UAE Brings Youth Dialogue to Brazil at BRICS Summit

Photo: WAM

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) recently made a meaningful step in connecting with youth around the world by bringing its well-known "Youth Dialogue" program to Brazil for the very first time. This event was a part of the UAE's broader participation in the BRICS Summit—a major international meeting that brings together five powerful countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

What made this event even more special was the UAE's decision to host this youth session in partnership with Rio de Janeiro’s famous Museum of Tomorrow—a place known for its focus on innovation and future thinking. This added a unique energy to the gathering and underlined how serious the UAE is about involving young people in global conversations about the future.

What Happened at the BRICS Youth Dialogue?

The event brought together 40 Brazilian university students from four different universities. These students participated in deep and thoughtful discussions about some of the world’s biggest topics today—including sustainability, international cooperation, and how young people can play an important role in creating a better future.

The session was led by Saeed Al Hajeri, who is the Assistant Minister for Economic and Trade Affairs of the UAE and also the country’s official representative (or "Sherpa") at BRICS. Alongside him was Saleh Al Suwaidi, who is the UAE’s ambassador to Brazil.

These two high-level UAE leaders didn’t just attend—they actively led the conversations, listened to the students, and shared their own experiences and ideas. The goal wasn’t just to teach the students but to learn from them too.

A Message from the UAE: Youth Are Not Just the Future—They Are the Present

During the dialogue, Saeed Al Hajeri spoke passionately about why this event matters so much to the UAE and the world. He said something powerful:

“This dialogue reflects the UAE’s deep belief that multilateral cooperation must embrace the voices, ideas, and ambitions of the next generation. We do not see youth merely as future leaders but as essential partners in shaping the solutions we urgently need today.”

He meant that young people shouldn’t just wait for the future to lead—they should help lead right now. The UAE sees them as important partners in solving today’s challenges, from climate change to global cooperation.

Al Hajeri also spoke about how important Brazil is to the UAE, not just inside the BRICS group but even beyond that. He said that true partnerships don’t just happen through trade and official meetings. They also happen through real conversations, mutual trust, and shared dreams. Events like this Youth Dialogue are the starting point for that kind of relationship.

Why Brazil?

Some people might ask, why did the UAE choose Brazil for this first global Youth Dialogue session? The answer is simple: Brazil is not only a major part of BRICS, but it's also a country with a large, energetic, and creative youth population.

The UAE sees Brazil as a natural partner in building long-term ties that go beyond business and politics. It’s about connecting people, especially the next generation.

Holding this event at the Museum of Tomorrow also sent a message—that we should think ahead and think together. The museum is famous for encouraging people to explore how science and technology can shape the future. So, it was the perfect place to hold conversations about what lies ahead for young people in a changing world.

What Does This Mean for the Students?

For the Brazilian students who took part, this was more than just a special event—it was a life-changing experience. They got the chance to speak directly with high-level officials, learn about another country’s culture and values, and, most importantly, share their own opinions and hopes for the future.

These kinds of events give students real-world exposure to diplomacy, international cooperation, and leadership. Instead of just reading about global issues in textbooks, they got to be part of shaping the conversation themselves.

The UAE’s Global Reputation Among Youth

Al Hajeri also pointed out an interesting fact: for over 10 years, the Arab Youth Survey—a large study that asks young people across the Middle East what they think—has shown that the UAE is the most desired country to live in for young Arabs.

Why? According to him, it's because of the safety, opportunities, and hope that the UAE offers to its people—especially to the youth. The UAE is known for providing a modern, secure, and encouraging environment for young people to grow, build careers, and follow their dreams.

And now, through partnerships like the one with Brazil, the UAE wants to spread that same feeling of hope and opportunity to other parts of the world.

What Comes Next?

This event in Brazil is just the beginning. The UAE plans to take this Youth Dialogue model to other countries and keep expanding the circle of young people who are engaged in important global conversations.

By giving youth a seat at the table—not just listening to them, but working with them—the UAE hopes to build a more united and forward-thinking global community.

These kinds of initiatives are important because they show that real change begins with open conversation—and when those conversations include young voices, the ideas that come out are often fresher, bolder, and more powerful.