"Forbes Middle East" Announces the formation of the leadership of its youth council

ABU DHABI, 11 FEBRUARY/WAM / Forbes Middle East announced the formation of the leadership team for the “Forbes Middle East Youth Council” during the “Senior Advisors and Investors” Summit held in Abu Dhabi on 10 and 11 February, in a step that reflects its commitment to supporting and empowering young leaders in the region, and enhancing their role in consolidating the concepts of leadership at the Middle East level.

The formation of the Council’s leadership follows the official launch of the initiative during the Forbes Middle East “Sustainability Leaders 2025” summit, hosted by Abu Dhabi, where more than three thousand young leaders applied for membership in the Council, representing the sectors of innovation, entrepreneurship, digital economy, media, science and technology. The selection process resulted in the appointment of 10 young leaders to assume responsibility for managing the Council.

The council is headed by Ali Muhammad Haji Al-Khoury, and Nouf Al-Kathiri is vice-president. It includes Ahmed Al-Ghurdaqa, Fatima Al-Mulla, Rima Al-Misfer, Mustafa Abdel Latif, Saeed Al-Khoury, Abdullah Al Al-Sheikh, Dalal Abdel Razzaq, and Nader Nassar.

In selecting Council members, Forbes Middle East relied on a set of qualitative criteria that reflect the spirit of leadership, influence, and readiness to create change.

The evaluation process included the candidates’ record in leadership initiatives and their experiences in launching or managing youth projects with a tangible impact, in addition to their level of community participation and involvement in volunteer work and public activities.

The selection process took into account the personal skills of applicants, including the ability to communicate effectively, work within teams with diverse backgrounds, and clearly express visions and ideas, in addition to critical thinking skills and a spirit of cooperation.

Forbes Middle East was keen to ensure diversity and broad representation within the Council, by taking into account different geographical, academic and professional backgrounds, thus enhancing the richness of discussions and supporting the building of a consultative platform that reflects the aspirations of young people in the region and the diversity of their experiences.

Applicants who are not selected will receive membership in the Youth Council, in addition to integrated support that includes specialized workshops, attendance at conferences and events, and development and capacity-building programs, in a way that enhances their professional and leadership readiness.

Kholoud Al-Omyan, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Middle East, said: “The formation of the Forbes Middle East Youth Board of Directors and the selection of an elite group of young leaders reflects our commitment to building a promising generation and empowering it to be an active partner in linking youth ambitions, development plans, and future visions for the region and the world.”

Al-Omyan added: “We look forward to achieving a tangible impact in our societies and economies by transforming young people’s creative and knowledgeable ideas into practical solutions that meet the challenges of the present and future.”

For his part, Qaboos Khalid, General Manager in Abu Dhabi at Forbes Middle East, said: “The formation of the leadership team for the Forbes Middle East Youth Council aims to empower young leaders and establish an effective governance framework that ensures their participation in initiatives with a sustainable impact, as the leaders were selected according to clear criteria that take into account professional competence and their influence on the sectors in which they work, as well as the leadership vision they possess, in a way that enhances the council’s ability to achieve its goals.”

Khaled added: “The Council works within the framework of a regional initiative that strengthens partnerships with youth councils and leadership initiatives throughout the Middle East, in addition to developing specific programs, exchanging experiences, and building future visions that contribute to preparing the next generation of leaders to participate in shaping the future of the region.”

In turn, Ali Muhammad Haji Al-Khouri, Chairman of the Forbes Middle East Youth Council, expressed his pride and said that the leadership of the Forbes Middle East Youth Council represents an opportunity to bring together young leaders, to enhance regional cooperation, and to enable the next generation to play an active role in advancing sustainable development paths and achieving a long-term impact.

During the next phase, the Board of Directors will work to prepare the Council’s strategy for the year 2026, to enhance its regional role and support building partnerships with youth councils and organizations in the region, affirming Forbes Middle East’s firm commitment to supporting strategic dialogue, empowering young leaders, unleashing their creative energies, and consolidating their role as a driving force that contributes to formulating today’s ideas and future decisions.

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