Young political leaders from youth organisations and political parties met in Cairo from April 23 to 27, 2009 and following thorough and, at times, animated discussions and a series of votes formally established the Union of Arab Liberal Youth (UALY). The delegates represented youth wings of liberal parties and organizations who have joined hands in the Network of Arab Liberals (NAL). This group is the main political partner of the regional projects of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Liberty (FNF). Regional Director Dr. Ronald Meinardus, who addressed the young delegates and was present throughout the conference was pleased in the end: "This is a historic event for organized liberalism in this part of the world, as it will be up to the young generation to set the political pace in the future."

The delegates had come to Cairo with a clear mandate of their organizations – to discuss and adopt by-laws, agree on a basic programmatic document and, last but not least, elect the leadership of the Union. All this was achieved in the course of three busy days. The mood heated up on the last day for the elections of the first board of the newly established organization. After long debates and fierce campaigning, the delegates gave a majority of votes to Daad Azzi from the National Liberal Party of Lebanon, who will head the group in the coming two years. Young leaders from Morocco, Tunisia, Jordan, Palestine and Egypt are joining Ms. Azzi on the Board.