Earlier this month, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, gave an inspiring speech to Emirati youth at the Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis for Future Generations.
Sheikh Mohammed emphasised the singularity of the younger generation, instilling a sense of pride and commitment towards progress, personal achievement and dedication to play a role in helping to further the nation as a leader in both social and economic endeavours.
“Progress in this country cannot be made without the youth,” he said.
Sheikh Mohammed cited Singapore as an example due to its achievement in “human development, education and the economy”. He urged young people to learn about Singapore’s progress and various approaches to success, much of which is due to its thriving international partnerships.
In 2005, the UAE signed a cooperation pact with Singapore in an effort to facilitate trade, development and collaboration. More recently, the Monetary Authority of Singapore and the Abu Dhabi Global Market signed a cooperation agreement.
Singapore is committed to developing its most significant natural resource – its people. It is for this reason that it ranks highly in the fields of mathematics and science, according to the 2015 international assessment report by the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study.
A structure based on generous scholarships to provide equal opportunity for children of all socioeconomic backgrounds and a fundamental commitment to meritocracy helps groom Singaporean youth for positions of leadership.
Singapore’s emphasis on academic performance has proved successful for the country and its efforts to build a “knowledge-based economy”.
Singapore is also a host to several of the world’s premier universities and is working on developing its own high-calibre institutions.
In 2015, another report ranked Singapore as number 11 in the world in relation to human development.
The report seeks to assess long-term progress on three levels of human development: a long and healthy life, access to knowledge and a decent standard of living.
By providing its people with meaningful work that enhances human development and ensuring the well-being of its families and communities, Singapore is able to successfully track progress and shape future policy and agendas.
It is for these and many other reasons that the UAE admires Singapore. Its sustained devotion towards social and economic progression through educational commitment, human development and international partnership has put it on the path to becoming a global leader in such endeavours.
We as a nation have worked long and hard to strive towards similar fundamentals and endeavour towards consistent progress and social cohesion.
It is for this that we look forward to a bright future of partnership, accord and growth with an admirable nation that is dedicated, like the UAE is, to development, leadership and harmony.
Hend Al Otaiba is a communications expert in Abu Dhabi