UAE launches Young Government Leaders Programme

The Young Government Leaders Programme 2024 was inaugurated during the UAE Government’s Annual Meetings on Monday, aiming to amplify the role of young government leaders across the country.

For the first time since the UAE Government’s Annual Meetings began in 2017, high-potential young leaders, selected through a rigorous assessment process, will participate alongside government officials. The opportunity will provide them with insights into key national directions, strategies, and projects, preparing them for future leadership roles and enabling them to contribute to significant development transformations.

With 45 young leaders from federal and local government entities joining its first edition, the program offers a national platform to build capacities and develop responsible, proactive, strategic leaders ready to create a better future for the UAE.

The Minister of State for Government Development and the Future, Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi, affirmed that under the leadership of His Highness President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the UAE has made major leaps forward and is well-positioned for future opportunities, driven by the capabilities of its young government leaders.

Al Roumi said, “This program provides young leaders with strategic insights into government priorities and plans. Their participation in shaping key transformations during the UAE Government’s Annual Meetings marks a significant step in their journey towards future leadership roles.”

The Minister of State for Youth Affairs, Dr. Sultan Al Neyadi, reiterated the UAE leadership's belief in the energy and remarkable potential of its youth, granting them opportunities to contribute to decision-making within the nation’s foremost platforms for driving change. Over the decades, the nation's leadership has empowered young people through various leadership programs and initiatives, fostering a generation of role models who have advanced national goals and contributed to building a better future.

Al Neyadi shared his experience within the UAE Astronaut Program, where he participated in the longest Arab space mission, spending six months aboard the International Space Station. He discussed the insights gained from his diverse experiences, from preparing to manage change and lead under pressure to developing project design, team building, integration, cooperation, and effective resource utilization to achieve targets and goals.

Al Neyadi said: "Youth must seize available opportunities”, noting that their participation in the program offers an exceptional experience to gain skills, understand the model of decision-making in the UAE’s key national platforms, and learn directly from top government leaders.

As part of the program, the Impactful Leaders Council hosted government leaders from various key sectors, who engaged with young leaders and shared their strategic insights to help them acquire key leadership skills that help them drive future success of the UAE Government.

Other interactive sessions in the program, part of an initiative titled ‘Meet an Inspiring Leader’, allowed young leaders to meet an inspiring role model in a one-to-one session to learn about key challenges leaders face and how to navigate them.

The programme's selection process prioritized candidates demonstrating a clear vision, a strong sense of responsibility, a commitment to national interests, strategic foresight, leadership and innovation capabilities, data-driven decision-making, and effective communication skills among other criteria.