Every year on August 12, the world pauses to celebrate the energy, creativity, and leadership of young people. In 2025, International Youth Day (IYD) is marked under the theme “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond”, spotlighting the unique role of youth in translating global ambitions into tangible, community-driven realities.
Youth at the Heart of Sustainable Development
According to the United Nations, over 65% of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) targets are linked to local governance, making youth engagement not a luxury but a necessity. Their creativity, insight, and deep community ties help bridge the gap between policy and practice.
This year’s IYD is particularly significant as it coincides with the 30th anniversary of the World Programme of Action for Youth, a long-standing framework recognizing young people as key actors in sustainable development and participatory governance. Discussions on the 2025 theme will also feed into preparations for the Second World Summit for Social Development to be held in Doha this November.
UN Secretary-General’s Message
In his message for IYD 2025, the UN Secretary-General stated:”We celebrate the determination, creativity and leadership of young people everywhere. This year’s theme reminds us that global progress begins in communities, and in every corner of the world young people are leading the way. They are driving sustainable development, building inclusive communities, forging peace, and demanding a fairer, greener and more just future. Your voices, ideas, and leadership matter. Let us work together to support youth-led solutions and build a more just, peaceful, and sustainable world from the ground up.”
In the UAE… Inspiring Initiatives
In Abu Dhabi, Dr. Sultan Saif Al Neyadi, Minister of State for Youth Affairs, attended IYD activities at the Ministry of Interior headquarters, where he inaugurated the first youth space at the federal government level. The event, attended by senior MoI officials, police leaders, and youth organization representatives, opened with a speech reaffirming the UAE leadership’s commitment to empowering youth and the MoI’s role in developing their skills.
The ceremony featured presentations on the MoI Youth Council’s journey and achievements, the graduation of the first batch of the six-month Nucleus of the Future programme, and the recognition of five outstanding youth-led projects under the Nabras Al Shabab initiative. Dr. Al Neyadi also toured exhibits showcasing current and future projects, including the Exceptional Leader project at the Police College and the Young Leaders programme.
Accredited by the Federal Youth Authority, the new youth space is designed to enhance youth participation in decision-making, support innovation, and provide facilities for workshops, events, and brainstorming sessions—the first of its kind across federal ministries.
Dubai’s Cultural Leadership Vision
Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture, highlighted the youth’s ability to change the world in various ways. She noted that their impact often happens quietly but powerfully—by challenging habits, reimagining processes, or offering ideas that had not been considered before.
She added: “Across the UAE, young people are transforming global challenges into local opportunities. Whether it’s a student-led climate solution, a neighbourhood coding programme, or a grassroots art initiative, these examples show how innovation, when rooted in empathy, can transform entire systems from the ground up.”
Quoting H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, she recalled: “Our value in life is defined by what we do”—emphasizing that the courage, imagination, and determination she sees in the youth reflect that very spirit.
Private Sector Commitment
On the corporate front, Caroline Hobeika, Chief Human Resources Officer at AWR Group, told ESG Mena:”For 75 years, we have been committed to nurturing young talent and equipping them to drive meaningful innovation. Our initiatives, such as the Wa’ed National Development strategy, the NextGen Internship Programmes, and partnerships with universities, ensure our people develop the skills to advance sustainable progress.”
Similarly, Mohammed Al-Hajjaj, CEO of ENGIE KSA, said: “We believe the future is shaped by the energy, creativity, and vision of young people. Since 2024, 76.6% of the talent we’ve welcomed has been under 35. By empowering youth through graduate programmes, mentorship, and involvement in energy transition projects, we are investing not only in their careers but in a sustainable and inclusive future for all.”
Youth of Today… Leaders of Tomorrow
IYD 2025 is more than a celebration—it is a call to invest in inclusive policies and programmes that leverage local youth action for the SDGs. From classrooms and labs to local councils and grassroots initiatives, young people are proving every day that they are not just the leaders of tomorrow—they are leaders today.