Saeed Al Nazari is a United Arab Emirates (UAE) government official. He is the Secretary General of Great Arab Minds, and served as the director general of the Federal Youth Authority, executive director of the youth at the UAE Prime Minister's Office, and chief strategy officer of the Arab Youth Center. During his career, he has overseen more than fifty national projects, including the development of the National Youth Agenda and the Emirati Youth Empowerment Model in the UAE.
Saeed Al Nazari leads transformational projects and creative affairs at the Executive Office of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE, and ruler of Dubai. He also oversees the Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Leadership Development, the region’s oldest leadership development institution, established in 2003. He manages the Arab Strategy Forum, which studies and analyzes the political and economic landscape of the Arab world. In 2023, he was appointed the secretary-general of the Great Arab Minds, an initiative equivalent to the Nobel Prize in the Arab world, and chairs the Dubai Creative Unit.
Education Al Nazari holds an executive master’s in business administration from Georgetown University, higher studies in leadership and foreign policy from New York University, a master’s degree in leadership and corporate entrepreneurship, and a BA (Hons) in business administration and human resources management from the Higher Colleges of Technology in Dubai. He is also an alumnus of the Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Scholars Program at New York University. Additionally, he graduated from the professional management studies program at Cambridge University in the United Kingdom, studied strategy and planning at London Business School, and completed the international fellows program as well as courses in strategic narratives and storytelling at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Awards
Al Nazari has received more than 10 national and international accolades, including the Academic Excellence Award, Global Student Award, Leader of the Year Award at the Higher Colleges of Technology, and the Emirates Award for the Arabian Gulf Youth for his project Factory of Dreams. Factory of Dreams is a proposed crowd-funding website designed specifically to help low-income young entrepreneurs.
The Mubadala Youth Award in recognition of his passion and achievements in promoting leadership, innovation, and happiness through his work in society. In 2016, he was among the team members awarded by the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Excellence Award for the Youth Circles Initiative.
Also in 2016, he led the work on building the first healthcare drone in the UAE, which was shortlisted among the top five in the Drones for Good Award.
In 2019, Saeed Al Nazari received the King Hamad Youth Empowerment Award for his contributions to youth initiatives in the region.
Career Al Nazari began his career as a receptionist at Emirates Islamic Bank, later holding various roles, including investor and employee relations at Dubai Airport Free Zone, managing Emiratization projects at Noor Bank, and leading Learning and Development at Dubai Silicon Oasis.
Al Nazari was the youngest assistant manager - HR at the Noor Bank, back in 2012. Earlier than his role, Al Nazari worked as a Project Manager in the Executive Office of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, where he got to work on strategic projects like the Arab Social Media Influencers Summit, the Arab Strategy Forum, and AREA 2071.
He served as executive director of Youth Affairs at the UAE Prime Minister’s Office before being appointed Director General of the Federal Youth Authority by decree of the President of the UAE and the UAE Cabinet. This appointment made him the youngest undersecretary in the UAE federal government. In this role, he oversees the development and implementation of youth policies and programs, ensuring they align with the nation’s vision for youth empowerment. Saeed Al Nazari led the establishment phase of the Federal Youth Authority, reporting its strategic objectives, plans, programs, financials, and communication plans to the board of directors. As the Director General, he was part of the Golden Jubilee Celebration Committee, coordinating various youth engagement activities and events for the UAE's Golden Jubile.
He was a founding member and Chief Strategy Officer at the Arab Youth Center, where he led the center’s development, strategy, and programs. He was responsible for establishing Special Olympics UAE, an NGO chaired by Sheikha Mariam bint Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. His efforts covered the strategy, establishment of the team, brand development, and digital presence.
In 2016, following the directive of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he managed the transition phase of splitting youth affairs from sports, establishing the new youth sector within the UAE government.
Youth empowerment programs and strategic initiatives Al Nazari has led and managed more than 50 national projects, including the Federal Youth Hub, National Emirates Youth Values Program, United Nations Youth Delegates Program, Emirates Youth Summer Academy, Young Economist Program, 100 Mentors Program, and the Youth Circles, which won the Mohammed Bin Rashid Government Excellence Award in the category of Distinguished Initiatives. As Chief Strategy Officer of the Arab Youth Centre, Al Nazari led and managed several regional initiatives and programs, including the Young Arab Media Leaders Program.
Al Nazari is a member of the National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals, and has previously served on the Boards of Directors for the Emirates Schools Establishment, the National SMEs Board, the Emirates Council for Advanced Skills, the Quality of Life Council, the Digital Quality of Life Council, and the National Human Resources Development Fund Management Committee. He also led the Youth Committee of the GCC and was a member of the Youth Committee of the Arab League and the Global Shapers of the World Economic Forum.
Enrolled in the UAE Government Leadership Program, Al Nazari was also a member of the first Emirates Youth Council and was appointed a global innovation ambassador at the Global Innovation Management Institute.
He participated in international forums, including the World Economic Forum’s Shape MENA, the Festival de Cannes in France, the Future Investment Initiative in Saudi Arabia, and the Academy of Achievement Summit.
In 2015 Saeed Al Nazari managed the first edition of the Arab Social Media Award and the Arab Social Media Influencers Summit, both initiatives launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. These events recognized the influence of social media in the Arab world and encouraged positive online engagement. He was a contributor to developing the Dubai Innovation Strategy, approved by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai. This strategy launched 20 initiatives aimed at making Dubai an innovative city, promoting a culture of innovation across sectors.
In 2016, when the Youth Sector was established as a ministry within the UAE Federal Government, Saeed Al Nazari led its development phase. He initiated and oversaw strategic projects, including the establishment phase, the first 100 days plan, and the national agenda.
He also led the National Youth Dialogue, launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. This initiative aimed to involve young Emiratis in discussions on national issues, encouraging their active participation in the policymaking process.
Saeed Al Nazari managed the development of the first National Youth Agenda, launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and approved by the UAE Cabinet. The agenda focused on strategic priorities for the development of young Emiratis in areas such as education, employment, and civic engagement. Also in 2016 he led, developed, and managed the Youth Circles initiative, which has become a global model for youth engagement under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The initiative has hosted over 1,500 circles with more than 100,000 participants.
Saeed Al Nazari managed the UAE UN Youth Delegate Programme, launched in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the UAE Mission to the UN, under the patronage of Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The program provides young Emiratis with opportunities to represent their country at the United Nations.
He contributed to the development of Flow Café at Emirates Towers, a hub for ministers, CEOs, entrepreneurs, and employees to gather and collaborate.
Among his major contributions to the UAE, Saeed Al Nazari led and managed the development of Youth Hubs, the UAE's model for youth centers offering creative spaces and services. Launched by the UAE President and Vice Presidents, Al Nazari was instrumental in the design, programs, and operations of these hubs, including those in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah.
In 2016 Saeed Al Nazari developed the UAE Framework for Youth Empowerment, which was approved by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The framework outlines strategic initiatives to support the development and empowerment of young Emiratis. During his tenure at Dubai Silicon Oasis, Saeed Al Nazari managed the "Happiest People" initiative, Dubai's first corporate happiness strategy and program. This initiative aimed to enhance employee well-being and productivity by fostering a positive work environment.
In 2016, Saeed Al Nazari contributed to the establishment and management of the Mohammed bin Rashid Endowment Center, launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The center promotes the endowment culture in the UAE, supporting various sectors such as education, health, and social services, and serves as for sustainable philanthropy in the region.
Saeed Al Nazari was involved in implementing seven educational innovative initiatives in schools and universities across the UAE, announced by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan. These initiatives aimed to promote innovation within the education sector, fostering a culture of creativity and forward-thinking among students.
Al Nazari was a member of the first Federal Youth Council in the UAE and managed the development of youth councils in various ministries and companies. These councils provide a platform for young people to engage with government officials and contribute to policy development.
In 2017, as part of the founding team of Area 2071, Saeed Al Nazari contributed to this initiative, launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and chaired by Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs. Area 2071 is a platform designed to create an ecosystem that fosters innovation and collaboration among government entities, private sector companies, and startups, aligning with the UAE’s vision for its centennial in 2071.
Saeed Al Nazari led the development of the Youth Participation in Global Missions Policy, signed by the Prime Minister. This policy ensured that seats were allocated to youth in international delegations, enabling young Emiratis to gain global experience.
He managed and organized the first Youth Retreat in the UAE, bringing together ministers, strategists, and youth from multiple sectors to shape the UAE's strategy on youth empowerment. The retreat facilitated dialogue between young leaders and government officials, to develop collaborative ways to respond to challenges faced by the youth.