Dubai: H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, attended the Young Arab Leaders Forum, marking the preliminary day of the World Governments Summit 2026 in Dubai. The forum convened prominent Arab leaders and influential figures from various sectors, including the economy, entrepreneurship, government leadership, sports innovation, culture, and the arts.
According to Emirates News Agency, the forum's agenda featured a series of keynote and panel discussions delivered by 15 speakers, offering insights into the current reality of Arab youth and the promising opportunities ahead. Participants discussed key challenges facing young people today and explored practical pathways to overcome them, with a focus on preparing Arab youth to navigate future transformations. The Young Arab Leaders network, comprising over 700 young Arab men and women, aims to foster dialogue on empowering Arab youth across diverse fields, harnessing their potential to advance their communities and cultivating a new generation of capable young leaders.
In his opening address, Khalfan Belhoul, Chairman of Young Arab Leaders, emphasized the importance of empowering youth, as envisioned by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Belhoul stated that Arab youth have the courage to shape the future and the capacity to handle its responsibilities. He highlighted the need for investment in people to cultivate leaders with vision and capability, who understand economic transformation and engage with its fundamental questions.
Ahmed Galal Ismail, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Holding in Egypt, discussed empowering Arab youth with skills to keep pace with technological transformations in a session titled 'The Human Algorithm: Leading at Scale in the Age of AI.' Other notable sessions included 'The Multiplier Effect: Aligning Sovereign, VC, and Talent,' featuring Abdulwahab Alrasheed, Rabea Ataya, and Walid Mansour, and 'The Space Silk Road: Launching Sovereign Ambition from Arab Soil,' with participation from H.H. Sayyid Azzan bin Qais Al Said and Emirati astronaut Hazzaa Al Mansoori.
Nadine Mezher, Faisal Toukan, and Talal Toukan featured in a session titled 'Designing the Digital and Physical Fabric of the Arab World,' followed by Sarah Al Battouty's session 'The Circular Frontier: Waste-to-Wealth and the New Social Contract.' The forum concluded with Fadi Ghandour, Chairman of Wamda, discussing the importance of building resilience in an AI-native world.
Looking ahead, the Young Arab Leaders initiative plans to implement future-focused projects to empower the next generation of Arab leaders, drawing on the collective expertise of participating leaders. The initiative aims to support impactful initiatives and expand the role of young Arab leadership across broader sectors. The Board of Directors of Young Arab Leaders includes distinguished individuals from across the Arab world, reflecting a commitment to fostering youth leadership and engagement.