The first Youth Preparedness & Knowledge Economy Summit to accelerate UAE’s global labor market vision

The first Youth Preparedness & Knowledge Economy Summit, powered by Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Academy will take place on 20-21 September 2021 at ADGM Authorities Building, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, in line with the UAE’s vision to empower youth and strengthen their workplace contributions across various pre-identified sectors.

The inaugural Summit, organised by Informa Connect in partnership with the UAE Ministry of Education, will focus on innovation, technology, and research and development (R&D) as part of ongoing national goals to empower youth, harness homegrown talent, and assist the UAE in transitioning to a knowledge-based economy.

The Summit will bring together over 200 visionary leaders, policymakers, and senior industry professionals from government, semi-government, public, and private sectors to discuss Abu Dhabi’s long-term plan to transform the emirate’s economy through knowledge-based industries that develop a highly-skilled and productive workforce and improve labor market efficiency.

H.E. Hussain Ibrahim Al Hammadi, UAE Minister of Education, will deliver the keynote address, followed by more than 30 visionary speakers from leading regional and international organisations, including the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, Etihad Aviation Group, Majid Al Futtaim, Etisalat, du, Tanfeeth, Schneider Electric, ACTVET, and Jacobs.

Tamer Nahas, Event Director at Informa Connect, said: “The upcoming Youth Preparedness & Knowledge Economy Summit is a strategic gathering conceived to bring together leading cross-industry organizations from public and private sector, government entities, and academia to enhance collaboration via partnerships and enable the UAE to achieve its knowledge-based economy vision. Our Summit partners are eager to exchange knowledge, align on processes and objectives, and close the gap between preparing youth for the future and confronting ever-evolving labor market requirements.”

“We will also leverage partnerships with Informa’s education and HR-based events – Najah, Tawdheef and the HRSE (HR Summit and Expo) – to ensure no stone is left unturned in fostering collaboration and bridging the gap between evolving HR requirements and rapidly changing workforce dynamics brought on by the 4th Industrial Revolution,” Nahas added.

Mansoor Jaffar, Director at ADGMA, said: “At the ADGM Academy, we recognise that a successful nation is powered by a dynamic, proficient and forward-looking youth. Therefore, it is imperative to develop the workforce with skills relevant to building a knowledge economy. The ADGMA offers well-structured initiatives that are strategically aligned to the UAE’s 2030 vision. These programs delivered in  collaboration with leading global academic institutions and industry bodies across the world focus on learning and development, thought leadership, and innovation.”

“As the main supporter of the Summit, ADGMA will showcase offerings highlighting our role in propelling the youth in the UAE with career choices, making them future-ready and enabled to drive the nation forward,” Jaffar added.

Empowering Youth to Shape the Future through Innovation and Technology; The Government’s Role in Supporting and Empowering Young Minds and Talent; The Role of Science, Technology, and Innovation in Transforming UAE into a Knowledge-Based Economy; and more will be discussed in a series of keynote sessions and panel discussions.

Mustafa El Rafey, Senior Vice President of Human Capital at Majid Al Futtaim Retail, said: “The Summit is an important forum to discuss critical human capital issues; we look forward to sharing our insights with an audience of industry leaders. Majid Al Futtaim has always believed in developing, promoting, and retaining youth in the highly-competitive age of ‘talentism’. We take this commitment to heart, investing in our employees through a diverse range of learning and development initiatives linked to skills advancement interventions. As the world of work continues its relentless transformation, talentism is imperative for local businesses seeking to compete on a global scale.”

The UAE Ministry of Education is a strategic partner for the transformative Youth Preparedness & Knowledge Economy Summit2021, which is also backed by the Abu Dhabi Chamber, SEDRA, and the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism. The Summit is co-hosted by Najah, Tawdheef, HRSE (Human Resources Summit & Expo), and EdEx MENA. The full speaker lineup and topics will be announced in the coming days.

Visit www.youthpreparedness.com for more information on the Youth Preparedness & Knowledge Economy Summit.