Dubai: A stellar line-up of global luminaries arrive in Dubai this weekend to take part in the sixth edition of the World Government Summit 2018 starting Sunday.
A full day of pre-summit sessions will start on Saturday in Dubai.
More than 120 sessions from February 11-13 will focus on the summit theme “Shaping Future Governments”.
Up to 4,000 delegates are expected to attend the event including heads of governments and representatives of 16 international organisations.
“The World Government Summit is a global platform dedicated to shaping the future of governments worldwide, a knowledge centre at the intersection between government, futurism, and technology,” said the organisers in a statement.
Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and the Future, Chairman of the World Government Summit, said the event “has become a permanent knowledge platform available to all governments and their activities throughout the year.”
He noted that through “the World Government Summit, we seek to create new models of international cooperation.”
The summit includes six global forums that will focus on unifying efforts to create a better future and a safe world that is blessed with peace, prosperity, and sustainability.
India has been named guest country at this year’s event, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver the inaugural speech of the guest country on day one.
A special delegation from the subcontinent will then showcase the country’s developmental experience in a special section titled ‘From India to The World’, which features streams on technology and innovation and India’s service sector. These special sessions will highlight innovation in vital sectors including healthcare, medicine and education.
French Prime Minister Edouard Phillipe will also address delegates in a keynote speech on opening day.
Highlights include the session Smart Trade, Transport and Logistics Solutions, which will bring together DP World Group Chairman and CEO Sultan Bin Sulayem with Amitabh Kant, CEO of Make in India, to discuss economic development and infrastructure investment.
Jim Yong Kim, the 12th president of the World Bank, will give the main address on day two of the event. Professor Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum and author of the 2016 book, ‘The Fourth Industrial Revolution’, has the honour of presenting an opening address on day one titled ‘Key Global Challenges in 2018’.
Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), will speak, as will World Trade Organisation Director-General Roberto Azevedo.
Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of Unesco (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) will deliver the main address, while Dr Tedros Adhanom, Director-General of the World Health Organisation, will present his main address on ‘Dynamic Healthcare for an Evolving World’.
Angel Gurria, Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) will feature in a one-on-one on Sunday.
Oscar-winning actors Robert DeNiro and Forest Whitaker will attend the summit to tackle Climate Change, with DeNiro discussing issues close to his heart in the Caribbean, and ‘Last King of Scotland’ star Whitaker involved in a discussion on Women and Youth — the Catalyst to Solve Global Challenges.
Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Interior, will deliver a keynote speech on day one titled ‘Land of Inspiration and Opportunities’, while Abdulla Bin Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, will talk on ‘Towards an Education Ecosystem that Secures Future Jobs’ on day two of the Summit.
Chairperson of the International Humanitarian City, Princess Haya Bint Al Hussain, wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Prime Minister and Vice-President and Ruler of Dubai, will give a keynote speech.
The Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Dubai Executive Council, Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, will launch the new edition of Dubai 10X, an initiative announced at last year’s event to implement the vision of Dubai as a city of the future.
Four global awards have also been organised to coincide with the sixth edition of the World Government Summit. The winners of the GovTech Prize, Best Minister Award, Edge of Government Innovation Award and Global Universities Challenge Award will all be announced at the event.
