Young Arab Leaders UAE Chapter Executive Board promises intensified drive to develop new leadership in region

At a gala reception held at The Capital Club in the Dubai International Financial Centre, Assem O. Kabesh, CEO of Young Arab Leaders (YAL), introduced the newly elected UAE Chapter Executive Board to a select gathering of YAL members and leading business and government leaders.

H.E. Dr. Omar Bin Sulaiman, Chairman of the Board, YAL said, 'The new Executive Board of the UAE Chapter will bring a fresh energy and dynamism to the development of YAL and the realisation of its vision. With new economic growth, young people are set to play a greater role in the development of this region. YAL's new Executive Board will help the organisation raise its commitment in empowering our young leaders and widening opportunities for them to participate in regional development. I look forward to working closely with the new Executive Boards of the other YAL Chapters to develop new initiatives that further the organisation's mission.'

Speaking at the reception, Assem O. Kabesh said, 'The new leadership of YAL's UAE Chapter promises positive growth for the institution. Each of the members of the new Executive Board reflect the ideals of YAL, which define a true Young Arab Leader as one who has the commitment to seek positive change for our region. The new UAE Chapter Executive Board, the YAL leadership and members across the region share a common commitment to work for our community and pave the path for a better tomorrow for our region. I am confident that the UAE Chapter's new initiatives and programs will be the catalyst for the growth and progress of the youth in the country.'

In his speech as the new Chairman of the YAL UAE Chapter, Sheikh Sultan Al Qassemi, affirmed his and his team's commitment to providing a fresh boost to the search, nurturing, training and development of the leaders of the future from among the young citizens of the UAE.

'We have taken a fresh initiative to invite talented young Emiratis to join us in creating a better future for our country, our region and for ourselves and our families. YAL is your organization, created by your presence and one that exists to enrich your lives socially, intellectually and on a personal level,'

said Sheikh Sultan while calling upon the assembled guests to help achieve the ambitious goals of YAL.

The high-profile reception had a special address by noted speaker, thinker and author Parag Khanna, Director of the Global Governance Initiative and Senior Research Fellow in the American Strategy Program at the New America Foundation.

'YAL is one of the key developments that show how enlightened leadership is emerging with a fresh entrepreneurial energy to create a new Arab world for the years ahead. A true exemplification of this is the fact that the rest of the world is taking notice of what is happening in Dubai today,' he told the assembled guests.

In her address, Mona Al Gurg, Vice-Chairwoman of the YAL UAE Chapter, spoke of the vast opportunities that need to be offered to the youth of the nation, especially to the women. She also spoke about the positive challenges facing the board to create these platforms for a brighter future for the country and the region.

'I address the youth of this nation and call upon them to participate in the growth of our homeland in whichever fields they can contribute - be it business, academic, government or social. There are tremendous opportunities everywhere and I know that we have the necessary skills base among our young to ensure a bright future for our nation,' Al Gurg added.

Young Arab Leaders (YAL) is the region's foremost development platform for business, public sector and civil society leaders. It is a regional, not-for-profit network of members, who are young Arab men and women, with diverse areas of expertise, and with the aim to be the triggers for positive change for the future generations of the Arab World. YAL has members from various Arab countries and currently has YAL Chapters in 6 Arab nations -- Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Palestine and UAE.