Another UAE initiative, ‘shaping future governments’

Dubai’s landmark event, the annual World Government Summit, has become so big that more and more countries are keen on taking part in the summit. This year, the fourth edition, will see 3,000 people from 125 countries take part, including heads of state, top dignitaries, leaders and experts from government and private sectors across the world.

Held under the theme ‘Shaping Future Governments’, the summit is meant to anticipate and address future challenges in eight vital sectors: education, health care, government action, science, innovation and technology, economy, labour market and human capital management, development and sustainability and the cities of the future.

The UAE has in little more than 40 years become a shining example of successful planning for the future. In the current turbulence in the oil market, the UAE is the least affected by the oil slump among oil producers because 70 per cent of its GDP comes from non-oil sources. This is the result of years of planning on various government levels.

Today, the UAE is planning to make oil’s share 0 per cent in its GDP. Both His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, have promised that we will be celebrating when “we ship out the last barrel of oil” because the UAE will then be free from oil-dependency.

Such forward thinking is what the UAE is trying to transfer to other countries, especially those less fortunate.

Another remarkable event that takes place at this year’s summit is an open conversation that Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid will have with his 10 million followers on social media platforms. The exchange, which has been called ‘Dialogue of the Future’, will see the Vice-President answer questions on his vision for the future of governments, education, health, cities and other vital sectors.

This is Shaikh Mohammad’s typical way of reaching out to the public not only to explain his vision and plans but also exchange views and ideas with citizens, residents and even people from around the globe.

He has been doing this for years — the latest was asking people and universities to nominate a young man or woman, under 25 years old, to become member of the federal cabinet.