Watch: Sheikha Latifa presents ‘unique model’ of Dubai at World Economic Forum in Davos

Dubai: At the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), highlighted Dubai’s unique identity as a global hub of inclusivity and innovation. She underscored the emirate’s commitment to celebrating diverse cultures while fostering public-private partnerships and advancing technological innovation.

She highlighted the unique social tapestry of the UAE, specifically in Dubai, where 180 nationalities coexist harmoniously, each celebrating its own identity and contributing to Dubai’s distinct character.

“It’s a different model than anywhere else in the world, because they don’t have to integrate within the culture of the UAE to coexist with the people, but are respected for retaining their own cultural identity, their own cultural practice, and celebrated it,” she said.

She noted that Dubai honours cultural diversity by celebrating festivals such as Diwali and Christmas, alongside the UAE’s national and cultural events.

“We have a lot of different cultural celebrations that we share with them in Dubai from all over the world. We celebrate Diwali, we celebrate Christmas, we celebrate our national events and cultural celebrations as well. And I think this really contributes to the identity of how Dubai operates and presents a very unique way of doing things.”

She was speaking at a session titled “Mass Events: Massive Gains” during the 55th Annual Meeting of the WEF. The UAE is taking part in the 55th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, held from January 20 to 24, with a high-level delegation led by Sheikha Latifa. The delegation comprises more than 100 distinguished representatives, including private sector leaders, business executives, and government officials, reflecting the UAE’s active and impactful engagement in this influential global gathering.

The UAE government released highlights of Sheikha Latifa’s speech on X.

While highlighting Dubai’s strategic positioning as a global cultural hub, she said this vision is driven by a core principle at the heart of the UAE and Dubai governments: prioritising the happiness and well-being of its people and creating a better quality of life. This focus shapes every strategy and informs the

development of platforms that allow the creative industry to thrive.

She further explained that when formulating strategies, Dubai chooses to re-evaluate industry needs and what people truly require, particularly within the creative sector, rather than simply benchmarking against existing best practices.

Sheikha Latifa also shared two key examples of Dubai’s forward-thinking approach. First, she highlighted the strong collaboration between the public and private sectors, a principle championed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. “In every meeting I’ve been in with His Highness, he has emphasised the importance of working with the private sector,” she said.

Secondly, she pointed to the success of Expo 2020 Dubai, which demonstrated the government’s ability to move as quickly, if not faster, than the private sector. She explained that the government’s significant investments in infrastructure, digital industries, AI, and new technologies have earned the trust of private enterprises, leading to private sector execution of numerous cultural and creative initiatives.

The session convened a distinguished group of global figures, including business leaders and policymakers, providing a dynamic platform to exchange insights on leveraging the experience economy as a catalyst for inclusive and sustainable progress.

Addressing audience questions regarding security at mass events, Sheikha Latifa elaborated on Dubai’s approach, referencing Expo 2020, which hosted numerous heads of state. She emphasised the importance of striking a balance between rigorous security and ensuring attendees feel safe and free.

This balance, she explained, is achieved through meticulous planning, local and international collaboration, foresight, and robust crisis management strategies. Answering a question about the digital versus experience economy, Sheikha Latifa acknowledged the imperative of integrating digital strategies into physical events for enhanced accessibility and inclusivity, a lesson underscored by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The session brought together an esteemed panel of global leaders and experts who shared profound insights into the creative economy’s transformative potential. The panel included Sir Martin Sorrell, CEO of S4Capital; Patrice Louvet, CEO of Ralph Lauren; and Anna Marks, Chair of the Board of Deloitte Global.

The session delved into the transformative role of arts and culture, demonstrating how these elements can transcend their traditional roles as entertainment mediums to become vital drivers of economic growth and societal progress.

Panellists explored the potential of large-scale events to act as catalysts for economic growth, infrastructure enhancement, and community resilience.

The session underscored Dubai’s exemplary model of achieving a harmonious balance between economic development and sustainability. Participants highlighted that Dubai’s remarkable experience, under the visionary leadership of Sheikh Mohammed, offers globally inspiring lessons on seamlessly integrating innovation and leadership to drive comprehensive and inclusive development.

As a premier international platform, the World Economic Forum fosters collaboration across all key development sectors, with a particular focus on advancing economic progress. The UAE’s participation underscores its commitment to shaping global dialogues and forging partnerships that promote sustainable growth and prosperity for all.

--With inputs from WAM