Page 89 - MINISTRY OF CULTURE PR REPORT - AUGUST 2025

8/15/25, 1:06 PM Al-Futtaim launches “Building Bridges” to empower Emirati youth and celebrate 70 years of UAE–Japan partnership
Al-Futtaim launches “Building Bridges” to empower Emirati youth

and celebrate 70 years of UAE–Japan partnership

In alignment with the UAE’s Year of Community

August 14, 2025

This initiative reflects Al-Futtaim’s enduring commitment to national development and global engagement. Image Courtesy: Al-Futtaim

One of the best youth initiatives of the year, Building Bridges: Voices of the Future has been launched as part of the UAE’s Year
of Community by Al-Futtaim in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Culture, Emirates Foundation, and Al Khaleejiya Radio
100.9, with the support of the UAE Pavilion. This standout program will send 50 of the UAE’s most talented young citizens to
represent the nation at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, where they will explore world-class showcases, engage in cultural exchange,
and connect with groundbreaking innovations shaping the future.

This initiative reflects Al-Futtaim’s enduring commitment to national development and global engagement. It also underscores the
company’s legacy of more than 70 years of partnership with Japan, through its representation of 13 leading Japanese brands. The
choice of Osaka as the destination is symbolic, reaffirming the deep bilateral relationship and a shared commitment to innovation,
collaboration, and cross-cultural exchange.

The delegates, aged 21 to 30, were selected through a rigorous, multi-partner process led by Al-Futtaim, the UAE Ministry of
Culture, Emirates Foundation, and Al Khaleejiya Radio. Candidates were evaluated based on key criteria such as ambassadorial
potential, creativity, cross-cultural awareness, community impact, and leadership capability. As part of the selection, applicants
were asked to complete a creative exercise that demonstrated their alignment with the programme’s values.

Commenting on the initiative, Omar Al Futtaim, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Al-Futtaim, said: “This
initiative perfectly aligns with our values of empowering individuals and contributing to the prosperity of the nation. By
providing these exceptional young Emiratis with the opportunity to represent the UAE on a global stage, we are not only
strengthening the bond between the UAE and Japan but also investing in the development of future ambassadors who will carry
the UAE’s message of progress, diversity, and innovation to the world. This programme provides an unparalleled platform for
young Emiratis to develop their leadership skills, broaden their horizons, and become influential advocates for the UAE on the
global stage, truly celebrating their voices as future global ambassadors.”

H.E. Mubarak Al Nakhi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, commented, “Building Bridges is a powerful initiative
that reflects the UAE’s commitment to empowering youth and strengthening global cultural dialogue. This initiative offers our
young creatives and leaders a platform to engage with the world while reinforcing the deep-rooted cultural ties between the UAE
and Japan. At the Ministry of Culture, we believe that nurturing cross-cultural understanding and global collaboration is essential
to shaping a more inclusive, creative, and sustainable future. We are proud to support this journey and confident that these young
ambassadors will carry forward the spirit of our heritage and the vision of our nation.”

Adding to this sentiment, H.E. Ahmed Taleb Al Shamsi, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Foundation, stated: “Emirates
Foundation is dedicated to empowering the youth of the UAE, and the ‘Building Bridges’ initiative offers an unparalleled
opportunity for our young talent to engage with global communities. We believe this experience will be transformative, equipping
them with the skills and perspectives needed to become impactful leaders and innovators.”

The delegates will travel in three cohorts between August and October 2025, taking part in cultural immersions, leadership
workshops, and visits to Expo 2025, where they will engage with global peers and innovations. As youth ambassadors, they will
help deepen UAE–Japan ties by sharing the UAE’s heritage and vision, while gaining insights and networks to inspire impact at
home.

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