The Emirates Foundation’s fifth Annual Youth Summit 2017 has successfully concluded with a strong message focusing on the importance of engaging youth and placing them at the forefront of developmental action, and empowering them with the capacity, knowledge and skills to contribute to the 2021 national agenda as key growth and development actors and leaders.

Held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Chairman of Emirates Foundation, the summit brought together the overwhelming participation of over 1,100 youths from across the UAE, along with a group of senior officials, decision makers, experts, government representatives, and business leaders who came together to respond to the summit’s key theme of, "Guide-Empower-Future Leader".

The summit was attended by the UAE’s key leaders and decision-makers, including H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras al-Khaimah, Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Managing Director of Emirates Foundation, Hessa Essa Buhumaid, Minister of Community Development, and Mohammad Abdullah Al Junaibi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi World Games Higher Committee.

Commenting on the success of the summit, Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan said, "To realise the full potential of young people, we need to engage and include them in the design and execution of developmental programmes and ensure that their voices are not just heard but are mainstreamed across all sectors."

He thanked H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi for his inspiring words, active engagement and support during the first day of the summit and confirmed the foundations’ commitment to guiding and empowering young future Emirati leaders across the entire UAE.

In her opening speech, during the summit’s second day, the Minister of Community Development said, "Volunteerism amongst youth is a key pillar of economic development and growth for our nation, and through our partnership with Emirates Foundation, which has lead to the creation of 'volunteers.ae' the nation’s largest youth volunteerism network promoting the culture of volunteerism and civic engagement across the UAE, we will continue to provide young people with opportunities to develop their skills and adopt volunteerism as a way of life."

Commenting on the role of volunteers.ae in the 2019 Special Olympics, she said, "Through our partnership with Emirates Foundation, we will work at, and leverage, all our efforts through volunteers.ae to ensure the smooth and successful implementation of the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Abu Dhabi."

She then announced the opening of registration for volunteers from across the nation, especially youth, who can register on the web site at volunteers.ae, and encouraged to take part and support both the MENA Regional Games 2018 and the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Abu Dhabi.

The summit's second day also hosted a special plenary session with the participation of Mohammad Abdullah Al Junaibi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi World Games Higher Committee, on the benefits of volunteering at the Special Olympics World Games, 2019.

The second day of the summit also saw the Emirates Award for Arabian Gulf Youth ‘Pitch Day’ where shortlisted teams in the 2017 Emirates Award for Arabian Gulf Youth, EAAGY, an initiative of Emirates Foundation, pitched their new social enterprise projects in front of a panel of distinguished judges for a chance to be selected as one of the top three award winners for this year. The winners will be announced in Abu Dhabi on 7th November.

The shortlisted participants, consisting of GCC nationals residing in the UAE, pitched their concepts in the hope of receiving one of the top prize incubation grants, amounting to AED100,000, AED70,000, and AED50,000, respectively.

Commenting on the ideas presented as part of the EAAGY Pitch Day, Maytha Al Habsi, Deputy CEO of Emirates Foundation, said, "We are certain that members of the judging committee will spare no effort to provide the best assessment for these projects and select winners based on the originality of the concept idea, its scalability, and potential to address fundamental social causes."