Abu Dhabi concludes the 31st Arab Scout Conference and the 6th Arab Scout Youth Forum
ABU DHABI, 21st November, 2017 (WAM): The activities of the 31st Arab Scout Conference and the 6th Arab Scout Youth Forum, which were hosted by Abu Dhabi during the period from 9 to 21 November 2025, were concluded today.
The two events witnessed wide participation from 19 Arab Scout Associations, along with a delegation from the World Organization of the Scout Movement, leaders of the Arab Scout Region, and representatives of the technical and youth committees, in an Arab station that is considered the largest and most important in the journey of the Scout Movement in recent years.
The activities of the forum and conference reflected the commitment of Arab countries to developing the scouting work system and enhancing the role of youth in leading digital transformation, governance, empowerment, and anticipating the future role of the scouting movement in light of global changes.
His Excellency Dr. Salem Abdul Rahman Al Darmaki, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Scouts Association and President of the Conference, stressed that the success of the forum and conference reflects the UAE’s position in supporting the Arab Scout Movement and empowering youth.
He explained that the Abu Dhabi Declaration, which emerged from the Sixth Arab Scout Youth Forum, is a turning point in the process of Arab scouting work, as it reflects the awareness of young people and translates their serious desire to build a scouting movement capable of keeping pace with the times and digital transformations, and capable of protecting its authentic values at the same time, pointing out that Arab youth have proven their ability to formulate an advanced vision for the future of scouting, centered around innovation, governance, digitization, and sustainability, and enabling them to participate effectively in decision-making.
He added that the UAE is proud of its role in bringing together Arab youth in Abu Dhabi, facilitating leadership dialogue between generations, and consolidating the principles of leadership, awareness and responsibility.
For his part, Dr. Khalil Rahma Ali, Secretary-General of the Emirates Scouts Association and Executive Director of the Organizing Committee, said that Abu Dhabi’s hosting of this major Arab event represented a new shift in the history of the Arab Scouting movement, and we are facing an integrated Arab organizational experience that combined precision, professionalism, and the authentic scouting spirit.
He stressed that the Abu Dhabi Youth Declaration and the recommendations of the Arab Scout Conference together constitute a road map that will contribute to transforming the Arab Scout Region into a more prepared and innovative system in the coming years.
He added that Arab youth, through their extensive participation in the forum, demonstrated that they are capable of shaping their future. Their messages and recommendations will remain one of the most important outcomes of this historic hosting.
For his part, His Excellency Dr. Hani Abdel Moneim, Secretary-General of the Arab Scout Organization and Regional Director of the region, said that the 31st Arab Scout Conference approved a series of detailed initiatives that will be directly reflected in the performance of the Arab Scout Associations.
He stressed that the conference laid new foundations for strengthening governance, transparency and institutional development within associations, including updating regional policies and adopting the Arab Action Plan 2025-2028, in addition to strengthening partnerships and expanding the role of youth in decision-making, pointing out that the conference’s recommendations represent a new beginning for the Arab Scout Movement.
He added that Abu Dhabi was a real platform for exploring the future of scouting and discussing global challenges in a unified Arab spirit.
For his part, Daniel Corson, Chairman of the World Scout Committee, praised the role played by Abu Dhabi in hosting this important Arab event, stressing that the Abu Dhabi Declaration is not just recommendations, but rather a comprehensive Arab vision that represents a global model in youth planning and institutional work, pointing out that Arab youth have proven their ability to think strategically and to contribute to the development of the Scouting movement globally.
He added that the UAE has proven its ability to organize global scouting events with pioneering standards, and this conference will represent a milestone in the history of cooperation between the world organization and the Arab region.
For his part, Saeed Maaliki, the elected Chairman of the Arab Scout Committee, stressed that the results of the conference and the Youth Forum will form the basis for the next stage, and that the Abu Dhabi Youth Declaration and the recommendations of the conference have shaped the future of the Arab Scout Movement, stressing that youth are no longer just a participating party, but a real leadership party, and the Arab Scout Committee will work to transform these recommendations into practical initiatives and extended partnerships that serve all Arab associations.
He appreciated the role of the UAE and the Emirates Scouts Association in the exceptional organization that raised expectations to a new level of Arab hosting of scouting events.
The Abu Dhabi Youth Declaration, issued by the Sixth Arab Scout Youth Forum, was a turning point in the future of Arab youth work, as it included an advanced youth vision that seeks to build an Arab scouting movement capable of keeping pace with the future, by promoting innovation, developing digital skills, and providing greater spaces for young people to participate in planning and decision-making.
The announcement was keen to emphasize that digital transformation is no longer an option, but rather a strategic necessity, calling for the development of unified educational digital platforms in the Arab region, and the inclusion of artificial intelligence skills, experiential learning, and smart solutions in national scouting programmes.
The declaration stressed the importance of building an Arab system to protect against harm, promoting environmental sustainability within scouting activities, and launching youth-led environmental initiatives in the Arab world.
The announcement emphasized the importance of the unified Arab media identity of the Scouting movement, developing the capabilities of young leaders in the fields of digital media, and launching joint campaigns that enhance the values of Scouting in the Arab world.
He addressed the importance of dialogue between generations and developing mechanisms to ensure the transfer of experiences between veteran leaders and youth, in a way that enhances communication and harmony within the movement.
The 31st Arab Scout Conference came out with a package of recommendations and decisions that represent an advanced step in developing the institutional structure of the Arab Scout Movement.
The conference adopted the Arab Strategic Plan 2025-2028, which is based on digital transformation, governance, developing youth skills, and strengthening partnerships with governmental and civil institutions.
The conference approved modernizing the regional governance system, launching a comprehensive digital project to develop administrative work tools, updating organizational regulations, raising accreditation standards for national associations, and supporting them with specific training plans led by the Arab Scout Bureau.
The recommendations included enhancing youth participation in leadership structures, adopting new policies that ensure an influential representative presence of youth within Arab committees, in addition to launching the “Digital Transformation in 24 Months” initiative to support associations in adopting the latest technological tools in scouting work.
The conference dealt with developing the system for hosting Arab scouting events, and adopting a new model that raises the quality of hosting, enhances safety standards, and ensures greater environmental sustainability for major events.
With these recommendations, Abu Dhabi has consolidated its position as a leading Arab center for scouting work, a youth laboratory for modern leadership experiences, and a platform for shaping the future of the Arab Scouting movement in a spirit of partnership, innovation and ambition.
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