Hamdan bin Mohammed attends the inaugural Young Arab Leaders Forum

Photo : Dubai Government Media Office

Dubai, UAE - His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence of the UAE, attended the first-ever Young Arab Leaders Forum. The forum was part of the activities in preparation for the World Governments Summit 2025.

More than 200 officials, experts, and young leaders from across the Arab world gathered in this forum. The main purpose was to emphasize youth's role in building the future and finding solutions for major challenges. Sheikh Hamdan said it is important to support young leaders by giving them the right tools, training, and opportunities so that they could make a difference in their communities and countries.
Importance of Youth Leadership

Sheikh Hamdan reaffirmed that young people play a crucial role in building a better future. He said, “Empowering youth is a top priority. The ‘Young Arab Leaders’ initiative, launched nearly 20 years ago by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, aims to prepare a new generation of leaders with the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to drive innovation and shape the future.”

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He added, "Hosting the Young Arab Leaders Forum in Dubai before the World Governments Summit, with the participation of over 200 experts and young leaders, shows our trust in their abilities. We believe they can create strong strategies, influence policies, and help build a more stable and prosperous world."
Key Discussions at the Forum

Some of the activities included keynote speeches, panel discussions, and other interactive sessions under the heads of youth leadership, economic development, diplomacy, and innovation. The opening speech was delivered by His Excellency Khalfan Belhoul, the Chairman of Young Arab Leaders initiative. He described Arab youths as the greatest asset to the region and described five key areas that will define the future:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) – Technology that can change industries and improve lives.

Data Economy – The use of data to make better business and government decisions.

Green Technology – Innovations that help protect the environment.

Biotechnology & Personalized Medicine – Advances in health and medical treatments.

Sustainable Agriculture – Farming techniques that ensure food security for future generations.

These fields, he said, will create opportunities for young leaders and allow them to drive positive change.

Lessons from Experienced Leaders

His Excellency Marzouq Al-Ghanim, former Speaker of the National Assembly of Kuwait, presented insightful views in this forum. According to him, preparing the new generation to lead in a rapidly changing world was essential. Today, a new generation must face modern challenges through resilience, flexibility, and analytical thinking. Media plays an essential role in providing youth with platforms to empower and amplify their voices across the world.

His Excellency Sheikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Minister of Finance and National Economy of Bahrain, spoke about how governments might integrate youth better into the economy. In his opinion, good infrastructure, digital skills, and practical experience are all elements that have to be focused on as the makings of success for young people. According to him, Arab youth today are the most prosperous in history, given the immense investments that continue in education and health.

Entrepreneurship and Business Success

During a panel discussion on youth leadership and entrepreneurship, Hussain Sajwani, Founder and Chairman of DAMAC Properties, said that people should take action early, work hard, and continuously learn. He called upon governments to invest in AI and digital transformation for economic resilience.

Other successful entrepreneurs who spoke were Mohamad Ballout, CEO of Kitopi; Mahmoud Adi, Founding Partner of Shorooq Investments; and Hosam Arab, CEO of Tabby. These spoke on the flexibility, persistence, and ease of access to venture capital with the business. They also referred to the scalable business models and long-term growth strategies as being important.
The Role of Diplomacy

His Excellency Omar Ghobash, UAE Ambassador to the Holy See and Adviser to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, spoke about youth leadership in Arab diplomacy. He said young leaders can play a crucial role in representing Arab countries on the global stage. He also pointed out that the UAE's diplomatic success comes from its ability to adapt, collaborate, and use resources wisely.

Leadership in Sports, Arts, and Culture

The Young Arab Leaders Forum also explored leadership beyond business and governance. A special session on Arab sports leadership featured famous footballers, including Saudi legend Sami Al-Jaber, the UAE’s Ismail Matar, Iraq’s Nashat Akram, and Oman’s Ali Al-Habsi. They spoke about how sports can be a powerful platform for youth empowerment and regional collaboration. They also discussed how investing in young athletes can have positive social and economic impacts.

Another session covered leadership in arts and culture. A group of renowned speakers included the Tunisian artist eL Seed, the Egyptian architect Shahira Fahmy, and the Syrian celebrity chef Mohammad Orfali, who discussed how the creative industries can support innovation among young people, preserve Arab heritage, and present the region as a place for cultural influence.

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