UAE’s Role As A Global Hub For Partnerships Highlighted At AMGFC24 Meeting

The UAE Government and the World Economic Forum (WEF) recently wrapped up the Annual Meeting of the Global Future Councils 2024 (AMGFC24) in Dubai. Held from 15th to 17th October, this event attracted 700 influential individuals, including senior government officials, decision-makers, futurists, and experts from 80 countries. Participants convened across 30 councils to discuss pressing global issues.

Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Co-Chair of the Global Future Councils, emphasised the UAE's role as a hub for international collaboration. He stated, "The UAE has established itself as a platform for international partnerships and a global hub for shaping the future. Our leadership has created a model for shaping the future that it has shared with the world."

Al Gergawi further highlighted that designing the future requires open global platforms rather than isolationist policies. "The field of designing the future is not a place for isolationist policies, but rather an open global platform for sharing knowledge. This is the focus of the UAE's vision and the philosophy of its leadership, which centres on international partnerships," he said.

The meeting aimed to build a shared understanding of how macro trends affect various sectors and societies. It sought consensus on addressing these trends effectively. Discussions centred on creating a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future by enhancing economic development and human capacity.

AMGFC24 explored opportunities in five key areas: technology and artificial intelligence (AI), environment and climate, governance, economy and finance, and society. The sessions addressed challenges like AI's impact on jobs, antimicrobial resistance, cybersecurity, food security, geopolitics, responsible investment, space exploration, sustainable tourism, clean air initiatives, energy transition, synthetic biology advancements, urban development concepts, governance models, humanitarian efforts, quantum economy prospects, advanced manufacturing techniques and job creation strategies.

A significant takeaway was preparing the workforce for an AI-driven era. Delegates agreed that governments must establish clear AI standards to maximise benefits while mitigating risks. This preparation is crucial as AI will influence every job sector.

Future Implications

The outcomes from AMGFC24 will be compiled into a report influencing the agenda for the 2025 WEF Annual Meeting in Davos. This report will guide policymakers and businesses in adapting to technological advancements like AI while ensuring sustainable growth.

Since its inception in 2008, Global Future Councils have engaged over 12,000 participants from 100 countries through more than 900 councils. These councils serve as a leading network for exchanging ideas and crafting solutions to global challenges.

Al Gergawi expressed optimism about ongoing cooperation between the UAE Government and WEF. He remarked on their two-decade-long partnership as a model for collaboration and foresight: "We are witnessing the impact of the cooperation between the UAE Government and the World Economic Forum... We look forward to reporting more achievements from this ongoing cooperation."

With inputs from WAM