New york: The United Arab Emirates hosted a Youth Dialogue event on the sidelines of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80) in New York, attended by H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
According to Emirates News Agency, the Youth Dialogue was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) and convened youth leaders from around the world at the UAE Mission to the United Nations in New York. The event gathered 40 youth delegates, including students and Emirati youth based in the United States.
Participants engaged in discussions on pressing challenges facing their communities. Topics included climate action, environmental justice, peace and conflict prevention, equitable access to education and skills development, and the need to expand digital opportunities in an increasingly connected world.
The Youth Dialogue underscored the UAE's commitment to inclusive, youth-centered engagement, amplifying underrepresented voices and fostering multilateralism. This event built on the success of the inaugural Youth Dialogue held in Brazil during the BRICS Summit in July 2025.
H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan welcomed participants, highlighting the UAE's dedication to fostering platforms prioritizing youth voices. He emphasized that youth are not just future leaders but also current leaders, noting their courage and clarity in confronting urgent challenges such as climate action and digital equity.
A dialogue session featured Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation; Dr. Sultan Al Neyadi, Minister of State for Youth Affairs; and Omran Sharaf, Assistant Foreign Minister for Advanced Science and Technology. The session was moderated by Afra Al Hameli, Director of the Strategic Communications Department at MoFA.
Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy affirmed that young people are already leading in areas like climate action and digital innovation, yet remain underrepresented in global decision-making. She stated that the UAE believes international cooperation must reflect the lived realities of youth, particularly those from regions most affected by global challenges.
The dialogue aimed to capture grassroots perspectives to inform global policy discussions. The UAE intends to reflect these youth voices in upcoming multilateral forums, reinforcing the view that inclusion is a strategic necessity for effective diplomacy.
Discussions emphasized placing youth at the heart of global decision-making and the UAE's role as a bridge connecting generations, regions, and sectors. Speakers stressed that inclusion must be a strategic imperative for legitimacy and effectiveness in today's multilateral systems.
The dialogue also advocated for co-creating global solutions with young people as active partners, moving beyond traditional consultation models.
The Youth Dialogue series is part of the UAE's broader diplomatic strategy to deepen regional connections, build understanding, and strengthen youth engagement in global governance. The UAE will continue to champion youth leadership and inclusive dialogue as pillars of a more representative multilateral system.