Dubai: The sharpest minds in the world will gather in Dubai next week to discuss solutions to the biggest challenges of the future as the UAE hosts the first Annual Meeting of the Global Future Councils – the world’s largest think tank – from November 13-14.
Co-chaired by His Excellency Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and The Future, the Annual Meeting of the Global Future Councils is the inaugural gathering of the World Economic Forum’s newly formed Network of the Global Future Councils. It brings together more than 700 thought leaders from business, government, civil society and academia.Innovators and entrepreneurs account for 36 per cent of the council seats, while academics and experts represent 29 per cent, and governments and international organisations take 35 per cent.
The Annual Meeting of the Global Future Councils – set to be held in Dubai for the next two years – will set the agenda for the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos, which hosts 2,000 high-profile leaders. The Meeting addresses such topics as the Fourth Industrial Revolution and its future prospects, and will develop solutions to the challenges that may arise, in addition to exploring technological advances in various sectors.
The Network’s 50 Future Councils are tasked with assessing the challenges and opportunities across a wide range of rapidly changing sectorsincluding food security, innovation and entrepreneurship, international trade and investment, information security, the Internet, transportation, global governance, global security, production, artificial intelligence and robotics, energy, computing, education, human development, space exploration, the environment, biotechnology, and the future of cities.
H.E. Al Gergawi said: “We are delighted to be partnering with the World Economic Forum for this important new global initiative that will shed new light on our collective futures. Holding the first Annual Meeting of the Global Future Councils in Dubai cements the UAE’s position as a global platform for planning for the future and its leading role in the global efforts to create a better future. We look forward to productive sessions that provide real insights, visions, and ground-breaking ideas to overcome the challenges facing the strategic sectors that most affect people’s lives. The Councils will spearhead the efforts to find innovative ways for governments and communities to be prepared for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”
“Planning for the future has been a core principle of the UAE Government since the country’s inception,” he added. “The United Arab Emirates was founded on ambitious visions for a bright future. The country has steadily moved forward under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, which resonate with the same future-focused vision.”
The UAE was the first country to launch an integrated government strategy revolving around the concept of planning for the future, H.E. Al Gergawi said, adding that holding the first Annual Meeting of the Global Future Councils here is an affirmation of the UAE’s leading role in shaping and anticipating the future.
He added: “Over the course of two days, a group of prominent experts will take part in the world’s largest gathering dedicated to generating ideas and future-oriented initiatives in light of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. These experts will work to formulate recommendations upon which an international dialogue can be built – one that seeks to build a better future and includes highly influential leaders and decision makers, who will strive to come up with sustainable solutions for the challenges facing communities and turn them into opportunities that catalyse global growth.”
“The World Economic Forum is honoured to have a close partnership with the United Arab Emirates to drive the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Recognizing the societal, economic and business impact of the revolution is essential to prepare in a proactive way a world of prosperity and peace. We are proud to have chosen Dubai as the place and the hub for truly designing the future,” said Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum.
The Annual Meeting of the Global Future Councils is scheduled to be held in the UAE for the next two years. While the UAE will have a representative on all councils, the councils of most interest to the UAE in terms of planning for the future include those discussing the future of education, healthcare, energy, artificial intelligence, and the cities of the future.
Members will discuss ways to bolster efforts to study and plan for the future in a number of strategic sectors, and will explore effective and innovative solutions for future challenges, on top of flagging future opportunities and devising ways to capitalise on them.
