Chairman of Young Arab Leaders opens Leaders in Dubai

Al Gergawi said: 'His Highness took his people - and this region - into a new era of prosperity, through his vision and leadership. He gave them a belief in the future and unleashed the potential of his people.'

Al Gergawi opened Leaders in Dubai in his capacity as Chairman of the Young Arab Leaders (YAL) Executive Committee.

The ground-breaking event - the biggest business gathering in Dubai since the Annual Meetings of the World Bank and IMF in September 2003 - has been held under the patronage of His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defence Minister.

'I urge you here in the audience to listen and learn to these speakers. Love what you do, or you won't excel at it.

'Great leaders should incubate their people, then move them up, give them chances and forgive their mistakes.'

Forty other Young Arab Leaders joined government ministers and representatives from Corporate Arabia to hear Al Gergawi praise the innovation of Dubai's Sheikh Mohammed.

He said: 'This region has always been innovative, and Sheikh Mohammed has shown us we can achieve anything if we believe we can. Now the UAE now ranks as the best business and economic environment in the Arab World, as well as number 16 in the world.'

Al Gergawi highlighted the Young Arab Leaders initiative, saying: 'Sixty per cent of the UAE's population is under 18, and it is our duty to develop the next generation in this part of the world.'

Leaders in Dubai is sponsored by EMAAR, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), Citigroup, Shell, Nokia and Visa International. Al Hayat, Ameinfo.com, CNN and Gulf Business are the event's key media partners, HP is the technology supporter and the official hotel is The Fairmont, Dubai.

The event is organised by Leading Minds, part of the IIR international group. Leading Minds specialises in presenting the latest thoughts and groundbreaking ideas from pre-eminent international business authorities.