Dubai: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, on Saturday surprised all youth in the UAE with a bilingual SMS in Arabic and English, congratulating them on the International Youth Day (IYD).

The International Youth Day (IYD) is an awareness day designated by the United Nations and commemorated every year on August 12.

The SMS reads: “On the International Day, Youth is the foundation of every nation. Build on that foundation, reach new heights. Make your nation proud.”

On the occasion, Shamma Suhail Faris Al Mazroui, Minister of State for Youth Affairs, launched an electronic platform containing a summary of the UAE’s achievements made in the field of youth empowerment as well as its steps and political programmes launched to activate the role of young people.

The e-platform contains various information about the first UAE’s ministerial formation in 1971, which included 13 young ministers, and educational services for young people inside and outside the country as well as the President’s scholarships which offers free education in the best international universities in the world.

The platform also contains facts about the UAE’s efforts exerted in equipping youth with the best education, resulting in the country now having more than 750 educational institutions and a 100 per cent educated youth.

“The most beautiful surprise this morning was the SMS by Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid and Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed. We are very proud of their words and the confidence they placed in youth,” Shamma Al Mazroui said

“We immensely thank Their Highnesses. We will always achieve the first place and create a better future under their leadership. You are our example and with your leadership, the UAE’s contribution and giving march will be sustainable,” she added.

The e-platform can be accessed through this link: http://iyd.youth.gov.ae/