A 20-year-old social media star from Dubai has been selected as a United Nations young ambassador, it has been announced.
Syrian Hayla Ghazal, whose videos offering fashion and lifestyle advice have amassed more than 70 million views, will represent the Middle East and North Africa region for YouTube during 2016.
The announcement was made during a panel discussion on diversity in the MENA region hosted by Google’s Astrolabs in Dubai.
Ghazal will use her role to represent the Middle East on YouYube and promote issues including gender equality and the role of women on the platform.
Making the announcement, Diana Baddar, head of YouTube partnerships MENA, said: “It’s a fantastic thing and I’m very proud of her.”
Among Hayla’s Arabic language videos are entertainment pieces on subjects including spotting to advice tips on using crayon as lipstick.
Her YouTube account now has more than 600,000 subscribers, while her Instagram has also gained 360,000 followers.
Since finding success on YouTube, Ghazal has graduated with a degree in business from the American University in Dubai and gone on to found her own bridal and gown shop, Hayla Couture, at Dubai’s Sunset Mall.