The final day of Make it in the Emirates 2026 delivered a clear message from the country's top ministers and officials: investing in young people is not a social priority — it is an industrial one.
Dr. Sultan Al Neyadi, Minister of State for Youth Affairs, set the tone early, urging young people at career crossroads to embrace continuous learning.
"There is never a time that is too late — the train never leaves without you,"
he told delegates.
A major announcement came from Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Advisor at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who unveiled the Shabab AI initiative. Led by the Abu Dhabi Youth Council under the Federal Youth Authority, the programme targets Emiratis aged 18 to 35, guiding participants from basic AI awareness through to real-world application. An inaugural Youth Lab drew more than 71 participants, producing 133 ideas with support from over 15 strategic partners.
Dr. Farah Al Zarooni of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology framed the conversation in economic terms.
"If you invest in the human being, you invest in an entire economic ecosystem,"
she said, noting that MoIAT's Industrialist Program has generated more than 4,000 jobs across 12 sectors. She also highlighted that 61% of SMEs and startups represented at this year's event are youth-led.
On the education front, Prof. Ebrahim Al Hajri, President of Khalifa University, confirmed the institution is on track to embed AI across every field of study by 2028. Nafis Secretary General Ghannam Butti Al Mazrouei called on the private sector to align curricula with market needs, targeting a 90% match between education outcomes and employer requirements.
Dr. Mohammed Hamad Al Kuwaiti of the UAE Cyber Security Council closed the day with a fitting note:
"The country has emerged stronger, and it will continue to grow stronger — through its youth."
News Source: Emirates News Agency
