Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, has expressed his pride in being recognised as the Local Personality Supporting Youth Issues by the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak International Award for Arab Youth 2014-2015.

He expressed his gratitude to H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union (GWU), Supreme President of the Family Development Foundation (FDF) and Head of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, the patron of the prestigious award.

The UAE Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development was also recognised by the award yesterday as the leading organisation supporting Arab youth issues.

Sheikh Nahyan said, "We are honoured to receive these awards that carry H.H. Sheikha Fatima's name. To me, they are the highest honour."

He stressed that the awards demonstrate Sheikha Fatima's generosity and keenness on serving the higher interests of the nation and people.

He also hailed Sheikha Fatima's contributions towards human development.

"We learned from her that the men and women of the nation are the centre of attention in any action. We work in line with her wise directives to provide full guidance to them and to empower them to make fruitful contributions towards the progress of the society and the world," Sheikh Nahyan said.

"We also learned from her the importance of all organisations of society joining hands to achieve the goals of successful social development. We also learned from her that human and social development are essential for successful economic development. The great experience of the UAE is materialising and great attention is being given to all these aspects," Sheikh Nahyan added.

Sheikh Nahyan also noted that thanks to Sheikha Fatima, great attention is being given to the UAE's youth and women who were empowered to contribute to the country's progress alongside men.

He praised President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, for being instrumental in turning the UAE into an oasis of security, stability and prosperity.

Sheikh Nahyan also noted that thanks to Sheikha Fatima, great and particular attention is being given to the UAE youth and women who were enabled to contribute to the country's progress alongside men.

He praised President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, for being instrumental in turning the UAE to an oasis of security, stability and prosperity.