'Create our present and future': Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed's message to UAE youth at Majlis event

Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi confident in the abilities of country's next generation

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - October 09, 2018: HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces (R), tours the Mohamed Bin Zayed MaShow more

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed has called on UAE youngsters to help create the country's "present and future".

At the Mohamed bin Zayed Majlis for Future Generations, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces said he was confident in the abilities of the nation’s youth to carry the country to continued prosperity.

“We are confident in the role of the UAE’s ambitious youth, and we believe in their abilities to create the country’s present and future,” Sheikh Mohamed said. “We always aim to qualify, motivate and empower them to take the nation’s flag and carry it to our supreme glory.”

Sheikh Mohamed called on future generations to work hard and dedicate themselves to achieving their goals during his address at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

Sheikh Mohamed attended sessions by Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Affairs Authority and Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman of Emaar Properties, at the two-day event, which concluded yesterday.

He toured the exhibition that is part of the Majilis, accompanied by Mohamed Khalifa Al Nuaimi, Director of the Education Affairs Office at the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court and Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Majlis, including the Light Box Pavilion, which provided information and data on health, agriculture and artificial intelligence.

Sheikh Mohamed also checked in at the Policy Makers Challenge Pavilion, which aims to empower youth to face their challenges head on, and the Sports Pavilion, where he met disabled athletes. The Crown Prince expressed his delight at the participation of young people at the event, which drew thousands of visitors.

The majlis brought together more than 3,500 students, senior local officials and prominent thinkers under the theme, The Leaders of Today Meet the Leaders of Tomorrow, through more than 300 sessions and workshops and six interactive platforms in the areas of science, technology, entrepreneurship, leadership, development, sports, fitness, culture and the media.

Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, said the people of the UAE are the country’s true wealth and not oil.

He said worldwide the focus is on agricultural or oil or technological investment, but in the UAE, the focus was on human investment above all.

Sheikh Saif mentioned the team in Japan who will launch the first satellite made by Emiratis, Khalifa Sat.

“We are all proud of you for achieving the Emirati equation, so be fighters and pioneers and creators of the future.”

Mr Al Mubarak told attendees at the capital event the achievements of the individual were vital.

“The most important things for the UAE are not oil or gas, but the individual.

“In health for example, without a doubt, the journey we began 50 years, was very difficult. In the beginning, we had no hospitals and look where we are today.

“We have persistence and a vision and this is what has helped us reach where we are today, even in education. But if you ask us if we have reached the required level, the answer is no, because we always want the best and want to be the first.”