In a remarkable achievement that showcases the presence of young Emirati talent on the international stage, the United Nations has selected Emirati engineer Majid bin Zubaid to articulate the voice of the world’s youth during the 15th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, currently taking place in Abu Dhabi.
Representing Youth Perspectives
During his address, bin Zubaid conveyed the aspirations and vision of young people regarding the future of justice and international cooperation. He concluded his speech by presenting an official youth statement to the conference leadership, which was represented by the Minister of Justice, Abdullah Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi. This statement encapsulated the voices and recommendations of youth from various countries across the globe.
A Journey of Commitment
In an exclusive interview with Emirates Today, bin Zubaid explained that his selection began with the Federal Youth Authority, which appointed him to represent youth in the private sector. He praised their pioneering role in creating opportunities for Emirati youth.
This initial selection led to a collaborative phase with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and young individuals from diverse nations and cultures. They engaged in discussions about crime prevention challenges, digital security, artificial intelligence, and the role of youth in policymaking, working to translate these discussions into actionable recommendations. With the backing of the Federal Youth Authority and the Ministry of Justice, bin Zubaid gained the confidence of the UN team, leading to his role as the youth representative and the bearer of the forum’s outcomes at the conference.
Building a Professional Legacy
bin Zubaid shared highlights from his professional journey that reflect the integration of these fields. An electrical engineer by training, he started his career in the private sector and currently serves as Vice President for Strategic Account Management at ABB, a global leader in technology and energy.
He noted that much of his development resulted from the opportunities provided by the UAE, beginning with the Nafis programme, from which he graduated as part of the UAE Government Leadership programme. His journey expanded through the Federal Youth Authority as he assumed leadership roles within the Nafis youth council and spearheaded several national initiatives, paving the way for his international representation in organisations such as the IEC and ISA, as well as representing Emirati youth at the Y20 within the G20 framework. His esteemed role on the Board of Trustees of the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy further underscores his commitment to his field, as he believes that engineering opened many doors for him, while his youth work broadened his responsibilities, ensuring each experience naturally led to the next.
A Message of Responsibility
Reflecting on the emotions he felt while speaking at the conference, bin Zubaid emphasised that his first sentiment was one of responsibility rather than pride. “At that moment, I was not speaking only for myself, but as an Emirati youth representative standing on an international platform, carrying the collective voice and recommendations of youth culture from around the world,” he explained.
The core message he aimed to deliver was that youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow, but partners in the present. They are living the challenges, understanding the surrounding transformations, and possess the capability to contribute to solutions and policy-making. He expressed pride in representing the UAE, a nation that believes in its youth, granting them the trust and space to create impact locally and internationally.
Insights from the Youth Statement
Regarding the youth statement he presented to the Minister of Justice, bin Zubaid revealed that it synthesised discussions and outputs from youth across various UN member states. The focus was on a fundamental idea: that crime prevention must begin before the justice system is engaged—through education, youth empowerment, economic opportunities, fostering trust in institutions, and genuinely involving young people in policy and decision-making that affects their communities.
The statement also highlighted new challenges, such as cybersecurity, digital safety, media literacy, and the ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence and modern technologies within the justice system. It conveyed a core message advocating for youth to be genuine partners in building safer and more just communities, rather than merely a demographic from which to solicit opinions.
A Symbol of Progress
In closing, bin Zubaid remarked that this achievement epitomises the trust and support of wise leadership. The leadership has provided confidence, opportunities, and platforms while national institutions have translated this direction into real opportunities. He affirmed that youth are the tools for translating this vision into results and impacts that raise the UAE’s profile on every international stage. He concluded by noting that the vision of an Emirati youth in such a forum reflects a comprehensive system that believes in and empowers its youth.