Two young Emiratis, Hamid Al Bastaki and Reem Al Mansoori, are set to represent the UAE at COP29. Both are passionate eco-warriors and youth leaders who will be taking the stage at the climate summit in Azerbaijan. Delegates from around the world will gather in Baku from November 11 to 22 for vital negotiations, discussions, and collaborations aimed at addressing the climate crisis with urgency and ambition.
Reem and Hamid, key figures in Masdar’s Youth 4 Sustainability (Y4S) initiative, will serve as youth ambassadors at the event, contributing their insights to global climate change discussions. They will participate in dialogue sessions and workshops alongside representatives from other nations, striving to highlight the importance of youth involvement in summit decisions.
Hamid Al Bastaki, a 21-year-old engineering systems and management student at Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi, is committed to integrating engineering principles with sustainable practices. As an ambassador for the UAE National Identity, he actively promotes Emirati values. Hamid is also an innovator, having developed Orion AI, an AI-powered chatbot to assist entrepreneurs in sustainable business practices.
Reem Al Mansoori, a 24-year-old graduate of Zayed University with a degree in international studies, is a recognized researcher in political economy. Her focus on government intervention in sovereign wealth funds has garnered attention at international conferences. Reem’s roles as a CNN Fellow and peer educator with the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) underscore her dedication to climate education.
Both Hamid and Reem’s involvement in COP29 underscores the critical role of youth in the global sustainability movement. As Masdar opens applications for the 2025 Y4S cohort, the UAE’s future leaders are poised to make significant contributions to climate action.
Established in 2016, the Y4S initiative aims to engage one million young individuals by 2030 through a blended learning experience. It focuses on raising awareness about the skills needed for future jobs in sustainability via programs such as the Future Sustainability Leaders and Sustainability Ambassadors. Supported by the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, Y4S aligns with the UAE’s Principles of the 50 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). Since its inception, over 38,000 young people aged 18 to 35 have participated in various activities.
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