What is YAL?

Young Arab Leaders (YAL) is a pan-Arab, non-profit organization with a view to improving the socio-economic situation in the Arab World through initiatives in a myriad of sectors and disciplines; mainly in leadership development, entrepreneurship and education. YAL was founded in 2004 during the World Economic Forum in the Dead Sea, under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Young Arab Leaders (YAL) is headquartered in Dubai and governed by a Board of Trustees under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Royal Highness Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al-Khalifa Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Bahrain Defense Force and His Majesty King Abdullah II of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

Established in February 2004, we aim to galvanize 500 of the most accomplished, result-oriented individuals from the region who realize it is time to take a more active and responsible role in improving the state of the Arab world.

With presence in other parts of the Arab world, the YAL Bahrain Chapter was officially launched in November 2005 by His Royal Highness Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al-Khalifa Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Bahrain Defense Force. The Chairman for the Bahrain Chapter is Sheikh Mohammed Bin Essa Al-Khalifa, the Chief Executive of the Economic Development Board.