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World Economic Forum Summit starts in Dubai

DUBAI — The UAE hosts the World Economic Forum Summit on the Global Agenda for the third consecutive year in Dubai.

It was announced on Saturday by Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, UAE Minister of Economy and Co-Chair of the Summit. It will take place from November 29 to December 1.

“The Summit …. is of critical relevance, especially as governments across the world today are at a crossroads in addressing various challenges, following the global financial slowdown,” Al Mansouri told reporters at a news conference.

By hosting the Summit the UAE is demonstrating its commitment to encouraging problem-solving on a global scale, he said, adding: “The UAE is also an active participant in the discussions as thirty members from the UAE serve in various councils focused on specific global concerns.”

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.

“In today’s globalized world, joint discussions and collaborative brainstorming sessions are the way forward to bring about concrete action and tangible results,” Al Mansouri said.

The Summit will bring together over 600 members of the Network of Global Agenda Councils, comprising global experts from 60 countries – thought leaders from academia, business, government and civil society – to address some of the most pressing issues on the global, regional and industry agendas.

Together they represent over 72 councils, each focusing on an issue such as climate change, education, energy security, China, innovation, and logistics & transport.

The co-chairs of the Summit are Al Mansouri and Sami Dhaen Al Qamzi, Director-General, Department of Economic Development of the Government of Dubai.

“The Summit will make Dubai the launch-pad for new ideas and strategies that will help achieve concrete and equitable progress for humanity. The successful conduct of the Summit will also put the spotlight on Dubai and the UAE, and on our national accomplishments in achieving all-round progress and socio-economic welfare,” Al Qamzi said.

“Dubai looks forward to welcoming the global thought leaders who will contribute to redesigning the international system for the 21^st century, and also to greeting members of the public at the first-ever Open Forum being hosted on the sidelines of the Summit,” he said.

For the first time ever, this year’s Summit will also host the Open Forum series, led by the global agenda council members and thought-leaders from around the world.

“The third Summit on the Global Agenda in Dubai is being held at a pivotal moment as we move away from short-term responses to the crisis to discussions on the long-term solutions in the post-crisis world,” said Sherif El Diwany, Senior Director, Middle East and North Africa, World Economic Forum.

“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,” El Diwany said.

abdulbasit@khaleejtimes.com