The forum is organized by the MiSK Foundation which aims to generate youth initiative.

The essential role that young people will play in Saudi’s reform program is being highlighted at the MiSK Global Forum that kicked off on Tuesday in Riyadh.

Under the slogan “Youth Leaders Come Together,” the two-day event joins young Saudi men and women with a range of global thought leaders, businessmen and sportsmen from over 65 countries.

Speakers will share their insights and ideas on the opportunities available to young people in the global economy, and reflect on lessons required for future success.

The UN’s Youth Envoy Ahmad Alhendawi called on Arab leaders to treat the region’s 100 million young people as an asset, not a liability, as he spoke to the MiSK Global Forum.

A report by the United Nations labor agency in August showed that Arab states count the world’s highest youth unemployment rate, above 30 percent.

Overall, the region needs to create 60 million jobs by 2020, Alhendawi said.

Even though that figure seems unreachable, he said the region should establish “an enabling environment” which would make it easier for young people to start businesses, and where they are seen “as an asset, not as a liability”.

The forum, which continues on Wednesday, is organized by the MiSK Foundation which aims to generate youth initiative.

It was founded by 31-year-old Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who in April launched the wide-ranging Vision 2030 plan for enhancing the role of the private sector as part of economic diversification.

Mounira Jamjoom

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