DUBAI // Technology, innovation and education are among the topics expected to dominate this year’s World Government Summit.
Taking place at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai from Monday until Wednesday, the summit will bring together more than 150 governments, as well as academics and policymakers, to discuss developments and trends.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of and Ruler of Dubai, will hold a conversation with his 10 million followers on social media.
In the conversation, titled “Dialogue of the Future”, Sheikh Mohammed will answer questions about his vision for the future of government, education, health care, cities and other matters.
US president Barack Obama will make a keynote speech at the summit this week by video link.
Analysts said the event was important for helping people to stay abreast of the latest trends.
“Technology and innovation are changing our world rapidly,” said Sabahat Khan, senior analyst at the Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis, a think tank in Dubai.
“The summit is very important to the UAE on two levels. First, as a forum for knowledge sharing, which enables the UAE to stay at the global forefront of innovation and ideas in public services delivery, a key pillar of its development strategy.
“Second, it reinforces the UAE’s position as a leader in promoting governance models and innovation, which can help to create a more prosperous and peaceful world.”
Mr Khan said understanding global trends was crucial for the UAE to exploit emerging technologies and become a centre of innovation.
“But a clear roadmap is needed to address risks, set clear milestones and, crucially, develop mechanisms that draws the private sector into investing in innovation and transformation, together with public sector organisations,” he said.
Abdulkhaleq Abdulla, a professor of political science at UAE University, said the country was leading in technology.
“From all the available data and all the reports we are getting from the forum [World Economic Forum in Davos], the UAE is very advanced when it comes to IT penetration in government, companies, individuals and households,” Prof Abdulla said.
But he said there was room to improve education and innovation in the country.
“Education needs constant improvement. We are not there yet and I think it will be a priority,” Prof Abdulla said.
As the culture of innovation is relatively new in the UAE, the country needed to develop the infrastructure and make a large investment to develop “that pillar of the knowledge economy”, he said.
Prof Abdulla hoped the summit would address these issues.
Dr Albadr Alshateri, a senior adviser and researcher with the Armed Forces, said the role of governments in development and transformation of societies was a key topic for discussion.
“One of the most important topics that came out of the Davos World Economic Forum is the fact that we are on the cusp of a fourth industrial revolution,” Dr Alshateri said.
“What role is there, if any, for governments to face the challenges and seize the opportunities for such a revolution?”
Dr Alshateri said that the international community should look into the rise of terrorist groups.
“Looking to the future, are we seeing the diminishing role of non-state actors? Or will governments become more assertive given those challenges?”
cmalek@thenational.ae
