Dubai: The Arab world will have a better future if its countries manage to utilise tools for forecasting political and economic dynamics so that they can be ready for future changes and challenges, said His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Shaikh Mohammad made the statement as he acquainted himself with the State of the World in 2017 report issued by the Arab Strategy Forum. The report highlights expected prominent economic and political events in the Arab region and around the world.
Shaikh Mohammad emphasised that rapid political and economic changes make it an imperative for the Arab world to be well prepared for the future, and pointed out that global leadership is only possible for trend-setting countries that adopt tools for forecasting the future. “We want the Arab world to be a better place for the people, and this requires political determination and adopting a comprehensive development model that includes Arab youth, who are a promising driving force for change,” said Shaikh Mohammad.
“The youth are a strategic resource that requires care and attention. A development model that is based on their participation and empowerment must be approved, which will activate their role in forecasting the future, drawing up scenarios and transforming challenges into opportunities, and opportunities into achievements,” he added.
“The Arab world is filled with opportunities that can change reality, if they are utilised properly. We need to now adopt a proactive outlook in order to overcome challenges. Experiences in the past have inspired and taught us that countries that forecast the future and were well prepared for it are the same nations who are now leading global trends, while countries who sit by and watch will simply remain stagnant observers,” he said.
