Applications Pour In As Search Launched For New UAE Youth Minister

On Sunday, UAE Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, took to X (previously known as Twitter) to announce his search for young people who wish to join the ranks of government as Minister of Youth Affairs.

‘I am looking for a distinguished young man or woman who represents youth issues, conveys their opinions and follows government matters that concern them, to become a Minister of Youth with us in the UAE government,” Sheikh Mohammed wrote.

Young people in the Emirates who wish to fill the role are being asked to register their interest by emailing the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs. By 6 pm the same day, the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers said it had already received a staggering 4,700 applications for the position.

According to Sheikh Mohammed, the desirable qualities in the right candidate included being passionate about serving their homeland, aware of their society’s reality, well-versed in their country’s issues and courageous and strong in representing their nation.

UAE Government’s Deepening Focus On Empowering The Youth

In her LinkedIn profile, Shamma Al Mazrui, who previously served as the UAE’s Minister of State for Youth Affairs, described the position as empowering young people to take the lead in shaping the country’s future across government and society.

Al Mazrui took the ministerial role in 2016 at the age of 22. She is now Minister of Community Development and was even appointed COP28 Youth Climate Champion this year. The Emirates is preparing to host the annual climate conference in Dubai later in November.

The UAE government has been showing growing interest in empowering the youth in the country, offering the younger generation a voice and a space to enable them to influence the decision-making processes the right way.

Celebrated worldwide on August 12, the International Youth Day has been gaining greater prominence in the UAE as its government focuses on engaging youngsters in the process of decision making to enable them to innovate, assume responsibilities and contribute.