Dubai to Host Young Arab Leaders Forum Before World Government Summit

Photo: Dubai Government Media Office

Dubai is set to host the first-ever Young Arab Leaders Forum on Monday, February 10, as part of the pre-event activities leading up to the World Government Summit 2025. This landmark gathering aims to empower young leaders from across the Arab world, providing them with the tools, insights, and connections to become changemakers in various fields.

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The forum will be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF). It will welcome more than 200 emerging leaders from different Arab countries, fostering dialogue on youth empowerment and leadership development.

This event is a continuation of the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Almost 20 years ago, Sheikh Mohammed launched the Young Arab Leaders initiative to equip Arab youth with the necessary skills, networks, and opportunities to create progress across sectors.

The forum will feature a series of engaging keynote speeches and panel discussions. These sessions will cover topics such as leadership development, youth readiness, and the role of young leaders in shaping regional transformations.

His Excellency Khalfan Belhoul, Chairman of the Young Arab Leaders initiative, will deliver the opening keynote speech. Following this, His Excellency Marzouq Al-Ghanim, former Speaker of the Kuwaiti National Assembly, will talk about the importance of preparing young leaders for modern challenges.

Another important speaker, His Excellency Sheikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Bahrain's Minister of Finance and National Economy, will discuss how young Arab leaders can contribute to shaping the region's economic future. Her Excellency Rania Al-Mashat, Egypt's Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, will share insights on youth readiness and their potential for leadership roles.

Hussain Sajwani, Founder and Chairman of DAMAC Properties, will join a panel to explore how youth leadership can drive innovation and build a resilient economy.
Khalfan Belhoul emphasized that this forum aims to spark important discussions about empowering Arab youth and preparing them to become effective leaders capable of positive change. He expressed confidence that the forum would launch impactful initiatives soon by drawing on the expertise of participants.

A notable session on ‘Arab Leaders in Entrepreneurship’ will include prominent figures such as Mohamad Ballout, CEO and Co-founder of Kitopi; Mahmoud Adi, Founding Partner of Shorooq Investments; Hosam Arab, Co-founder and CEO of Tabby; and Mona Ataya, Founder of Mumzworld. They will share valuable lessons on fostering entrepreneurship among young leaders.

In the realm of diplomacy, His Excellency Omar Ghobash, UAE Ambassador to the Holy See and Adviser to the UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, will deliver a keynote titled ‘Young Leaders and the Future of Arab Diplomacy.’ He will highlight how youth can play a vital role in shaping the region's global engagement.

The forum will also explore leadership in sports, arts, and culture. Renowned athletes like Saudi football legend Sami Al-Jaber, Emirati star Ismail Matar, and Iraqi footballer Nashat Akram will participate in the session titled ‘Arab Sports Leadership.’ They will discuss how sports can foster youth empowerment and cooperation across the region.

Creative minds will take the spotlight during the session on ‘Arab Leadership in Art and Culture,’ which will feature Tunisian artist El Sayed, Saudi musician Mishaal Tamer, Egyptian architect Shahira Fahmy, and celebrated chef Mohamad Orfali of Orfali Bros Bistro.

The event will conclude with a keynote address by Nasser Al-Khater, CEO of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. He will share key leadership lessons from organizing one of the world’s most prestigious sporting events.

Looking ahead, the Young Arab Leaders initiative aims to engage 50,000 participants in the coming years. Through mentorship, networking opportunities, and innovative projects, it seeks to cultivate a strong network of future leaders who can drive innovation, economic development, and social progress across the Arab world.

Recently, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed approved the formation of the Young Arab Leaders Board of Directors, chaired by HE Khalfan Belhoul. The board includes distinguished figures from across the region, such as Sheikh Abdulla bin Khalifa Al Khalifa from Bahrain, Dr. Tamam Menko from Jordan, Fahad AlGhanim from Kuwait, Aïssata Lam from Mauritania, and Ibrahim Mohtaseb from Saudi Arabia.

The Young Arab Leaders Forum marks a significant step toward inspiring and empowering the next generation of leaders. It aims to support Arab youth in becoming key contributors to the region’s development and innovation journey.