UAE President Honors Winners of the Second Edition of Nafis Award

Abu Dhabi, The Gulf Observer: President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan today hosted a reception at Qasr Al Bahr for the ten winners of the second edition of the Nafis Award in the individuals’ category for 2023-2024. The ceremony was attended by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Presidential Court, and Chairman of the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (ETCC).

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed congratulated the winners, extending his best wishes for their continued success in their distinguished careers. He commended the collaborative efforts of partners in supporting the ETCC’s objectives and the UAE’s vision for Emiratisation in the private sector.

During the event, His Highness engaged in discussions with the awardees, listening to their experiences, success stories, and the initiatives that earned them this prestigious recognition.

In his remarks, President Sheikh Mohamed underscored the UAE leadership’s commitment to nurturing national talent, encouraging their excellence in the private sector across diverse fields and professional specializations. He emphasized the critical role of private institutions in promoting Emirati talent and fostering a culture of excellence and competition within the labor market, while acknowledging their support for the leadership’s Emiratisation initiatives.

His Highness highlighted the complementary roles of the public and private sectors, with the private sector being a vital contributor to the national economy and a key partner in realizing the UAE’s ambitious developmental vision and advancing its economic system.

Ghannam Butti Al Mazrouei, Secretary-General of the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council, provided an overview of the council’s various programmes and projects, including the Nafis Award. He detailed the award categories, evaluation stages, and the process for selecting winners in both the individuals and companies categories for the second edition.

The winners expressed their joy at meeting President Sheikh Mohamed, affirming their commitment to continuing their journey of excellence to achieve the leadership’s vision and ambitions for empowering youth in the private sector.

This event marks a significant milestone in the UAE’s efforts to enhance Emirati participation in the private sector and underscores the leadership’s dedication to fostering talent and achieving sustainable economic development.