The UAE Ministry of Finance, in a collaborative effort with the UAE Consulate General in Shanghai and the New Development Bank (NDB), recently hosted an awareness session for Emirati students currently studying in China. This initiative forms a crucial part of the ‘UAE Global Cadres’ program, designed to equip national talent for international roles.

The session, held at the New Development Bank’s headquarters in Shanghai, focused on exploring recruitment and training mechanisms within multilateral organizations, providing clear pathways for building successful careers in the international financial sector. Distinguished attendees at the event included H.E. Muhannad Sulaiman Al Naqbi, Consul General of the UAE in Shanghai; Thuraiya Hamid Alhashmi, Director of International Financial Relations and Organisations Department at MoF and Board Member of the New Development Bank; and Qiangwu Zhou, Vice-President and CAO of the New Development Bank, alongside other senior bank officials.

This event underscores the UAE’s steadfast commitment to enhancing the presence of its national talent on the global financial stage. It also serves to heighten awareness among Emirati students regarding the diverse career opportunities available within international financial institutions.

Ali Abdullah Sharafi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for International Financial Relations at the Ministry of Finance, articulated the Ministry’s vision: “The Ministry is committed to creating an interactive environment that brings together young Emirati talent with influential international organisations to stimulate national talent and enable them to explore career opportunities in the global financial sector.” He further emphasized the practical benefits for attendees: “Such meetings offer a direct window into the realities of working in multilateral organisations and give students the opportunity to learn from real-life experiences and discover promising career paths.” Sharafi concluded by stating, “We believe that building a strong Emirati cadre on the international stage begins with investing in knowledge and communication, an approach we are committed to advancing through initiatives like these.”

Ambassador Muhannad Sulaiman Al Naqbi also highlighted the collaborative spirit behind the initiative, emphasizing that the session “is a testament to the collaborative efforts between the Ministry of Finance and the UAE’s diplomatic missions with both sharing the same goal: empowering the nation’s youth to succeed on the global stage.” He added, “The UAE Global Cadres initiative is an extension of the country’s diplomatic approach to building bridges of communication between Emirati students and influential global organisations.” Al Naqbi expressed optimism for the future, remarking, “We hope this session inspires students to explore new horizons in the international financial sector and, in doing so, strengthen their contributions to both the national and global economies.”

The session commenced with a warm welcome speech from Qiangwu Zhou, who greeted the students and praised the ongoing collaboration between the NDB and the UAE. Zhou stated, “We are delighted to host this panel discussion, which highlighted the strong interest and awareness among Emirati students in international business. Investing in young talent has been and will continue to be a top priority for us.” He further noted the significance of such gatherings: “Events such as this provide invaluable opportunities to introduce the next generation to fulfilling careers within multilateral organisations, while fostering diversity and expertise in the Bank’s future workforce.”

Presentations during the session extensively explored the pivotal role of the UAE Global Cadres Initiative in empowering Emiratis to pursue career and training opportunities within leading international financial institutions. The initiative actively supports this objective by offering introductory programs, specialized knowledge content, and fostering strategic partnerships with key entities like the New Development Bank. Discussions also covered the Ministry of Finance’s ongoing efforts to create an enabling environment for Emiratis seeking to enter multilateral institutions, which includes providing support with application procedures, facilitating secondment opportunities, and developing tailored training programs.

Representatives from the New Development Bank delivered comprehensive presentations outlining their recruitment mechanisms and the various professional development pathways available within the organization. They provided detailed information on key programs specifically targeting young talent, outlining application processes, admission criteria, and the specific skillsets and specializations that are most in demand. The students actively participated, engaging with the speakers through insightful questions regarding application requirements, desired areas of specialization, and the day-to-day working environment at the bank.

This gathering is a clear demonstration of the Ministry’s continuous commitment to deepening strategic partnerships with international financial institutions and expanding career opportunities for UAE nationals, thereby driving the country’s overarching vision of building a globally competitive and influential national workforce.