The Saudi Arabia Pavilion, the largest international pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, today (February 13) signed a deal with the Emirates Foundation to launch a high-level integrated programme to provide volunteering opportunities for Saudi youth based in the UAE.

This MoU will help open new horizons for volunteer work in the region, remarked Dr Fahad bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Yabis, Commission General and Project Manager for the Saudi Arabia Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, after signing the deal with Ahmed Talib Al Shamsi, Acting CEO of Emirates Foundation.

"In line with Saudi Vision 2030, we are committed to promoting a culture of volunteerism. In this context, we are keen to encourage the participation of young Saudi volunteers in our pavilion by involving those living in the UAE," remarked Dr Al Yabis.

"Our alliance with the Emirates Foundation falls within the wider framework of cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the UAE across all spheres and sectors," he said.

"Our co-operation with the Emirates Foundation will include the creation of a special digital platform for Saudi volunteers which will be linked to the Saudi Pavilion’s main online platform," he added.

On the key partnership, Al Shamsi said: " Emirates Foundation is honored to be collaborating with the Saudi Arabia Pavilion at Expo 2020 and extending its support to engage, train and equip Saudi residents in the UAE to take on diverse volunteering roles at Expo 2020 and gain unrivalled hands-on experience, exposure and work-ready skills as they help to organize one of the world’s largest and most engaging events."

Thurya Al Badran, the head of Visitor Services and Volunteering Programme at the Saudi Arabia Pavilion, said: "In commitment to the value of citizenship and our belief that the youth are the true source of our nation’s capital, the Saudi Arabia Pavilion, that is taking part in the biggest international event in the region, is offering opportunities for volunteers in several areas."

"Volunteering is an essential component of our strategy as it aims to highlight and hone volunteers’ capabilities, enrich their practical skills, unleash their creativity and energy in a way that enhances the image of the Kingdom and its youth," she explained.

"In line with the youth capacity building objective of the synergy, the volunteers will receive mentoring and guidance during their participation in Expo 2020 Dubai, and be evaluated following the completion of their assignments," he added.-TradeArabia News Service