Lt. General HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan Inaugurates Aqdar World Summit in Cooperation with the Ministry of Education

Lt. General HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior inaugurated the 1st edition of Aqdar World Summit that is being held in Abu Dhabi in the presence of H.E. Eng. Hussain Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Minister of Education, His Highness Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance, H.E. Jamila Bint Salem Musabah Al Muhairi, Minister of State for Public Education, and H.E Hessa Bint Isa Buhameed, Minister of Community Development, and a number of leaders, decision makes, and dignitaries. 

The first edition of the Aqdar World Summit is being held in cooperation with the United Nations, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the UAE Ministry of Education, Abu Dhabi Education and Knowledge Authority, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority of Dubai and INDEX Conferences and Exhibitions - a member of INDEX Holding. 

During the opening ceremony, His Highness listened to the opening addresses and to a speech delivered by H.E. Eng. Hussain Ibrahim Al Hammadi where he said:  “According to the vision of the UAE leadership, schools, colleges and universities are currently making plans to accommodate moral education with their teaching methodologies, inspiring students to be proud of their identity, their country, and their leadership, while also allowing them to have an open mind towards various world diversities.”

“Aqdar World Summit, is truly a global platform, where elite educational decision makers, experts and specialists in matters of education and knowledge coming from local, regional and international countries, share their unique insights and experiences that address an important issue related to the area of prevention of Intellectual extremism and moral deviation.” He added

On another note, His Highness has recognized a number of sponsors, supporters and the Khalifa Empowerment Program for Students “Aqdar”; in addition to the strategic partners for their prominent role in supporting initiatives that support youth empowerment and the promotion of good values and ethics. 

Following the opening ceremony, Lt. General HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan inaugurated the parallel exhibition that highlighted a number of presentations and initiatives that were presented by local, regional, and national organizations and institutions. 

The opening ceremony was also attended by H.E. Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, Head of Education and Knowledge Department (United Arab Emirates), H.E. Dr. Abdulla Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors and General Manager of Knowledge and Human Development Authority, Dubai, UAE.

The opening ceremony included a video presentation of the summit, which is a first of its kind initiative in the UAE, aiming to empower and improve knowledge skills among UAE’s young population. 

As part of the opening ceremony, Emirati artist Hussein Al Jasmi, performed a vocal performance on “Tolerant UAE” expressing love to the UAE leadership and its people.

During a speech at the opening ceremony, Dr. Hatem Ali, Director, Regional Office of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) United Arab Emirates, stressed, “UNODC is committed to the efforts of the United Arab Emirates in empowering youth and protecting future generations from all types of dangers. Aqdar World Summit is an extremely important international forum, which aims to support students in general and the youth in particular to meet the challenges and risks surrounding them, which requires a strategic awareness of their real causes and motives and the know-how to deal with specific issues concerning youth.” 

While stating that intellectual extremism and moral deviation pose real challenges for future generations, he further added, “UNODC is equally dedicated to providing every means of support and cooperation to all member nations of the United Nations, while also willing to develop their national legislative and institutional capacities to confront global challenges affecting them. As the collective growth and prosperity of all member countries is interconnected, it is immensely important to ensure that the world community makes the resolution of wars and conflicts in all neighboring a priority.”

While thanking the United Arab Emirates for hosting the Aqdar World Summit and providing an opportunity to shed light on the root causes of terrorism, violent extremism or moral deviation, Dr. Hatem Ali stressed that “the aims and objectives of the summit fall in line with the vision and goals of the United Nations and it is extremely crucial to address the root causes of intellectual extremism and moral deviation sooner rather than later.”

He also expressed his satisfaction at UNODC’s partnership with the Khalifa Empowerment Program for Students “Aqdar” initiative, which aims to build a global platform to unite and face this phenomena.

While stating that UNODC’s General Secretariat for Combating Extremism and Terrorism at the headquarters in Vienna adopted its one-stop-action program, supported by all the organizations in the United Nations, he said that UNODC is committed to overcome the challenge of terrorism, by preventing our future generations from falling into the grip of intellectual extremism.

He also thanked the United Arab Emirates for sponsoring the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Abu Dhabi and hosting the Regional Office for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). 

On his part, Dr. Boyan Radoykov, Chief of Section, Communication and Information Sector (UNESCO), thanked the UAE for hosting this international event and praised the achievements of the UAE in various fields.

Meanwhile, adding that UNESCO supports the goals of the Aqdar World Summit, which are line with its objectives in spreading positive values ​​among societies, Dr. Boyan further stressed, “There is a need to unite and create a constructive dialogue between different cultures and segments of the population to achieve the aspirations of young people around the globe.”

While stating that UNESCO’s priorities is universal and quality education for all and its crucial in ensuring sustainable development, he added that “UNESCO’s regional and global efforts are aimed at solving the educational crisis in the field of science and technology and by investing in youth and future generations, the world community can help in overcoming violent extremism and moral deviation.”

During his session, Professor Dr. Christian W Haerpfer, President of the World Values Survey Association (WVSA), stressed, “There is a need for constructive dialogue and exchange of information between member countries to enhance the role of governments and youth and to overcome the problems of extremism and intellectual deviation.” He added that, “this can be achieved by guiding young people and finding the right educational opportunities and jobs that fit the ideas and abilities of the next generation.”

While stating that WAC is committed to achieving the goals of the summit, Dr. Haerpfer, stressed that education is key to fulfil the commitment of sustainable development and called for useful discussions, outputs and recommendations, during the 3-day summit.

Aqdar World Summit, aims to create a platform for reaching consensus on a number of key issues affecting the youth in the Arab world, exchanging visions and new approaches, and providing an opportunity to come up with recommendations on how to develop effective programs to tackle intellectual extremism and moral deviation and how to harness the talent of the best minds attending the global summit. 

His Highness Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior attended youth circle that discussed the role of youth in promoting social security 

Lt. General HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior attended today part of a youth circle that was held in parallel to Aqdar World Summit in the presence of Her Excellency Shamma bint Suhail bin Faris Al Mazrui,  UAE Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sheikha Munira bint Hamad Al Khalifa from Bahrain.

The youth circle, organized by MOI Youth Council and Emirates Youth Council, discussed the role of youth in promoting social security and world peace with the participation of students from different universities and schools and a number of students nominated by the Police College in Abu Dhabi.

 The MoU strengthens cooperation between the two institutions in the fields of education and general awareness and development of their targeted programs, as well as exchange of experience and knowledge on issues of common concern.

His Highness witnessed a signing ceremony between “Aqdar” and the Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies

Lt. General HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior attended also on the sidelines of Aqdar World Summit a MoU Signing between  Khalifa Student Empowerment Program “Aqdar” and Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies.

The MoU was signed by HE Dr. Mohammed Matar al Kaabi, Awqaf's Chairman in the presence of Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah, Chairman of the Forum , and from Aqdar Program Colonel Dr.Ibrahim Al Dabal, General Coordinator of Aqdar program.