Dubai: Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said empowering young local talent to participate in building the nation’s future is a key aspect of the vision of Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Equipping youth with the right skills is critical to the progress of the nation and its sustainable development journey, he said.

Sheikh Hamdan congratulated the new members of Dubai Youth Council and wished them success in their new endeavours. Commending the contributions of former members, Sheikh Hamdan expressed his appreciation for the ideas being generated by the nation’s youth to deal with challenges and create a bright future.

“Taking part in Youth Councils is a great way for ambitious young citizens to contribute to shaping the future of the nation and realising the aspirations of its leadership and people. The innovative ideas of the youth will greatly help in developing new policies and strategies geared to the future,” His Highness noted.

“The next session of the Dubai Youth Council coincides with the 50^th Anniversary of the UAE. We look forward to the inputs and suggestions of Council members to realise the nation’s future plans. We are confident of their ability to generate unique new approaches for enhancing Dubai’s leadership in a changing world,” His Highness added.

Members of the fifth Dubai Youth Council include Badria Abdularahim Ahmed Al Mulla, Asmaa Ali Ahmed Al Balushi, Reem Ismail Musbih, Dr. Abdulla Ahmed Abdulla AlSheikh, Khalifa Ali Khalifa bin Humaidan AlFalasi, Ali Khalid bin Zayed AlFalasi, and Mohammed Abdulla AlShamsi.

HE Shamma Al Mazrui, Minister of State for Youth Affairs, said: “Our leadership believes that the energy and ideas of the youth are key to the UAE’s growth and progress. The Youth Councils offer young Emiratis an opportunity to share their thoughts on the nation’s development and participate in decision making and policy processes,” she said.

“The new members of the Dubai Youth Council bring fresh thinking and ideas to the Council. I am confident they will build on the contributions of the Council’s former members and develop creative initiatives for the advancement of youth in Dubai and the UAE,” she noted.

HE Abdulla Mohammed Al Basti, Secretary-General of The Executive Council of Dubai, said youth play a key role in shaping the future of the UAE. Youth Councils help create a conducive environment for youth to voice up their opinions in line with the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the directives of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed.

Al Basti also praised the efforts of the Federal Youth Authority in empowering youth and raising their contribution in vital sectors. “At a time when the nation is accelerating the pace of its recovery from the impact of COVID-19, we look forward to new ideas from members of the Youth Councils that can support the growth and transformation of the nation,” he added.