Sharjah 24 – WAM: Fifteen global forums defining the future of agile governance were announced tahead of the eighth edition of the World Government Summit 2022 (WGS) at the pre-event Summit Dialogue held at the Museum of the Future in Dubai.
In his opening remarks, Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of the World Government Summit Organization, said that the Summit has become the world’s largest and leading platform for the creation of innovative new models of agile and resilient governance, under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
The Summit dialogue hosted Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Special Envoy for Climate Chang; Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy; Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister of State for Government Development and the Future, Vice Chair of the World Government Summit Organization; Shamma bint Suhail Faris Al Mazrui, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, Director of the World Government Summit Organization.
"The World Government Summit has become the incubator of new ideas and innovative solutions where knowledge and success stories are shared and exchanged by pioneering government officials, thought leaders and industry experts," he said.
Al Gergawi noted that WGS 2022 will be the largest gathering of its kind since the COVID-19 pandemic started, giving governments a much-needed platform to regroup and focus our collective strength to cement efforts for a rapid and sustainable global recovery.
He further said; "WGS reflects the UAE’s commitment to global efforts to enhance the agility and resilience of governments. We stand together to forge purposeful and constructive partnerships to support the socioeconomic recovery and development process that can unlock new opportunities for people globally."
"Enhancing collaboration and cooperation between governments, the public and the private sector, countries and communities, has never been more vital. To create greater prospects, enhance global prosperity and unleash the true potential of humanity, we must come together as one to find ways to help people prosper."
He added: "It is only fitting that we are hosting the WGS 2022 Dialogue, at the Museum of the Future. Since 2014, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced the conception of the Museum of the Future, and the first exhibition took place in the WGS 2015. And today, this conception has been delivered through the most beautiful building on earth as a reality, where future solutions to humanity’s challenges will materialise through the engagement and collaboration."
He went on to note that hosting the Summit at the Expo 2020 Dubai is symbolic of the UAE’s philosophy of connecting minds and creating the future.
"Organising WGS 2022 at Expo 2020 Dubai will make for an exceptional event," he said. "It will build on the achievements of this incredible expo that overcame unprecedented challenges and disruptions to bring people together in the most challenging of times.
"The missions of WGS and Expo 2020 Dubai are seamlessly aligned. We seek to enhance the participation of countries around the world to shape a future of shared prosperity and opportunity. We are seeking to build better governmental, economic, social and technological structures for the future. We are connecting the world’s greatest minds to create the future we all want."
More than 500 thought leaders and decision-makers will lead 110 dialogues and knowledge sessions which will explore the global trends shaping future governance.
Mohammed Al Gergawi also added that the Summit will draw more than 4,000 participants from more than 190 countries, from an array of sectors including government, artificial intelligence (AI), science, technology, aviation, finance, cryptocurrency, energy, and the economy.
Existing editions of WGS forums will be hosted, including the SDGs in Action, the Government Services Forum, the Women in Government Forum, the Global Health Forum, the Climate Change Forum, and the Gender Balance Forum.
Among the new Forums are Global Crypto Forum, Global Metaverse Forum, Global Energy Forum, Arab Government Administration Forum, Arab Meeting for Young Leaders, Investopia Summit, Cybersecurity in Aviation Forum, TIME 100, as well as Forbes 30 Under 30.
For the first time in its history, the iconic TIME 100 Gala will be held outside the United States, gathering and celebrating the world’s most influential people.
More than 30 international and regional organizations are planned to attend and engage in a range of forums, sessions, and dialogues, including the United Nations (UN), the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, Women’s Forum for the Economy and Society, the Atlantic Council, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the Arab Monetary Fund and the Islamic Development Bank.
He also mentioned that the Summit has expanded its global partnerships to 80 key strategic, knowledge and media partners, including international organisations, government agencies, governments and private sector institutions.
He reiterated the WGS Global position as a hub for thought leadership, exchanging knowledge across various areas including the future of government, sustainable cities, and the global economy. Noting that this year the eighth edition will launch 20 reports with its partners that outline critical future trends.
He revealed that the World Government Summit will organize this year ‘The Best Minister Award’ to honour the minister who excelled and turned challenges into opportunities through digitization and innovating government services. Now in its fifth round, the Best Minister Award is organized in cooperation with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).
This year’s award will be based on several criteria focused on the design and implementation of successful, scalable and applicable initiatives that aim to have a positive impact across society, enhancing government flexibility, readiness, innovation and future foresight capabilities, in addition to enhancing governance and transparency to improve people's lives.
During his remarks at the Summit Dialogue, Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Special Envoy for Climate Change, highlighted that the UAE, as a global energy leader, has been investing in clean and renewable energy for more than 15 years under the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Deputy Supreme Ruler of UAE’s Armed Forces.
He mentioned that he looks forward to the next edition of the World Government Summit, where the Global Energy Forum held in partnership with the Atlantic Council will reflect the key role of the energy sector in the world. He added that transformation in the energy sector and climate action are unprecedented opportunities to pursue a new model of development, investment opportunities, and new streams of revenue as new practices are adopted for a low carbon future.
On his part, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, highlighted the UAE Government’s plans to establish a more advanced and a new growth phase that sets the course for the next fifty years; it also marks the path to recovery for the world’s economies.
He announced that the Ministry of Economy, in partnership with the World Government Summit Organization, is launching the first edition of "Investopia" Investment Summit, an Emirati initiative that supports aspirations to accelerate the growth of new economic sectors and double the size of the UAE’s economy by 2030. The initiative will consolidate the UAE’s position as a top destination for investment tapping into innovative ideas that create new growth opportunities for all.
Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri added: "The first edition of the Investopia will discuss prospects for global economic growth focusing on emerging markets, transformations in global investment over the next decade, and the new generation of financial technologies, primarily, digital assets, the latest trends in sustainable finance and green investment fields, investment opportunities offered by virtual reality technologies, agricultural technology, healthcare technology, creative economy, and other vital topics."
During her remarks at the Summit Dialogue, Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi, discussed the Arab Government Administration Forum and the Women in Government Forum.
On Arab Government Administration Forum, held with the Arab Administrative Development Organization (ARADO) of the League of Arab States, Al Roumi said that its launch reflects the World Government Summit’s commitment to government development in the Arab world, where governments can benefit from regional and global best practices as they collectively aspire to innovate their government models and services to build future readiness. The Forum will convene high-level government officials, including Arab ministers of civil service, in ministerial meetings, panel discussions, as well as the launch of a report on the state of Arab administration drafted by top experts and based on interviews with 2,000 civil servants across the region.
On Women in Government Forum, she added that empowering women in government leadership positions is a key focus of the WGS. Highlighting that less than 30% of women in government hold leadership positions and only 21% are ministers according to the World Bank, she noted that the Forum will bring together 50 women leaders and decision-makers to discuss women’s role and the necessity of developing the next generation of women leaders in government.
Shamma bint Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Youth Affairs, and Vice President of the Arab Youth Center affirmed that "The WGS focused since its launch on the needs, aspirations and visions of young people." She explained that this year, the World Government Summit will witness three major youth initiatives, namely; the "Arab Meeting for Young Leaders", highlighting successful Arab models in the field of youth empowerment; the "Forum of Young Government Leaders"; and youth-specific workshops held at WGS.
Reflecting on these major initiatives, she added that they "will achieve a set of strategic goals of unifying efforts to support youth in the areas of self-development, job opportunities, entrepreneurship, scientific research and climate change."
On his part, Omar Sultan Al Olama Minister of State of Artificial Intelligence Digital Economy and Remote Work Application, Managing Director of the World Government Summit Organization, in a world filled with volatility and uncertainty countries, governments and institutions have a new mission to develop their proactive approach to be able to coop with the population increase, which affects various sectors, including future jobs, economy, Internet and other vital sectors.
He stressed that it is necessary to provide a different work environment, providing a work model that enhances the value of human connection, but adopts flexibility that allows work in different locations, adding that the Crypto forum discusses the most important challenges faced by global technology companies in implementing this crypto concept in the short and medium term.
The WGS Organization singed 3 new strategic partnerships, with the Ministry of Economy on co-hosting Investopia Summit, the Federal Youth Authority to co-host Arab Meeting for Young Leaders, as well as PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to organize the Best Minister Award during the WGS eighth edition.
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