UAE Targets Top 10 Spot In Global Talent Attraction By 2031, Reveals Minister At IGCF

The UAE aims to rank among the top 10 countries globally for talent attraction and retention within seven years, currently holding the 22nd position. Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade and Minister in charge of Talent Attraction and Retention, shared this goal at the International Government Communication Forum (IGCF) 2024. The forum, themed ‘Agile Governments.. Innovative Communication,’ is taking place on September 4-5, 2024, at Expo Centre Sharjah.

Dr Al Zeyoudi highlighted the UAE's efforts over the past three years to establish specialist committees for talent attraction. He also mentioned changes in visa and immigration systems as key factors. The stability, security, and safety provided by the UAE further enhance its appeal to potential residents. "The UAE is using education as a tool to attract talent at an early age," he noted, referencing how countries like Australia and Denmark attract students interested in specialty subjects.

Simon Robert Kofe, Tuvalu’s Minister of Transport, Energy, Communications and Innovation, emphasised his country's unique approach. Despite being the world's fourth smallest island with a population of just 10,000 people, Tuvalu aims to continue existing digitally even if climate change submerges it. Kofe promoted the concept of a "digital nomad" lifestyle where individuals can live in one part of the world while working remotely from another.

Dr Al Zeyoudi acknowledged the challenge of engaging Generation Z. "Communicating with an Internet-oriented Generation Z, convincing them to work with you or sustaining their interest for long is the challenge," he said. This generation's inclination towards making money easily through the Internet poses a risk to traditional learning values.

Rachid Yazami, a Moroccan engineer based in Singapore known for his pioneering work on batteries, stressed the importance of government policies in attracting international talent. He praised the UAE’s stability and expressed hope that a Nobel Prize might soon come from the Emirates. Yazami also highlighted that education shapes minds and instils values essential for young people.

Global Competitiveness

The session at IGCF was hosted in partnership with Forbes Middle East and moderated by its Editor-in-Chief Khuloud Al Omian. Other panellists included Simon Robert Kofe from Tuvalu and Rachid Yazami. They agreed that attracting and retaining talent is crucial for economic development. Western countries and Asian powerhouses like Singapore were acknowledged for their progress in this area.

Yazami pointed out that there is a strong correlation between education and economic success. He cited examples from Scandinavian countries as well as Japan and South Korea to support his argument. "Education is vital in shaping minds," he said, adding that without curiosity to learn about history, arts, music, there cannot be a sense of belonging to humanity.

Values as an Attraction

Kofe noted that Tuvalu promotes its values rather than competing economically. He believes that every country should stand by its values as this can significantly attract talent. "We recognise our limitations but we are innovative," he stated. The interconnected nature of today’s world allows Tuvalu to invite talent despite its geographical challenges.

The panellists concluded that standing by national values can be a significant draw in attracting global talent. They emphasised that promoting these values could help nations compete more effectively on the global stage.

With inputs from WAM