Innovation Talk launched to boost cooperation among youth in China, UAE

The 2023 Youth Innovation Talk was held in Beijing on Jan 31, with the theme "A New Era of Comprehensive Cooperation between China and the UAE".  It was hosted by the Beijing Overseas Talents Center (BOTC) and organized by the Providence Academy.   

Entrepreneurs, investors and scholars from the two countries attended the event online, starting the dialogue on the topic "Inheritance of Young Talents and Knowledge in China and the UAE”. 

Na Lin, head of the Talent Service Department II of BOTC; Mohammad Abdulnoor Asad Ali Al Rais, chairman of UAE Mars Investment Company; Samer Akkad, chairman of Lebanon's UCD Company; and young entrepreneurs and investment representatives were invited to participate. They discussed cooperation in innovation between China and the UAE with over 12,000 global international talents online.

During the opening speech, a staff member from BOTC introduced the main content of the China-UAE Summit to be held in Dec 2022 and emphasized that China and the UAE enjoy good relations and their friendship will become a model for international cooperation in the context of the Belt and Road Initiative. They called on young people from both countries to listen to each other and work together to help ease global challenges.

Mohammad Abdulnoor Asad Ali Al Rais (left), chairman of UAE Mars Investment Company, and Samer Akkad, chairman of Lebanon's UCD Company, deliver their speeches at the event. 

Mohammad Abdulnoor Asad Ali Al Rais, chairman of Mars Investment Company in the UAE, said China is one of the UAE's largest investment partners, and the two countries enjoy a strong foundation and broad scope for cooperation, covering investment projects in the Middle East and North Africa. He said that in the near future, the two countries could explore more investment opportunities related to the Belt and Road Initiative.

Samer Akkad, chairman of UCD in Lebanon, said that China's rapid economic development has made it an indispensable part of the global economy. He said he hopes that young people from China and the UAE could work together and improve innovation. He said he is looking forward to seeing more activities like the "Youth Innovation Talk" to promote exchanges and cooperation between the two countries' young people.

Seven young guests participated in the roundtable discussion, exchanging ideas on innovation and entrepreneurship among young people, changes in investment fields, and talent exchange between China and the UAE. They provided different perspectives and insights for young people worldwide.

Young guests hold a roundtable discussion. 

This year, the Beijing Overseas Talent Center and the Providence Academy will hold more live dialogues on topics related to youth innovation, to promote international cooperation and innovation-driven development.