Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit opened the 49th session of the Council of Arab Youth and Sports Ministers on Tuesday, delivering a stark warning about the cultural and psychological challenges facing the "Gen Z" generation in an increasingly volatile world.
Addressing ministers in Cairo, Aboul Gheit highlighted that young people today—nearly a third of the global population—are growing up amid deep geopolitical instability and rapid technological shifts. He noted that while this generation is the most digitally connected in history, they suffer from unprecedented levels of isolation and a weakening connection to local cultural identities.
"The belonging of this generation to local cultures is weaker than previous generations," Aboul Gheit said, pointing to the profound influence of social media and Artificial Intelligence. He described the widening generational gap as a "national security issue" that requires urgent study and strategic intervention.
The Secretary-General called on Arab institutions to bridge this divide by leveraging technology to foster belonging rather than isolation. He emphasized that the youth's mastery of digital tools should serve as a "lever" to propel Arab societies into the future economy.
The session marked the transition of the council's presidency from Iraq to the United Arab Emirates, with Aboul Gheit praising regional efforts to unify youth policies across the Arab world.
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