Saeed Al Muntafiq, newly appointed Chair of Young Arab Leaders, has announced the new regional board of directors. Al Muntafiq will be joined by five new regional leaders representing diverse backgrounds whose efforts will be guided by one fundamental principle: to create the right conditions to ensure the success of tomorrow’s future Arab leaders.
The board includes Essam Al Janahi – CEO of Gulf Finance House, Bahrain; Dr. Bassem Awadallah, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the King Abdullah II Fund For Development and Former Minister of Finance, Jordan; Hani Al Zubair, Managing Director of the Al Zubair Corporation, Oman; Elias Bou Saab, Vice-President of the American University in Dubai and Chairman of the Young Arab Leaders Academia Committee; and, Dr. Omar bin Suleiman, Director General of Dubai International Financial Centre Authority.
Speaking on the occasion, Al Muntafiq stated: “I am very confident in our ability to achieve the goals we have set out, not only on the regional level, but also on the international level as well. We are looking forward to putting into action our strategic plan with the hopes of producing high outcomes for the year 2006.”
Essam Al Janahi is an important player in the financial services sector in the region, possessing extensive banking experience in a number of positions with some of the top regional and international companies. He was the Chief Executive Officer of the Gulf Finance House, which saw its investments enjoy significant growth during Al Janahi’s administration. Dr. Awadallah is a prominent Jordanian figure, who was awarded a medal of the first degree from the Jordanian King in acknowledgement of his contributions to the Jordanian economy and his efforts in supporting its vitality.
Hani Al Zubair has a number of achievements to his name, including Al Zubair Corporation’s position as one of the most prominent pioneering companies in the region, in the field of General Trading, and as an important contributor to the Omani economy. Bou Saab is an academic figure recognized throughout the region and served as a consultant in several education ministries in the Arab countries, playing an instrumental role in setting criteria in academic institutions throughout the Arab world. Moreover, he founded the Lebanese-Emirati Friendship Association and the Society of Lebanese Graduates from Britain.
Finally, under the leadership of Dr. Bin Suleiman, DIFC established itself as a universally recognized hub for institutional finance and a gateway for capital and investment. Also, under his leadership, Dubai Internet City achieved more than 100 per cent growth in less than a year and continued for three consecutive years.
The regional board is set to reveal a series of initiatives and objectives on 21st May, 2006, at Sharm El Sheikh, following intensive discussions held by the new board in partnership with Booz Allen & Hamilton during their Strategy Retreat on 11th April. Cementing the new board’s direction for the next two years, the meeting identified some key milestones for empowering promising young Arab leaders, such as recruiting young influential Arab nationals with an impressive track record and fostering the development of leadership skills and values in future Arab leaders, to name a few. In addition, YAL will announce the establishment of new chapters throughout the region during 2006-2007, reflecting the organization’s geographic reach and representation.
Commenting on the organization’s scope of activities, Al Muntafiq said: “It is no doubt a big project. It is no surprise, therefore, that significant time and effort was invested in devising the right strategies that would provide young leaders with the tools and conditions for future success,” said Al Muntafiq. “We all have a vested interested in making this a successful project – we either fail together or succeed together.”
About Young Arab Leaders:
The Young Arab Leaders is a network of Arab men and women who have seen the power of action in their own lives, reached unprecedented levels of success for their age, who are positive and can see beyond today’s difficulties to that vision of a prosperous Arab future. These leaders are currently in prominent positions of responsibility and are destined for extraordinary achievement, and they believe that their efforts today can have an impact on their communities, countries and the region as a whole.
Better opportunities for education, new means of income generation and a belief in the ability to achieve, is what will help Arab youth become tomorrow’s leaders. Members of Young Arab Leaders bring together their capabilities and resources to building the necessary environment that will facilitate the way for tomorrow’s young Arab leaders.
Each year, the Young Arab Leaders commit to implementing an Action Plan that sets the strategic vision of the organization. They undertake projects focusing on mentorship and education, while producing sector-specific plans that aim to increase income generation opportunities for youth.
