The UN Global Initiative “Generation Unlimited” Announces Selection of Al-Mashat to the Initiative’s International Board

Dr. Kevin Frey, CEO of Generation Unlimited (GenU), announced the selection of Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, to join the initiative’s board, among a list of global economic leaders and executive management officials from major private sector institutions.

This came during her participation in a panel discussion on the most prominent global economic and social trends, in the presence of Ms. Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group, as part of the activities of the 43rd World Scout Conference held in Cairo from 17 to 23 August, with the participation of 176 countries.

In her remarks, Al-Mashat expressed her gratitude for being selected as a member of the GenU’s board, after being selected as a member of the Global Leadership Council of the Initiative since 2022, applauding the efforts of the initiative and its council, which includes many decision-makers and global economic leaders; in supporting the efforts made to empower youth and mobilize resources to implement this initiative on the widest scale.

She pointed out that the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation launched the “Shabab Balad” initiative, which represents the national version of the GenU initiative, in partnership with the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Egypt and UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund), during the World Youth Forum, held under the auspices of the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt. 

Al-Mashat explained that the initiative aims to implement development projects in partnership with the private sector, international development partners, civil society organizations and youth, in addition to its positive impact on youth in Egypt in five main areas represented by education, including technical and vocational education, employment and entrepreneurship, in addition to training and upgrading skills, enhancing access to technological and digital services, in addition to stimulating positive social participation represented in volunteer work.

It is worth noting that the GenU Global Leadership Council is the highest authority in the initiative, as it is responsible for making strategic decisions and providing general guidance for all activities and programs of the initiative. 

The Council includes a group of international leaders and experts from various fields, who meet to define the strategic vision and ensure the effective implementation of the initiative. The Council’s goal is to enhance the initiative’s ability to achieve its goals in supporting and empowering youth. The United Nations initiative covers more than 50 countries to empower youth in a number of areas.

The current members of the Board, in addition to the Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, include: Mr. Christian Klein, Chairman of the Board and CEO of SAP; Ms. Kate Behnken, Vice President and Global Lead of Microsoft Philanthropies; Ms. Catherine Russell, Executive Director of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF); Ms. Jessica Anderen, CEO of IKEA; Hein Schumacher, CEO of Unilever; Vicky Aridi, Youth Economic Opportunities (YEO) 2030 Program Manager; Taha Bawa, CEO of Goodwall; Kevin Frey, CEO of Generation Unlimited; Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair, Chairman of the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation in the United Arab Emirates; Mohamed Kande, Global Chair PwC; Robert E. Moritz, former Chairman of PwC; Leo Framil, CEO of Growth Markets (Accenture); and Aiman Ezzat, CEO of CapGemini.