Dubai Youth Retreat showcases immense creative potential of Emirati youth to reimagine the future

Latifa bint Mohammed: The Dubai Youth Retreat aligns with Dubai's forward-looking approach, embodying the concept of integrated roles to realise Dubai's vision of fostering innovation

- “The significance of the retreat lies in the creation of genuine, creative partnerships between youth and decision-makers, forming a powerful tool to achieve sustainable development goals”
- Event sponsor Dubai Culture highlights dynamism of youth as key factor in driving positive change and advancement in diverse domains
- The launch of six dialogue platforms and presentation of innovative solutions enabling youth to face future challenges were among the key outcomes of the retreat

In the presence of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, the Dubai Youth Council recently organised the Dubai Youth Retreat, which witnessed the participation of notable figures from diverse domains.

Among the esteemed attendees during the event were His Excellency Dr. Sultan bin Saif Al Neyadi, Minister of State for Youth Affairs; His Excellency Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications; His Excellency Abdullah Mohammed Al Basti, Secretary-General of The Executive Council of Dubai; Her Excellency Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture); His Excellency Abdullah Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi, Director General of the Dubai Government Human Resources Department; and His Excellency Dherar Belhoul Al Falasi, Director General of the Watani Al Emarat Foundation; besides over 80 young men and women from the youth councils in the emirate, in addition to a number of experts in the fields of economy, innovation, space, culture, and community service.

The retreat, sponsored by Dubai Culture, is designed to support and enhance the capabilities of youth in leadership, creativity, economy, and society, while motivating them to develop innovative solutions for future societal challenges. Hosted at the Etihad Museum, the retreat provided an innovative strategic platform that fosters communication between youth, leaders, decision-makers from Dubai's government departments and institutions, as well as experts and specialists from various fields. The forum promoted the exchange of experiences and ideas, aligning with Dubai’s vision to invest in its youth, prepare and qualify them for the future, and actively involve them in shaping it. Such efforts contribute to solidifying Dubai’s position and global leadership.

Her Highness Sheikha Latifa emphasised that the Dubai Youth Retreat aligns with Dubai’s forward-looking approach and commitment to fostering creativity and innovation. She highlighted that the retreat represents an ambitious dialogue, showcasing the creative thinking, innovative vision, and ability of the UAE’s youth to effect positive change in their communities and nation. She said, “This retreat is an investment in tomorrow, and a stepping stone towards a bright and sustainable future, driven by the ambitions of our youth. It will undoubtedly nurture decision-makers and leaders who are responsible and committed to shaping future plans and policies, in line with the innovative and creative vision of our leadership, continuing our journey of excellence.”

Her Highness added, “This retreat embodies the integration of roles necessary to achieve Dubai’s vision of supporting innovation. Its significance lies in building genuine partnerships between youth and decision-makers across various sectors. These partnerships are a vital tool in achieving the sustainable development goals we strive for.” Her Highness highlighted the inspiring events and activities during the Dubai Youth Retreat, held in conjunction with the launch of the National Youth Agenda 2031, which aims to position Emirati youth as a leading model locally and globally in thought, values, and meaningful contributions to economic, social development, and national responsibility.

Invested in the future
Commenting on the event, His Excellency Dr. Sultan Al Neyadi said: “Youth are the foundation of development and the cornerstone for building a prosperous and sustainable future. The wise leadership has always believed in investing in their energies and guiding them towards innovation and creativity in various fields. We constantly strive to provide an enabling environment that allows them to achieve their aspirations and develop their abilities, as they are the leaders of tomorrow who will carry the responsibility of continuing the pioneering achievements witnessed by the UAE.”

HE Al Neyadi added: “The Dubai Youth Retreat has reinforced the values of leadership and innovation among ambitious Emirati youth, strengthening their role in decision-making to shape a bright future for Dubai and the UAE as a whole. This initiative is a result of the efforts that began with the first youth retreat in 2016, followed by the 2024 retreat, which laid the foundation for the launch of the National Youth Agenda 2031. Each of these initiatives has provided a clear vision for the future of youth and represented a significant turning point toward achieving the sustainable development goals.”

Her Excellency Hala Badri emphasised the importance and necessity of empowering, guiding, and supporting the youth in their ambitions and turning their dreams into reality. “Youth are the hope of the present and future, a driving force, a source of inspiration, and the true engine of innovation and sustainable development. Their diverse ideas, skills, and capabilities embody the values of giving in all fields. Our wise leadership has believed in the importance of investing in them and harnessing their energies and competencies, encouraging them to take part in Dubai’s evolution and raising its attractiveness, which has positively impacted the emirate's global prominence,” she said.

“The Dubai Youth Retreat helps aid communication, presenting models of youth thought and guidance. It has created an environment that fosters creativity and excellence, capable of opening new horizons for youth and giving them the opportunity to participate in formulating a series of qualitative initiatives and plans that prepare them for the future, enhancing their role in developing solutions that meet their needs and help them face challenges.  I am proud of the quality of ideas and topics discussed during the retreat and its outcomes, which address the goals of the National Youth Agenda 2031,” she added.

Interactive workshops
The retreat's programme included a series of brainstorming sessions and interactive workshops that addressed themes highlighting the impact of youth and their role in driving positive change and contributing to the development process.

The economy and trade theme discussed the need to develop young skills, equip them with innovative tools to face future challenges and encourage them to build on their ideas and launch entrepreneurial projects. The innovation theme focused on ways to encourage youth to engage in creative thinking, harness technological advancements, and employ them in creating innovative products and services.

Within the theme of the military sector, participants highlighted the need to prepare a generation of youth capable of leadership, believing in teamwork, and possessing a sense of responsibility, which enhances their loyalty and raises their awareness of the importance of defending the nation and maintaining its security and stability.

The space and future theme also formed an important part of the retreat's discussions, where methods to inspire youth and encourage them to participate in scientific research and shape the future of space were explored. Under the values, culture, and community service themes, participants debated the role and responsibility of youth in promoting giving, ethical values, positive behaviours, cultural diversity, and instilling national identity in society, as well as the necessity of their active participation in developing community service.

Hassan Sabt, President of the Dubai Youth Council, said: “The Dubai Youth Retreat represents a pioneering step towards enhancing the role of youth as effective and influential elements in the journey of development and innovation that Dubai is witnessing. Through this retreat, we are keen to create an interactive environment that allows youth the opportunity to connect with leaders and decision-makers directly and express their opinions and ambitions openly. We have been able to provide a strategic platform empowering youth to develop their skills in various fields, whether in leadership, innovation, economic, or social domains. We believe that youth are the essential pillar of Dubai's future, capable of achieving the positive change we all seek.”

Range of outcomes
Sabt added: “The retreat has resulted in a range of outcomes that reflect the deep interaction between youth and leaders, affirming the importance of youth's role in shaping the emirate's future. We are committed to supporting them and providing them tools to face future challenges and achieve their ambitions. This retreat is not just an annual event but the beginning of a series of initiatives that will contribute to transforming Dubai into a global centre for innovation and creativity, driven by the youth’s limitless energies and capabilities.”

The Dubai Youth Retreat concluded with a set of key outcomes, including the launch of six dialogue platforms for young people to discuss various issues of interest and the most pressing challenges they face in different sectors such as economy, culture, military, innovation, artificial intelligence, space, and the future. Reports were also tabled showcasing a wealth of innovative ideas and solutions capable of contributing to Dubai's development and progress, along with the activation of channels for talent transfer and exchange of knowledge between youth, leaders, and experts across various fields.