The World Economic Forum (WEF) has chosen three UAE residents as Young Global Leaders (YGLs) that will be joining a five-year programme in order to solve and resolve a wide range of risks and challenges in the Middle East and beyond.

Along with a strong cohort of 100 international peers, the three YGLs were also selected to join earlier this month. They are nominated every year. The details and the specifics of the five-year program have not yet been discussed as of now as it is in its very early stage.

The three YGLs from the UAE for 2018 are Razan Al Mubarak (Emirati), secretary-general of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi; Alisha Moopen (Indian), executive director of Aster DM Healthcare; and Tamer Makary (American), founder of Ethica Partners.

Moopen has pointed out there have been new threats that have to be dealt with swiftly and these threats seem to rise from the horizon. If not dealt with early on, then it can be a major problem sooner than before.

Moopen said, “Over the decades, significant progress has been made in combating infectious diseases globally. However, we have now arrived at a stage where lifestyle diseases and the misuse of technology have spawned an entirely new range of issues, including emotional and mental well-being, which need to be tackled proactively before they become a huge burden.”

She also stated, “I firmly believe that we have to do justice to that word ‘mankind’. There has to be kindness towards each person, towards society, and towards mankind at large. The general purpose of mankind is to serve others and be a better person. In fact, Islam establishes the moral framework within which social conscience is thoroughly encouraged.

“Hence, I am quite involved in social welfare through our Aster Volunteers programme and greatly appreciate being among those who commit their time, effort and capabilities for the benefit of mankind such as the inspirational individuals selected to be part of the Young Global Leaders programme this year.”

Makary highlighted the terrible conditions of the people living in Sub-Saharan Africa mentioning, “The rate of blindness and vision impairment is twice that of the global average in Sub-Saharan Africa. Of the existing number of visually impaired, approximately 80 percent of cases are preventable or treatable. This is a startling reality that we all need to face up to and tackle.”

Makary presently splits his time between the US and the UAE where he currently lives with his wife and his four kids.