UAE Honours 40 Arab Youth Pioneers in Abu Dhabi Ceremony
Abu Dhabi, The Gulf Observer: Forty outstanding Arab youth from 13 countries across 10 specialised tracks were honoured at a recognition ceremony hosted at the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy, celebrating their achievements in social impact, innovation, and regional development.
Held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes Affairs and Chairman of the Arab Youth Centre, the event highlighted the UAE’s continued commitment to empowering Arab youth and amplifying their role in advancing sustainable development across the region.
The ceremony was attended by Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Vice Chairman of the Arab Youth Centre and Chairman of Ajman Municipality and Planning Department; Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Office and the UAE Media Council; Dr. Sultan bin Saif Al Neyadi, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Vice Chairman of the Arab Youth Centre, alongside senior officials, partners, and participants from across the Arab world.
In his remarks, Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi reaffirmed that empowering young pioneers is a strategic priority for the UAE, noting that “building the Arab future begins with investing in people, and youth form the foundation of this investment.”
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Al Neyadi described the Young Arab Pioneers initiative as “a genuine bridge for empowerment and opportunity creation,” stressing that the honourees’ achievements serve as models of hope and inspiration for their communities.
During the ceremony, the Arab Youth Centre announced a sponsorship agreement with Tiger Group, which contributed AED1 million under the Platinum “Al Shahama” package. Three Arab Youth Pioneers were selected to receive direct financial support: Ali Hamid Al Lougany (UAE, Industry and Innovation track), Sundus Jaber Al Farsi (Kuwait, Space and Technology track), and Ameen Riyad Abu Diak (Palestine, Education track).
The event also recognised institutional partners, including the Abu Dhabi Business Youth Council, honoured as the initiative’s strategic partner, as well as Tiger Group and other supporting organisations such as the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy, Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation for Education, Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre (Sheraa), and Hub71.
A highlight of the programme was a session led by Sheikh Abdulla Al Hamed titled “From Narratives to Policies: Arab Youth and Global Impact-Making”, which explored the role of Arab youth in shaping authentic narratives and transforming innovation into sustainable development and policy influence.
The Abu Dhabi Youth Business Council also announced the “Manarat Al Rowad Package,” granting participants a complimentary one-year premium membership offering consultations, licensing services, and tailored facilities to support business sustainability.
The Young Arab Pioneers initiative continues to bring together decision-makers, experts, and institutions from across the public and private sectors to cultivate a unified Arab entrepreneurial ecosystem, featuring workshops, networking platforms, and skills development sessions for the region’s future leaders.
