In celebration of World Youth Skills Day 2022

MOE organizes ‘Our Youth Talents’ initiative to promote creative projects of UAE youth before the private sector

H.E. Bin Touq: In line with our wise leadership’s vision, the UAE believes firmly in the capabilities of our youth, and empowering them with the skills of the future is a national priority

As part of the UAE’s World Youth Skills Day 2022 celebrations, the Ministry of Economy (MOE) organized the ‘Our Youth Talents’ initiative, which acquainted companies, investors, and businessmen from the private sector with the projects and creative ideas of the UAE youth, thereby increasing the opportunities for collaboration and investment in them. The initiative featured the ‘Our Youth Talents’ contest, where top three startups got selected out of the 20 startups that applied. The event was attended by H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy; H.E. Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade; and H.E. Shamma Al Mazrui, Minister of State for Youth.

H.E. Bin Touq said: “In line with our wise leadership’s vision, the UAE believes firmly in the capabilities and skills of our youth as they are the real assets in driving development forward, the builders of the future, and the main source for innovation. The UAE has worked to equip them with the skills of the future as part of its national priorities, in addition to enabling their roles in different fields, utilizing every resource to invest in building their capabilities and knowledge, and empower and encourage them to take responsibilities, innovate, and participate in building the future of the UAE.”

The Minister of Economy stated that the ‘Our Youth Talents’ initiative serves as a pioneering forum that supports the youth’s innovation, projects, and startups by introducing them to investors and enhancing the chances of transforming them into successful businesses that strengthen the national economy and consolidate the UAE’s position as a leading global destination for entrepreneurship.

H.E. Dr Al Zeyoudi said: “This initiative is part of a series of programs and initiatives recently launched by the UAE to help create younger generations that are capable of innovation, creativity, and leadership. These initiatives will hone their skills and provide them with expertise in all fields, in addition to fostering the spirit of teamwork and generosity in them in line with the requirements of the country’s labor market. Besides, they will help build promising young national competencies, invest in their energies, and support their ideas to be future leaders, according to the determinants of the UAE Centennial 2071.”

The three winning startups of the ‘Our Youth Talents’ contest are Oxygenate, I hear you, and Hero Academy, who were awarded cash prizes.

The UAE joined the rest of the world in celebrating the World Youth Skills Day 2022, which was launched by the United Nations and falls on 15 July every year. The annual occasion  brings attention to the strategic importance of providing youth with the necessary skills for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship. On this occasion, the UAE encourages its youth to acquire new skills in various fields as an essential means for achieving success.