More than 700 thought leaders from academia, business, government and society attended the World Economic Forum which kicked in Dubai on Monday to set priorities for the most compelling ideas to improve the state of the world and identify the latest trends, risks and innovative solutions to address the world’s challenges.
During the three-day Summit, participants will engage in interactive workshops and sessions to discuss emerging trends and global risks that will shape the future. They will also develop ideas to address the world’s challenges.The opening ceremony was attended by Dr Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum (Davos); Sultan Al Mansoori, UAE Minister of Economy; Masood Ahmed, IMF Director for Middle East and Central Asia; and Sami Dhaen Al-Qemzi, Director General of Department of Economic Development in Dubai.
Earlier, Schwab, who is currently visiting the country to attend The third summit on the Global Agenda, hailed the achievements witnessed by the UAE in all fields which are the results of the clear vision of its leadership, pointing out its success in transforming challenges and difficulties into opportunities and achievements.
Sherif El Diwany, Senior Director, Middle East and North Africa, World Economic Forum, said: “The Summit on the Global Agenda will examine, among other agenda issues, the implications of the G20 summit outcomes in Seoul and look into the opportunities and risks that the Cancun summit on climate change may present to the international community. The Summit brings together top minds, thinkers and experts in the world capable of tackling the structural problems which underlined the crisis.”
The general public of Dubai was also invited on Sunday to two Open Forum sessions organised in conjunction with the World Economic Forum’s Summit on the Global Agenda.Panelists unanimously called for “sustainable urbanization”, but were divided on how to achieve it and whether there is a strong business case for sustainability.
“Sustainability is also about economic and social development,” said Fahd Al Rasheed, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Emaar The Economic City, Saudi Arabia. He called on urban planners to “think holistically”.