Masdar’s Future Sustainability Leaders attend Russian summit

Twelve members of the Future Sustainability Leaders, a youth-focused CSR initiative led by Masdar, recently attended the second Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit (GMIS) in Russia.

Established in 2015 to foster cooperation among manufacturers, policymakers, technologists and investors committed to unlocking the opportunities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, GMIS is a joint initiative of the UAE Ministry of Energy and Industry and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO).

Increasing access to skills development and entrepreneurship opportunities for youth in emerging markets was one of the key topics of GMIS 2019.

During the three-day summit, held from July 9 to 11, the hand-picked delegation of Future Sustainability Leaders, all UAE nationals, attended a range of presentations and workshops, as well as conducted fact-finding, and presented on their own professional and academic experiences in the UAE.

The Young Future Sustainability Leaders is a year-round programme connecting students and young professionals aged 20-25 with government, business and technology leaders to raise awareness of sustainability issues, develop vocational skills and promote career development opportunities.

Together with the Sustainability Ambassadors programme, a complementary initiative aimed at high school students, the FSL is part of Masdar’s overarching Youth 4 Sustainability platform dedicated to the education, engagement and empowerment of UAE youth and the realisation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

GMIS 2019 was held in Yekaterinburg, the industrial heartland of Russia, and follows the success of the inaugural Summit in Abu Dhabi in 2017.

Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, the first GMIS welcomed more than 3,000 government, business and community leaders.