UAE Hosts Youth Dialogue Alongside UN General Assembly in New York with Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed

The UAE hosted a Youth Dialogue on the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly in New York, bringing together 40 young leaders from around the world to discuss climate action, digital justice, peace-building, and education access. The event signals the UAE's push to make youth voices central to international diplomacy rather than just consulting them on the sidelines.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, attended the dialogue at the UAE's permanent UN mission. The participants included students and young Emiratis living in the United States, who engaged in wide-ranging discussions about the biggest challenges facing their communities.

The conversations covered climate action, environmental justice, peace and conflict prevention, equal access to education, and skills development. Participants also focused on closing digital gaps and creating opportunities in an increasingly connected world.

"Young people are not just future leaders, they are leaders of the present," Sheikh Abdullah told participants. He pointed to their courage, creativity, and clear vision in tackling urgent challenges from climate action to digital justice, from peace-building to education.

This marks the second Youth Dialogue after the first was held in Brazil during the BRICS summit in July. The UAE is positioning these events as part of a broader diplomatic strategy that puts inclusive, cross-generational engagement at its center.

Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashimi, Minister of State for International Cooperation, led a panel discussion alongside Dr. Sultan Al Neyadi, Minister of State for Youth Affairs. She emphasized that despite young people's active contributions across various fields, their representation in global decision-making remains limited.

"International cooperation should reflect the reality that young people live, especially in regions most affected by current challenges," Al Hashimi said. "This dialogue embodies our commitment to adopting a diplomatic approach based on listening, learning, and evolving alongside the next generation of leaders."

The UAE plans to integrate these youth voices into upcoming multilateral forums. Officials stressed that inclusivity isn't just a moral duty but a strategic necessity for effective diplomacy. The discussions highlighted the need to move beyond traditional consultation models and engage young people as active partners in crafting global solutions.

For international observers, this approach reflects the UAE's broader strategy to deepen ties between different regions while strengthening youth engagement in global governance. The country is betting that giving young people real input into policy-making will create more legitimate and effective multilateral systems.

The Youth Dialogue series forms part of the UAE's comprehensive diplomatic strategy aimed at building mutual understanding across regions and generations. By making youth leadership and inclusive dialogue core pillars of international engagement, the UAE is working to create what it calls a more representative, inclusive, and flexible multilateral system.