Both of the UAE’s senior leaders used International Youth Day on 12 August to restate their commitment to UAE youth empowerment as a national priority, posting separate messages on X that framed young people as the country’s primary force for progress.
What the leaders said
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, wrote: ‘On International Youth Day, we reaffirm our deep-rooted confidence in the youth of the UAE and underscore our pride in their ongoing contributions to our nation’s development. By embracing innovation and leadership, young people are central to achieving a future in which opportunity can grow for all.’
He added: ‘The UAE is determined to continue empowering youth as a lasting investment in the shared progress and prosperity of our world.’
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, also posted on X, describing young Emiratis as the country’s most valuable asset. ‘On International Youth Day, we renew our confidence in the most precious wealth and the greatest hope for our nation. Today, our youth are leading the greatest scientific, economic, and technological projects. Their energy is our primary driving force toward the top, and investing in and empowering them will remain a national priority and an ongoing approach to our work,’ he wrote.
International Youth Day is observed annually on 12 August to highlight the role of young people in addressing global challenges.
Programmes behind the pledges
The statements sit alongside a set of existing federal programmes directed at UAE youth empowerment. The UAE launched the Arab Youth Center during the World Government Summit in 2017 as a regional body focused on developing youth capabilities across the Arab world. It runs more than 25 initiatives a year, connecting young people with industry professionals, academic institutions, and business-building opportunities, according to the UAE Government Portal.
A separate initiative, the Emirates Youth Professional School (EYPS), opened in November 2019 under the Federal Youth Authority. It targets learners aged 15 to 35 and provides vocational skills and career development training at no cost, delivered through a crowdsourcing model that draws on teachers, institutions, and working professionals. Details are available on the UAE Government Portal’s EYPS page.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid approved the appointment of Khaled Mohammed Rashid Al Nuaimi as Director of the Federal Youth Authority, with the rank of Under-Secretary, on 26 December 2024, according to the Dubai Media Office. Al Nuaimi is a graduate of the UAE Government Leaders Programme and holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Dubai.
The Federal Youth Authority sits at the centre of the government’s youth policy architecture. Its programmes and the leadership appointment signal that the institutions behind the pledges remain active, with the EYPS continuing to take enrolments from residents across the eligible age range.
