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The UAE government today launched the "SDG Young Leaders Programme", a national initiative aimed at boosting UAE youth participation in Sustainability initiatives.
The programme, designed and managed by the Secretariat of the National Committee on SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), aims to provide youth with the knowledge, experience and skills necessary to participate effectively in supporting and leading national and international initiatives and programmes to achieve global sustainable development goals and build a better more sustainable future.
The programme is conducted in a strategic partnership with the CSR UAE, The Federal Youth Authority as well as the Government Leadership Programme at the Prime Minister’s Office.
Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Chairwoman of the National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals, said that the UAE has become a global incubator for innovative models in empowering youth and their participation in the development process. She added that empowering youth embodies the directives of the UAE’s wise leadership that believes in their capabilities and energy.
Al Hashemy further stressed that "the UAE is keen on expanding the role of youth and upskilling them to tackle future trends, and providing them with the tools and means that support their role in building our nation and our transformation into a knowledge-based and sustainable economy".
Upon the launch of the programme, members of the UAE National Committee on SDGs will start working closely with UAE youth on various projects, programmes and initiatives. What makes this programme unique is the alignment with the UN’s "Decade of Action" call, signalling the importance of focusing on implementing and accelerating impact.
The programme will also focus on capacity building as a priority of the UAE’s national SDG implementation journey, the National Committee on SDGs will further announce more youth-driven programmes to ensure inclusive capacity development and support to the future decision-makers.
The SDG Young Leaders Programme is a continuation of the Youth Advisory Council on SDGs in its second term, as it will expand its outreach by creating various youth taskforces that focus on the different elements of the SDG file and the UAE objectives towards the fulfilment of the goals locally and globally.
