US President George Bush holds talks with Young Arab Leaders

The US president acknowledged YAL's contribution to creating a better society through regional and international initiatives such as the Global Action Forum. He also called for greater partnership between the two sides for achieving peace and progress in the Middle East.

He said: "I am particularly pleased to know you have set up interchanges with some of the young in my country. You will find them to be compassionate and decent people who share the same goals and dreams."

The US President also highlighted the concerted efforts of the US leaders to allay common American misconceptions about the Arab world.

His Excellency Dr. Omar bin Sulaiman, Chairman of the YAL Board, along with several members, highlighted the framework of Young Arab Leaders as the foremost development platform for business, public sector, and civil society leaders in the Middle East. The YAL members, including Saeed Al Muntafiq, Executive Chairman of Tatweer and Najla Al Awadhi, Deputy CEO of Dubai Media Incorporated also elaborated on the organisation's pioneering role in creating opportunities for the Arab youth in education, leadership development and entrepreneurship.

Commenting on the meeting with the US President, His Excellency Dr. Bin Sulaiman said: "Bridging the gap between the US and the Arab world is a key step towards tackling regional challenges. This will also lead to the creation of an environment that will eventually bring prosperity and stability to future generations."

"There is a complementarity between the development goals and aspirations of the Middle East and those of industrialized economies. In both cases, economic prosperity correlates to political stability. We, therefore, seek to use this common platform to foster progressive dialogue between the two communities."

The YAL members also included Dr. Habib Al Mulla, Chairman Strategic Affairs Committee; Mona Al Marri, CEO of Media Services Group; Elias Bu Saab, Vice President, American University in Dubai; Maha Al Ghunaim, Vice Chairman, Global Investment House; Mustafa AbdelWadood, Managing Director of Abraaj Capital.
His Excellency Dr. Bin Sulaiman added: "As a pan Arab organisation representing over 500 young leaders, we took the lead to initiate dialogue with the rest of the world. The Global Action Forum is reckoned to be an effective tool for constructive dialogue on issues of high relevance to our youth."

"I am confident the support expressed by the US president to our efforts will give a boost to the next Arab American Action Forum, scheduled in March."

As a key step towards establishing a symbiotic relationship between the Arab world and the US, over 200 Arab and American leaders met during the first annual Arab and American Action Forum in New York in September 2006. The meeting resulted in a significant outcome to launch 20 joint projects in five development areas, including education, entrepreneurship, leadership, dialogue exchange, and youth networks, providing opportunities for the Arab youth to prepare them for the global economy.

Established in 2004, Young Arab Leaders was founded by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed to galvanize a predominantly young population from across the Arab world for assuming leadership roles in the future.