Organizing meetings of the Global Future Councils for the next 5 years in Dubai

At the conclusion of the forum, the UAE government and the World Economic Forum launched a new phase of their strategic knowledge partnership, by signing a memorandum of understanding to organize the annual meetings of the Global Future Councils in Dubai, during the next five years, in a step that reflects the commitment to strengthening cooperation in shaping future directions, supporting global efforts to confront economic and social challenges, and enabling governments to build more flexible and ready development models.

The signing took place in the presence of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairwoman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Member of the World Economic Forum’s Leadership Council, Borg Brende, CEO of the Forum, Chairman of the Board of Directors of BlackRock, and Interim Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors of the World Economic Forum, Larry Fink.

The memorandum of understanding was signed by Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister of State for Government Development and the Future, and Maroun Kayrouz, Executive Director of the Forum.

The global future councils, whose outcomes constitute essential topics in the official agenda of the annual meetings of the Davos Forum, are one of the basic pillars of the strategic knowledge partnership between the UAE government and the forum, as the two sides build on a successful story of cooperation extending for more than 16 years, during which 900 global councils were organized, covering the topics most closely related to human life and its future.

Al Gergawi stressed that the partnership with the Forum embodies the vision of the UAE, under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, and the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him, in building effective and constructive global partnerships based on action, creating a positive impact, and promoting comprehensive and sustainable development.

He said that the UAE is an active partner in shaping the global future agenda through specific projects and joint initiatives with a sustainable impact, noting that the UAE government believes that international cooperation is an essential tool for shaping the future, and that working with the World Economic Forum opens new horizons for developing policies and accelerating government innovation at the global level.

He added that the Global Future Councils represent an advanced model of cooperation, partnership and collective action platforms that bring together minds and expertise from various sectors, enhance the capabilities of governments to transform challenges into development opportunities, and consolidate the position and role of the UAE as a global center for designing future solutions that serve people and raise the quality of life of societies.

It is noteworthy that the UAE government and the World Economic Forum have developed over the past years a sustainable global strategic partnership, with the aim of enhancing the exploration of future opportunities, consolidating integration and cooperation in supporting global efforts to achieve common goals, and developing comprehensive future plans and strategies.

Areas of cooperation include various partnerships, initiatives and programmes, to support the UAE’s national strategies and achieve future visions, in addition to supporting the achievement of the forum’s objectives, by harnessing innovation, technology, artificial intelligence, and the tools and solutions of the Fourth Industrial Revolution in vital fields.

The outputs of the Global Future Councils represent essential topics in the official agenda of the annual meetings of the World Economic Forum (Davos), and a reference for governments and decision makers to develop practical visions and strategies that contribute to building a more sustainable and innovative future for future generations. They also contribute to directing the global dialogue on future policies and development priorities, thus enhancing the readiness of governments and societies to deal with the upcoming transformations.

Muhammad Al-Gergawi:

• Global Future Councils represent an advanced model of cooperation, partnership, and collective work platforms that bring together minds and expertise from various sectors.