Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Youth 4 Sustainability (Y4S) - a global initiative organised by renewable energy company Masdar, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council - is empowering the next generation of sustainability leaders.
Launched in 2016, Y4S aims to reach 1 million young people by 2030, equipping them with the skills to drive the green economy and address climate change.
Through its Future Sustainability Leaders and Sustainability Ambassadors programmes, Y4S fosters education, innovation and awareness, aligned with the UAE's commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Principles of the 50.
Two Y4S members, Reem Al Mansoori and Hamid Al Bastaki, who participated in COP29, shared with Aletihad how the Future Sustainability Leaders programme has shaped their leadership and global participation during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2025.
Al Mansoori, a political economy researcher, highlighted the programme's focus on empowering youth through education, experience and leadership, while fostering global connections to address sustainability challenges.
She outlined her participation at COP29, explaining: "I was honoured to represent the youth at COP29, discussing critical topics like water scarcity and desalination, and exploring ways to deliver desalinated water to conflict zones, merging my interests in politics and sustainability."
She has also been working on innovative solutions in the circular economy.
"I am working on a project that connects industries with artists who recycle waste into art. This app fosters collaboration between waste managers and artists, promoting sustainable waste practices and innovation. We aim to expand globally by 2030, contributing to the circular economy vision," said Al Mansoori.
During ADSW, her group demonstrated the use of AI to improve desalination efficiency, by predicting maintenance needs and assessing water quality for greater affordability and accessibility globally.
Al Mansoori stressed the importance of platforms for youth to advocate for solutions: "It allows us to communicate our needs, advocate for change and ensure decision-makers understand our challenges for a more inclusive future."
She intends to use her experience to influence sustainability investments, focusing on technology that addresses global challenges like water scarcity and carbon emissions, while aligning these institutions with the UAE's net-zero vision and circular economy goals.
Al Bastaki, an engineering systems and management student at Khalifa University, shared how Y4S has empowered him to improve his skills and engage at global platforms.
"Because of Y4S, I had the chance to improve my soft skills, meet high-level figures, and even participate in debates - my first debate, which I won.
"The Future Sustainability Leaders programme also selected me to represent my country at COP29 in Azerbaijan-Baku, where I connected with youth from all over the world."
He acknowledged the UAE's sustainability legacy at COP29, pointing to Sheikh Zayed's pioneering tree-planting in the desert and the nation's ongoing commitment to conservation and waste minimisation.
At ADSW, he presented his project, which aims to provide electricity to rural Nigerian students.
"Students use toxic kerosene lamps to study. Our solution brings electricity, enabling them to charge devices and gain education, helping solve Nigeria's energy crisis."
Reflecting on the impact of platforms like COP29 for youth participation, Al Bastaki said: "Youth globally struggle to share their voice with leaders, but Y4S gave me the chance to speak to ministers and showcase my project to His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Without this support, it would not have been possible.
"The youth have been empowered through Y4S, and we have been given the tools to shape a sustainable future. We need more programmes like this to equip us for the challenges ahead."
