UAE leaders praise key role of youth in nation’s growth

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, said via the X platform: “On International Youth Day, we express our appreciation for the pivotal role of youth in the advancement and prosperity of societies. We celebrate the achievements, ambitions, and active presence of Emirati youth in all areas of national work, and we affirm our continued empowerment and preparation for them to lead the development process and build a better future for our nation.”

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, stated via the X platform that the youth of the nation are the fuel, spirit and driving force of its progress.

“On International Youth Day, we celebrate our young nation, our loyal youth in all fields, and the youthful spirit that drives our vision and ambitions towards internationalism,” he said. “We say to all our young people across the country, you are the fuel, spirit and driving force of our progress, and with you and for you, we are building the best living environment for the youth around the world,” he added.

His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah stated, “We now protect the youth with correct knowledge and attractive jobs, and provide them with homes they can be proud of. However, the world is open, and the soul is prone to temptation. We tell the youth that the mosque is there, the university is there, and the school is there. We hope that falsehood does not come to them from within themselves.”

Sheikha Latifa Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), highlighted the capability of young people to change the world for the better in various ways.

In a statement to mark International Youth Day 2025, Sheikha Latifa said it was vital that the youth were accorded the necessary encouragement to make a tangible impact in their respective communities and the world at large.

She emphasised that there is something inherently unique about the way young people move through the world, stirring a curiosity about what might be achieved, reminding one and all of their own first encounters with possibility.

The youth, Sheikha Latifa, said, may not always announce their impact, yet it happens in quiet but powerful ways, by challenging a habit, reimagining a process, or offering an idea no one thought to consider.

Through their creativity, effortless ease as communicators, and spirit of collaboration, the youth are redefining progress, making it more inclusive, inventive, and responsive to the challenges the world faces, she said.

The theme of this year’s International Youth Day, “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond,” reflects what is already unfolding in the UAE and beyond, Sheikha Latifa said.

“Young people engage with this world in a distinctive way. I am captivated by the passion I see in their eyes, and by the curiosity and love of exploration that characterises them. The difference they make is reflected in their unique ideas, bold new visions, and their ability to challenge the norm,” she added.

Sheikha Latifa added that, across the UAE, young people are transforming global challenges into local opportunities, weaving hope into policy and progress into the fabric of daily life. Whether it’s a student-led climate solution, a neighbourhood coding programme, or a grassroots art initiative, these offer proof that innovation, when grounded in empathy, can transform entire systems from the ground up, she pointed out.

She recalled how Sheikh Mohammed, who had placed unwavering belief in her own innate potential just as she saw the promise in the youth of the UAE, once said: “Our value in life is defined by what we do.”

Sheikha Latifa said she saw that same spirit reflected in the young people of the UAE, in their courage to act, their creativity to imagine, and their determination to build a better future, urging one and all to listen to them, invest in them, and walk alongside them, knowing that when the youth lead, the world will surely move forward.