Dubai: The fourth edition of the World Government Summit in Dubai will be a substantial exploration in coming days by more than 3,000 global delegates eager to share the latest ways to shape future governments.

But the major gathering of world political, academic and economic figures will be even more far-reaching thanks to an avalanche of social media interest that will be observing, online and from afar, new developments at the three-day annual summit on February 8-10 at Madinat Jumeirah.

A shining example of the focus on the growing digital transformation of government this year at the summit will be the main address delivered via closed-circuit television on Monday to delegates by United States President Barack Obama who is expected to comment on the myriad challenges facing many of the 125 countries in attendance.

Emphasising the importance of social media, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, is expected to engage his 10 million followers on social media platforms in a live conversation titled ‘Dialogue of the Future on Social Media,’ from 6.30pm UAE time.

Shaikh Mohammad will answer questions on his vision for the future of government, education, health, cities and top issues.

Government leaders will also tap the summit gathering to better gauge future electronic needs of the people in relation to morphing government digital services offered online.

A closed session meeting is scheduled for Monday afternoon of e-government directors from across the Arab world to help better integrate cooperation as well as share new insights into the digitalisation of services unfolding in recent years, especially in GCC countries where internet penetration is high and demand for online services is strong.

Summit organisers, in cooperation with Deloitte Foundation, are set to survey roughly 1,200 government officials from 70 countries to collect views on the digital transformation of government. More than 140 delegates will also be interviewed for the survey.

Findings on the digitalisation of government services from the sweeping survey will be released at the fifth World Government Summit next year.

Highlights from the summit include many top thinkers from across the political, economic and academic worlds who will speak on the impact and future of social media on a new world order.

During the first day, a keynote address titled ‘The Dawn of the Fourth Industrial Revolution; will be delivered by Professor Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum.

Dr Derek Muller, physicist, filmmaker and television presenter, will talk about ways social media is transforming education of the future.

World Bank President Jim Yong Kim is set to speak about inclusive governance and prosperity while the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) secretary-general Jose Angel Gurria will talk about better public governance.

Lieutenant General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, will speak in a session titled ‘Doctrine of Integration’, during which he will discuss the UAE vision, adopted in unifying efforts and integrating capabilities to shape a better future.

Summit delegates will also take part in a series of meetings and sessions to discuss ways to implement the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

These meetings are held in cooperation with international organisations participating in the summit, especially the United Nations and the World Bank, to discuss the SDGs that have been agreed upon by the international community under the auspices of the UN in September 2015 in New York.

MBA students attend

A delegation of 50 MBA students from around the world will also be attending the World Government Summit.

The students were brought together by Khalifa Al Hajeri, an Emirati MBA student studying in Barcelona, and will be sponsored by the Prime Minister’s Office in the UAE.

“Out of the 250 applications received, 50 MBA students were chosen to attend. Three of the students are also participating in one of the summit’s panels with the United Nations. Business schools are supposed to prepare students to bring innovation to the real world and the World Government Summit has the same goal. The MBA students will also never get a chance to witness such important speakers under one roof.”