SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHAB)
The 12th Annual GCC GOV HR and Youth Summit and Awards convened in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday under the theme “Unleash the Human Magic: Innovation, Transformation, Resilience”.
This summit gathers government officials, HR leaders, and experts to discuss the impact of digital transformation and AI on driving innovation and resilience in the region.
The event culminates in the GOV HR and Youth Awards Ceremony on October 10, recognising excellence in governance, human resources, and youth empowerment at the Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel & Residences Emirates Pearl.
Speaking to Aletihad during the event, John Mattone, the world's premier executive coach and founder of John Mattone Global (JMG), spotlighted the importance of leadership, talent, and culture in a rapidly changing world, stating that technology will always evolve, but the ultimate indicators drive sustainability and success.
Mattone pinpointed the importance of humanising AI through leadership, talent, and culture, noting that true greatness starts from within and is linked to emotional intelligence.
He further stressed the importance of youth development in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.
"I have worked in 55 countries, and when I compare it to other countries, there is so much talent here in the region. Greatness here is going to be driven by the young people, by embracing them and helping them grow," Mattone said.
Despite his optimism, Mattone recognised the challenges young people face with technology and emphasised the importance of emotional intelligence.
He advised youth to cultivate a strong sense of purpose, as it fosters strength and resilience, noting: "Once you understand your purpose, it becomes easier to develop the resilience to overcome obstacles because you are anchored in something bigger than yourself."
Regarding the region’s future he said: "I am bullish on the Middle East. Most of my company’s work is here, and I am impressed with the growth mindset. Add the talent of the young people, and the future looks incredibly bright for the GCC."
Also attending the event, Rehab Lootah, Deputy Group CEO of National Bonds, stressed the importance of financial empowerment.
"National Bonds plays a very vital role when it comes to financial empowerment and literacy for employees. At this event, we discussed how we can help employees achieve financial freedom and provide the necessary financial advice," said Lootah, who has over 20 years of experience in the UAE's finance and government sectors.
She noted that since 2006, National Bonds has aimed to enhance residents' financial literacy by educating employees on budgeting, expenses, and debt management.
"With the increase in spending driven by advertisements, our role is to educate the youth. We have initiated a programme called the Young Investor, a financial literacy curriculum implemented in three schools in Dubai, with plans to expand," she added.
Lootah also noted that National Bonds collaborates with over 147 companies to invest employees' end-of-service benefits, resulting in increased corporate savings. It centres on individuals and corporations, encouraging savings accounts for children and incorporating AI and automation to improve financial literacy in the GCC.
Addressing the challenges of financial literacy in the UAE, she said: "The first challenge is education, without it, managing finances is difficult. The second is the temptation to spend, with numerous new restaurants and online shopping creating a disconnect from the true value of money. It is essential to save your income and develop this habit early, as saving should be a consistent practice, not a one-time act."