UAE Flag Raised on Europe’s Highest Mountain

To the Summits Program participants reach Mount Elbrus peak, raising the UAE flag on Europe’s highest mountain.
Fifteen participants from the To the Summits program, including Emirati women, successfully reached the summit of Mount Elbrus in Russia the highest mountain in Europe at 5,642 meters raising the UAE flag in a patriotic moment that embodied determination, belonging, and pride.
This remarkable achievement reflects the values instilled by Sharjah Capability Development (SCD) in its youth: teamwork, leadership, and endurance. Despite extreme natural challenges, freezing temperatures, heavy snow, and daunting altitudes, the participants demonstrated extraordinary unity and resilience.
Climbing Elbrus was not only a physical task, but also a learning experience of discipline, teamwork, and stepping beyond comfort zones. Such expeditions do not simply produce mountaineers; they cultivate leaders capable of adapting under pressure, communicating in the most difficult moments, and drawing strength from challenges. The true summit is not measured by altitude, but by the lifelong skills participants acquire to guide them in life, work, and leadership.
H.E. Khalid Ibrahim Al Nakhi, Director of Sharjah Capability Development, stated:
“What our sons and daughters have achieved through the To the Summits program is a source of great pride. They have proven that Sharjah’s youth possess strong willpower and the ability to lead and work as one team. Reaching the summit of Elbrus sends a clear message: investing in the potential of youth is an investment in the future of the UAE.”
This milestone crowns a training journey that began in Kyrgyzstan, advanced through specialized programs at Ski Dubai, where participants showcased resilience and determination. The program reaffirms Sharjah’s pioneering role in empowering youth and equipping them with inspiring life experiences that enhance their ability to overcome challenges and create success stories that elevate the UAE’s name globally.