Young Emiratis key to UAE's success, says ambassador

Mansoor Abulhoul, the country's ambassador to the UK, addresses London event

Mansoor Abulhoul, the UAE ambassador to UK,  at the London Embassy. Mark Chilvers

Young people are key to the future success and prosperity of the UAE, the country’s ambassador to the UK has said.

Mansoor Abulhoul said the nation was in “good hands” as students from the Emirates continued to excel at universities around the world.

Speaking at a reception in London on Friday to mark the United Nations’ International Youth Day, Mr Abulhoul highlighted the UAE’s Global Youth Councils initiative.

The scheme brings together Emirati students from across the globe to promote better cultural understanding between countries.

“I'm a firm believer that young people are key to our country's success and from being here today among so many bright, talented Emiratis, I'm convinced that the UAE's future is in good hands,” Mr Abulhoul said.

“The Global Youth Council is a truly brilliant initiative and I am very sad to say that it wasn't around when I was a student in the UK many years ago.”

There are currently more than 1,500 Emirati students studying at schools and universities across the UK.

Friday’s event was held at Glasgow Caledonian University’s London campus. The university also has campuses in Glasgow and New York.

Mr Abulhoul said he hoped to hear from students on how the youth council was helping them solve international issues as well as advance their individual career prospects.

“The council is not just about helping young Emiratis,” he said. “It is also about brilliant young Emiratis coming together to make the world a better place.

“Empowering you all to make a positive impact in your universities and communities.

“And that’s what the UN's International Youth Day is all about, particularly this year with its theme of transforming education and making it available to all.

“That is an incredibly important ambition and one where young people like you all have a key role to play.”

Abdulla Al Kaabi, the UAE’s Cultural Attache in the UK, said the embassy was honoured to take part in the event.

He said the government of the UAE had made considerable effort to make education “more inclusive and accessible to the youth”.

“They [the UAE government] have made it the country's mandate to seek the success of youth in global evidence,” he said.

“We hope to be part of that success of the United Nations 17 goals of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.”