder of Mumzworld. These speakers will share insights on fostering entrepreneurship and how young leaders can drive economic transformation in the Arab world. In addition, Omar Ghobash, UAE Ambassador to the Holy See and Adviser to the UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister His Highness Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, will deliver a keynote speech on 'Young Leaders and the Future of Arab Diplomacy', exploring the role of youth in shaping the region's global engagement. Beyond business and governance, the Young Arab Leaders Forum will also explore the impact of youth leadership in sports, arts, and culture. A dedicated session on 'Arab Sports Leadership' will bring together renowned athletes, including Saudi football legend Sami Al-Jaber, Emirati football star Ismail Matar, and Iraqi footballer Nashat Akram, to discuss how sports can serve as a platform for youth empowerment and regional collaboration. Another discussion on 'Arab Leadership in Art and Culture' will feature prominent creative figures, including Tunisian artist El Sayed, Saudi musician Mishaal Tamer, Egyptian architect Shahira Fahmy, and renowned chef Mohamad Orfali, owner of Orfali Bros Bistro. The forum will conclude with a keynote session by Nasser Al Khater, CEO of the Qatar 2022 World Cup, who will share leadership lessons from organising one of the most prestigious global sporting events. As part of its long-term strategy, the Young Arab Leaders initiative aims to attract 50,000 participants in the coming years. Through mentorship, networking opportunities, and innovative projects, the initiative seeks to build a strong network of business leaders, policymakers, and changemakers committed to supporting and guiding young Arab talent. Through its extensive regional network, the programme aims to position Arab youth as catalysts for innovation, economic growth, and social transformation. Sheikh Hamdan recently approved the formation of the 'Young Arab Leaders' Board of Directors, chaired by Khalfan Belhoul. The board comprises distinguished leaders from across the region, including Sheikh Abdulla Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa (Bahrain), Dr. Tamam Menko (Jordan), Fahad AlGhanim (Kuwait), Aïssata Lam (Mauritania), Ibrahim Mohtaseb (Saudi Arabia), Mona Ataya (Palestine), Basil El-Baz (Egypt), Yazen Altimimi (Iraq), Nasser Al-Khater (Qatar), Sami Daud (Oman), and Fatma Rashid Bujsaim, Secretary-General of 'Young Arab Leaders'.
