Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Opens Sessions of the International Dialogue of Civilizations and Tolerance Conference

Abu Dhabi.

H.E. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, stated that “Youth under the age of 25 make up more than half of the UAE’s population, making their empowerment a cornerstone of our national progress. His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, always reminds us that youth are our most valuable national resource. Therefore, the state’s plans depend on collaboration among all stakeholders—families, schools, and both public and private sectors—to ensure the successful preparation of youth for the future.”

He made these remarks during his keynote address at the opening of the 2nd edition of the International Conference on Dialogue of Civilizations and Tolerance, organized by the Emirates Scholar Center for Research and Studies in collaboration with the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence under the theme “Empowering Youth for a Tolerant Future.”

The event commenced yesterday with the presence of H.E. Abdullah bin Bayyah, Chairman of the UAE Fatwa Council and President of the Abu Dhabi Forum for Peace, alongside over 100 international speakers and 5,000 participants from global and regional organizations, government bodies, and academics representing more than 70 countries.

The conference also featured over 200 research papers on tolerance and coexistence and included 10 musical and artistic performances celebrating cultural diversity and promoting messages of peace and tolerance worldwide.

In his speech, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak stressed that scientific research in the field of tolerance is the foundation for developing effective initiatives that promote human values and positively impact individuals and societies.

He highlighted the role of conference participants in enhancing local, regional, and global awareness about tolerance and human fraternity and their significance in shaping the future of human societies.

Referring to the conference’s theme, “Empowering Youth for a Tolerant Future,” Sheikh Nahyan reiterated that His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan consistently emphasizes that youth are the future and the UAE’s most valuable resource.

He highlighted the importance of preparing young people to be active participants in the global community by nurturing their intellectual and creative skills, strengthening their resilience to challenges, and equipping them to seize opportunities. Economic and educational empowerment, he noted, are key to protecting youth from falling prey to destructive ideologies. He called for continuous engagement with youth, listening to their voices, respecting their opinions, and involving them in building the future.

Sheikh Nahyan also emphasized that the “Year of Community” reflects the UAE’s commitment to empowering youth through education and skill development to become responsible and active citizens. It also aims to reinforce national identity by instilling pride in Arab and Islamic culture and heritage, economically empowering youth by providing opportunities and programs for effective participation in the job market and promoting positive use of technology to spread values of peace and global cooperation.

Ensuring youth well-being by providing a safe and stable environment and involving them in decision-making processes remains a top priority.

The Role of Youth in Building a Global Tolerant Society.

Sheikh Nahyan highlighted the pivotal role of youth in fostering a global tolerant society, noting that the UAE’s cultural diversity offers young people an invaluable opportunity to understand shared human values and embrace openness. “Our youth interact daily with people from diverse nationalities and cultures, which requires them to recognize that their actions and words reflect their identity to the world. We hope our youth will be role models of integrity and good character, promoting the values of tolerance within their communities,” he said.

He also praised the role of Emirati women in national development, noting that empowering women in the UAE has become a reality, with women actively contributing to the nation’s economic and cultural progress.

Sheikh Nahyan concluded by emphasizing the importance of moral values and individual responsibility, stressing that making the right choices between good and bad is a personal duty. “We must support our youth in making sound decisions and embracing their Islamic and Arab identity with pride. The UAE’s success in achieving progress and development is built on strong moral foundations and personal accountability. Our commitment to fostering tolerance and coexistence among diverse cultures remains a core value upheld by our wise leadership, ensuring the world becomes a more tolerant place where everyone is understood and respected.”

H.E.Sheykh Abdalla bin Bayyah: Dialogue is a Moral Obligation.

H.E Sheykh Abdalla bin Bayyah, Chairman of the UAE Fatwa Council and Head of the Abu Dhabi Forum for Peace, emphasized the necessity of dialogue, stating, “Talking about dialogue is neither a luxury nor trivial; it is an urgent moral duty that everyone must undertake across various levels and spheres of influence. Dialogue holds immense importance in our era, where humanity faces existential challenges like wars, conflicts, pandemics, and famines. Humanity urgently needs to adopt dialogue as a path to save the world and protect our planet.”

He added, “Dialogue is essential in all circumstances—before conflicts to prevent them, during conflicts to halt them, and after conflicts to heal wounds and ensure peace endures. Dialogue is fundamentally about discussing, negotiating, and finding common ground that serves the interests of all parties, preventing the harms of conflict. It offers alternatives to violence, replacing weapons with words, swords with conversations, and conflict with persuasion.”

Quoting Voltaire, he noted, “Tolerance is a natural outcome of our humanity. We are all frail and prone to mistakes; therefore, let us forgive and tolerate one another’s flaws.”

H.E. Dr. Abdulla Belhaif Al Nuaimi: Building a More Tolerant World.

H.E Dr. Abdulla Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Consultative Council and Chancellor of Emirates Scholar Center, stated, “The participation of distinguished international figures in discussing global issues related to tolerance and coexistence adds immense value to this conference, which is honored by the patronage of Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak. The conference’s theme and message this year reflect the UAE’s global reputation for tolerance and peace. It stands as an open invitation for all to share their perspectives, foster dialogue, and work collectively toward building a more tolerant future.”

He emphasized that focusing on youth underscores their pivotal role in society, as they are the architects of the present and builders of the future. “Instilling values of tolerance and dialogue in young people is an essential contribution to fostering peace among nations,” he added.

Emirates Scholar Center Launches ‘Coexistence Platform’

The Emirates Scholar Center for Research and Studies launched the “Coexistence Platform” the first AI-powered digital platform dedicated to promoting the UAE leadership’s vision of dialogue and tolerance. Introduced by Dr. Firas Habbal, President of the Center and Vice-Chancellor of the Board of Trustees, and Dr. Fawaz Habbal, Conference President & Director General of Emirates Scholar Center, the platform represents a groundbreaking innovation.

The AI-driven “Coexistence Platform” allows users to ask questions about tolerance, coexistence, and peace, providing accurate responses supported by official sources and reflecting the UAE leadership’s commitment to promoting dialogue and understanding.

The launch of the “Coexistence Platform” highlights the UAE’s pioneering role in fostering a global culture of tolerance and coexistence, aligned with its vision of advancing peace and dialogue among nations. The Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence serves as the primary partner in this initiative, with the platform benefiting from contributions from the UAE National Archives Library, ensuring its credibility as a trusted resource for research and studies on tolerance.