Ideas Abu Dhabi, a flagship forum organized by Tamkeen in association with the Aspen Institute, and the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) convened a session of UAE Rhodes Scholars alongside leaders from civil society and business community.
President Bill Clinton, 42nd President of the United States and Board Chair, Clinton Foundation, led the session, which examined how emerging leaders can most effectively build partnerships and take action on urgent issues facing our world.
This event, which marks the sixth edition of Ideas Abu Dhabi, celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Rhodes Scholarship for the UAE.
Held in partnership with the CGI, Rhodes Trust, and the Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation, the event convened 12 UAE Rhodes Scholars, including Majida Al Maktoum (UAE Rhodes Scholar 2019), Representative of Dubai Executive Council; Amal Al Gergawi (UAE Rhodes Scholar 2019), Researcher at NYU Abu Dhabi Marine Biology Lab; and Abdulla AlHashmi (UAE Rhodes Scholar 2020), Associate at McKinsey; in the presence of Professor Sir Rick Trainor, Warden of Rhodes House & CEO of Rhodes Trust, and Khulood Khaldoon Al Atiyat, on behalf of the Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation.
Moderated by Rima Al Mokarrab, Co-Chair of Ideas Abu Dhabi and Chair of Tamkeen, the discussion explored the essential tools and strategies needed to prepare future leaders for navigating complex global challenges in a new era with vision and purpose.
Addressing UAE Rhodes Scholars, Clinton said: “Leadership starts with how you see the world, and I personally believe this is the most interdependent age in human history. We need to figure out ways to make prosperity more broadly shared, to make opportunity more broadly shared, and to not categorize people in a way that diminishes their human potential.”
Rima Al Mokarrab said:“We are living in an era of extraordinary change. Advancements in technology, particularly artificial intelligence, are having a transformative impact on business, education, government, and beyond. At the same time, global challenges like climate change, public health, and growing inequality demand solutions that are bold, innovative, and collaborative.
“The Ideas Abu Dhabi forum enables us to come together to explore the pressing matters that define our time, creating space to spark collaboration, foster innovation, and turn dialogue into meaningful action. Against the backdrop of the UAE Rhodes 10-year anniversary, we are privileged to welcome President Bill Clinton – a distinguished Rhodes Scholar and visionary leader – who has dedicated his career to bridging divide. His valuable insights help us better understand the essential tools needed to navigate the complexities of the 21st century.”
The Rhodes Scholarship is a prestigious international award that allows outstanding students to continue their studies at the UK’s University of Oxford. The UAE chapter produced scholars who achieved remarkable milestones, including Shamma Al Mazrui, the UAE’s first Emirati Rhodes Scholar, who is currently the UAE’s Minister of Community Empowerment and was previously appointed as the UAE Minister of State for Youth Affairs in February 2016 at the age of 22, making her the world’s youngest cabinet minister at the time of her appointment.
Professor Sir Rick Trainor spoke to the impact of the Rhodes Scholarship, particularly in shaping visionary leaders across the globe:“The Rhodes Trust selects exceptional individuals who come to study at the University of Oxford and join our vibrant global community. We are delighted to celebrate 10 years of welcoming Scholars from the United Arab Emirates through our partnership with the Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation. I look forward to the impact that the 2025 Scholars Elect, and those who will follow in future cohorts, will make as they pursue their own journeys of excellence and leadership.”
Angela Migally, Executive Director of the Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation, which endows the scholarship, said: "Marking its tenth anniversary milestone, the Rhodes Scholarship continues to be an exceptional opportunity for talented students to further develop expertise at one of the world’s most renowned educational institutions. Being a part of such a community enables our scholars to contribute to a better future for our nation and the world. Ten years on, the UAE Rhodes scholarship demonstrates our nation’s commitment to the transformative impact of ethical leadership.”
Since its inception in 2017, Ideas Abu Dhabi has convened over one thousand global leaders to address some of the world's most pressing challenges. The forum continues to position Abu Dhabi as a hub for collaboration and innovation, where diverse perspectives converge to prompt progress. Former speakers have included Bill Gates, Chair of the Gates Foundation; Dr. Anwar Gargash, UAE Presidential Diplomatic Advisor; Ray Dalio, Founder of Bridgewater Associates; former UK Prime Ministers David Cameron, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown; and Sarah Al Amiri, UAE Minister of Education, among other notable figures.
This edition of Ideas Abu Dhabi builds on a partnership between Tamkeen and CGI to tackle urgent global challenges. At last year’s CGI Annual Meeting, timed to the U.N. General Assembly, Tamkeen and the International Affairs Office at the UAE Presidential Court launched an expanded global FoodTech Challenge to provide $2 million in funding to solutions that are addressing food and water scarcity amidst a changing climate.
