Business & Money | Sunday 16 February, 2020 11:43 am |

Emirates Foundation and the Saudi Arabia Pavilion, the largest international pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to launch a high-level integrated program to provide volunteering opportunities for Saudi youth based in the UAE.

Dr. Fahad bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Yabis, Commission General and Project Manager for the Saudi Arabia Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, and Mr. Ahmed Talib Al Shamsi, Acting CEO of Emirates Foundation, signed the agreement to promote youth volunteers for the Saudi pavilion during Expo2020 Dubai as one of the goals of the Kingdom’s 2030 Vision.

The ceremony was witnessed by H.E.Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Board Member and managing Director from Emirates Foundation and Mr.Turki bin Abdullah Al Dakhil, Saudi ambassador to the UAE. Also in attendance were Dr. Rashid bin Khalfan Alnaimi, Executive Director of UAE pavilion and Mr. Sultan Alotaibi, Saudi Cultural attaché in UAE.

Commending the MoU for opening new horizons for volunteer work in the region, Dr. Al-Yabis said: “In line with Saudi Vision 2030, we are committed to promoting a culture of volunteerism. In this context, we are keen to encourage the participation of young Saudi volunteers in our pavilion by involving those living in the UAE. Our alliance with the Emirates Foundation falls within the wider framework of cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the UAE across all spheres and sectors.”

He added: “Our cooperation with the Emirates Foundation will include the creation of a special digital platform for Saudi volunteers which will be linked to the Saudi Pavilion’s main online platform.”

For his part, Mr. Ahmed Talib Al Shamsi Deputy CEO of Emirates Foundation said: We believe a solid foundation for a nation is a society that understands the value and importance of volunteering. Expo 2020 is an exceptional platform that will offer young people unique volunteering opportunities through which they can build their capabilities and develop their leadership and communications skills. We are honored to be collaborating with the Saudi Arabia Pavilion at Expo 2020 and extend our support to engage, train and equip Saudi residents in the UAE to take on diverse volunteering roles at Expo 2020 and gain unrivalled hands-on experience, exposure and work-ready skills as they help to organize one of the world’s largest and most engaging events.” 

Mrs. Thurya Al-Badran, Head of Visitor Services and Head of the Volunteering Program at the Saudi Arabia Pavilion added, “In commitment to the value of citizenship and our belief that the youth are the true source of our nation’s capital, the Saudi Arabia Pavilion, that is taking part of the biggest international event in the region, is offering opportunities for volunteers in several areas. Volunteering is an essential component of our strategy as it aims to highlight and hone volunteers’ capabilities, enrich their practical skills, unleash their creativity and energy in a way that enhances the image of the Kingdom and its youth.”

In line with the youth capacity building objective of the synergy, the volunteers will receive mentoring and guidance during their participation in Expo 2020 Dubai, and be evaluated following the completion of their assignments.