Abu Dhabi:Sheikha Dr. Shamma bint Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan highlighted the significance of safeguarding the future for upcoming generations during her speech on the final day of the Forbes Middle East Sustainability Leaders Summit 2026. As the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan Cultural and Educational Institutions, she underscored the importance of long-term thinking in sustainability efforts.

According to Emirates News Agency, Sheikha Shamma reflected on lessons from the UAE's past, including the wisdom of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who emphasized that the worth of people's endeavors should be measured beyond their own lifetimes. She drew parallels to the ancient aflaj irrigation systems that benefited generations long after their creation.

Sheikha Shamma also referenced the UAE’s pearl-diving heritage, illustrating the necessity of reliance and responsibility through the metaphor of a diver and the Seeb, the person responsible for the diver's safety. She compared future generations to divers, dependent on today's actions to ensure their safety and prosperity.

She warned that this responsibility now extends beyond natural resources to include the realm of artificial intelligence. She cautioned against allowing short-term gains to overshadow long-term sustainability, as this could lead to resource depletion being ingrained in future technologies.

In her address, Sheikha Shamma praised President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his visionary leadership, which she stated acknowledges the importance of connecting the past, present, and future. She concluded by urging participants to reflect on the impact of their decisions on future generations and invited them to observe a moment of silence for those yet to be born, emphasizing their shared duty to protect the future.