Washington: The United Arab Emirates has reaffirmed its commitment to working with global partners to build a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable digital future for children, with education serving as a bridge to opportunity and technology as a tool for empowerment.
According to Emirates News Agency, the remarks were made by H.H. Sheikha Alyazia bint Saif bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, wife of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, during the 'Fostering the Future Together' global summit held in Washington. The summit, launched by US First Lady Melania Trump, brought together leaders from 45 countries and representatives of 28 major technology companies to promote an international coalition aimed at safeguarding children's wellbeing and expanding their access to digital opportunities through education and technology.
H.H. Sheikha Alyazia led the UAE delegation, which included Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, Minister of State; Talal Al Kaissi, CEO of Core42; and Noureddin Hadi, CEO of Base71. The delegation took part in high-level discussions during the summit. In her remarks on the second day, Sheikha Alyazia conveyed greetings of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (Mother of the Nation), Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, and commended First Lady Melania Trump for her ongoing support for the summit.
Sheikha Alyazia emphasized that 'Fostering the Future Together' requires decisions made today for children, stressing that technology should be guided as a force for good and a means of empowerment. She also highlighted the UAE's designation of 2026 as the 'Year of the Family', noting that building children's future in the digital age begins with empowering families as the primary source of values and awareness.
Sheikha Alyazia highlighted the UAE leadership's focus on children's digital lives, reflecting a forward-looking vision that sees education and technology as key to preparing a generation equipped with the skills to thrive in a rapidly changing world. The UAE's approach centers on investing in people by integrating education, technology, and innovation, including the use of artificial intelligence to enhance education systems.
She emphasized the importance of international cooperation to expand access to digital knowledge, develop future skills, and strengthen partnerships between governments, the private sector, and educational institutions. Sheikha Alyazia added that the UAE's participation reflects its strategic partnership with the United States, particularly in innovation, education, and technology, and supports efforts to build a more balanced global model centered on people.
Sheikha Alyazia concluded that building the digital future requires cooperation based on three principles: equitable access to digital knowledge, development of skills such as critical thinking and creativity, and stronger public-private partnerships to ensure technology remains a tool for empowerment. The 'Fostering the Future Together' summit is an international coalition aimed at empowering children through education and technology, as outlined by US First Lady Melania Trump during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.