His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office, has met with members of the Abu Dhabi Youth Council’s 5th cycle (2021-2023). His Highness also welcomed the members of the 6th cycle (2023-2025) and wished them success in advancing youth empowerment and community engagement across a variety of fields.
During the meeting, His Highness reviewed key outcomes of the programmes and initiatives launched by the Abu Dhabi Youth Council’s 5th cycle, which he discussed with the young council members who have implemented the projects together with strategic partners. HH was briefed on the impact of several youth empowerment initiatives that are strengthening the capabilities of young Emiratis to enable them to actively participate in the nation’s development by harnessing young people’s abilities to work in high-priority areas and steer the growth of the knowledge economy.
His Highness was accompanied by His Excellency Saif Saeed Ghobash, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council. HH congratulated the members for their outstanding contribution to youth initiatives over their term and encouraged them to continue supporting young people and sharing what they have learned to enrich public life and support younger generations to achieve their goals.
His Highness also welcomed the members of the 6th cycle (2023-2025), wishing them luck in fulfilling their role to further advance and sustain impactful youth programmes by activating and strengthening the role of youth across government entities to enable young people to express their ideas and use their skills.
During the meeting, HH also affirmed the UAE leadership’s commitment to youth empowerment as a top priority, adding that youth are the driving force behind the nation’s future development, and that youth councils provide a platform to build future-ready generations that use innovative and forward-thinking solutions to face future challenges and lead the national economy.
The Abu Dhabi Youth Council’s 5th cycle has launched 22 initiatives that have supported more than 20,000 beneficiaries from different age categories. In addition, seven new initiatives are currently being developed, in cooperation with 28 partners representing public, private and third sector entities, to ensure the ongoing development of sustainable youth empowerment efforts.
During its previous cycle, the Abu Dhabi Youth Council worked to enhance communication with youth from various backgrounds, with a particular focus on People of Determination, low-income youth, inmates from penitentiary and correctional institutions, jobseekers, university students, artists and creatives, among others. This was achieved by ensuring youth representatives were represented at local community centres (Majalis) and by conducting field visits to higher education establishments based in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra region, as well as organising events and activities aligned with young people’s interests.
Among the key youth empowerment initiatives launched by Abu Dhabi Youth Council’s 5th cycle were: the Job Preparation and Employment Support initiative, developed in cooperation with leading private sector entities; the An Hour with Youth initiative, launched in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Councils at the Presidential Court; the Youth Inventors initiative, launched in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development; the Emergencies and Crises Management Ambassadors Program, delivered in conjunction with the Emergencies, Crises and Disasters Management Centre Abu Dhabi; and the Himmat Shabab: People of Determination Inclusion initiative, launched in cooperation with the Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination.
