Dubai: The Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF) has unveiled the theme for its upcoming Knowledge Summit 2018.

The fifth edition of the annual summit is scheduled for December 5 and 6, under the theme ‘Youth and the Future of the Knowledge Economy’.

The summit is being held is in line with the objectives of the UAE Vision 2021 to build a competitive economy as well as the UAE National Agenda for Youth.

Jamal Bin Huwaireb, CEO of MBRF, said: “The Knowledge Summit embarks on its fifth edition with a new message to the world — a message that focuses on the youth and their indispensable role in shaping the future of our Arab region and the world. The youth are the engine driving the advancement of societies and the catalyst ensuring their sustainability and future readiness.”

He added: “The Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation is looking to reaffirm its role as a leading knowledge institution, and empower a new generation of future leaders. Over the years, the Knowledge Summit has showcased Dubai’s role as a global hub for the knowledge industry, underlining the emirate’s great capacity for forecasting and preparing for the future.”

He said the spotlight is being put on the youth in this year’s summit given their influence on the rest of society. Young people make up 65 per cent of the population in the region, he noted, which makes it important to channel their energy towards a region-wide knowledge transformation.

The event will host various discussions covering the knowledge economy based on human capital; the digital economy; the Islamic economy and its role within the knowledge economy. The knowledge economy is defined as the economic system that is rooted in knowledge activities and investments in intellectual capital. business services.

The summit will include the announcement of the Global Knowledge Index’s results. Developed in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Index evaluates knowledge in countries around the world and the Arab region.

It will also feature the awarding ceremony for the fifth edition of the Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Award, which honours individuals and organisations from around the world who have pioneered new forms of knowledge dissemination.