Government officials and experts from countries across the world are gathering in Dubai this week for the World Government Summit 2022 (WGS2022) aimed at addressing some of the most urgent issues and challenges facing humanity at present.

The event will see the participation of state leaders, senior government officials, heads of international organisations, and global experts during more than 110 sessions and 15 global forums to discuss and highlight challenges facing the world and potential solutions to resolve them. At the same time, the sessions will focus on discussing future developments in various sectors and how societies can benefit from them to build a sustainable world for future generations.

Held at Expo 2020 Dubai between March 29-30, the WGS2022 will host more than 4,000 illustrious individuals from 190 countries.

Some of the most prominent leaders participating in the WGS2022 include:

· Wavel Ramkalawan, President of Republic of Seychelles;

· His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan of Brunei Darussalam;

· Philip Mpango, Vice President of Tanzania;

· Faisal Naseem, Vice President of Maldives;

· His Highness Sheikh Sabah al-Khaled al-Hamad al-Sabah, Prime Minister of Kuwait;

· The Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, Prime Minister of Uganda;

· Mohamed Béavogui, Prime Minister of Guinea

· Rt. Hon. Ngirente Edouard, Prime Minister of Rwanda;

· Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister of Kurdistan Region of Iraq;

· Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of the Republic of Antigua and Barbuda

· Philip J. Pierre, Prime Minister of Saint Lucia;

· Supattanapong Punmeechow, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy of Thailand

Several leaders from international organisations will also participate in the sessions, including:

· Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations;

· Matthias Cormann, Secretary-General of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development;

· David Malpass, President of the World Bank Group;

· Catherine Russell, Executive Director, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF);

· William Magwood, Director-General, Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA);

· Salvatore Sciacchitano, President of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO);

· Patricia Reverdy, Executive Secretary, European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC);

· Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the IMF;

· Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization;

· Gilbert F. Houngbo, President, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

· Leaders of regional organisations participating in the sessions include:

· Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the Arab League;

· Dr. Nayef Falah Al-Hajraf, Secretary-General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf.

World-renowned heart surgeon Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub will talk about his scientific and humanitarian achievements during a conversation session at the event.

More than 50 leaders from governments outside the UAE will also take part in various sessions, including:

· H.R.H Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, Minister of Energy The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia;

· H.H. Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty the King of Bahrain for Humanitarian Works and Youth Affairs;

· Makhtar Diop, Managing Director, International Finance Corporation (IFC);

· Frederick Kempe, CEO of the Atlantic Council;

· Belinda Paluku, Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Albania;

· Marcelo Ebrard, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the United Mexican States;

· Sheikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, President of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, Kingdom of Bahrain;

· Jeon Hae Cheol, Minister of the Interior, South Korea;

· Eugene Willemsen, CEO, Africa, Middle East, South Asia, PepsiCo;

· Bob Kolasky, Chair of the OECD Risk Forum;

· Changpeng Zhao, Founder and CEO, Binance;

· Sam Bankman-Fried, CEO, FTX;

· Joel Dietz, Founder and CEO, Metametaverse;

· Dr. Nadine Hashash-Haram, CEO and Founder of Proximie;

· Dr. Nasser Al Hatlan Al Qahtani, General Director, Arab Organization for Administrative Development (ARADO);

· Camilo Alberto Enciso Vanegas, Director, Anticorruption Institute;

· Barbara Ubaldi, Head of Digital Government and Data Unit, OECD;

· Dr. Sama Bilbao y León, Director General, World Nuclear Association;

· Mohammed Khalifa Rahma, Director Air Transport Bureau, ICAO

WGS2022 will be hosting more than 110 sessions and 15 global forums to discuss leading future trends in vital sectors. The event is coinciding with the conclusion of the Expo 2020 Dubai, making it the largest global gathering of its kind. It will be the most important event on the agenda of decision-makers in over 190 countries across the globe.

Speaking about the event, Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of the World Government Summit, underlined that the agenda of the World Government Summit 2022 is to explore the future of opportunities in key sectors. The event is being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

"WSG2022 witnesses high-level international participation, which confirms its established global position as the largest global gathering of its kind in the wake of the COVID 19 pandemic. By coinciding with the conclusion of Expo 2020 Dubai, the most prominent global event in 2021 and 2022, WGS2022 will be a global laboratory for ideas and visions for the future of the world in the post-pandemic era," he added.

This year, the World Government Summit is taking place under the theme 'Shaping Future Governments'. It seeks to consolidate its international position as the main global event to boost the development and applications of innovations and future government models as well as advance inspiring ideas and experiences.

"Its themes and sessions have been carefully selected to keep pace with the most prominent global developments and challenges in an effort to find effective solutions that contribute to achieving a better future for humanity," the minister concluded.

The World Government Summit 2022 is taking place in line with ongoing global efforts to recover from the pandemic repercussions. It is being considered the largest and most important comprehensive global event bringing together world governments, international organisations, entrepreneurs, major companies and the private sector at one platform to discuss future opportunities.

Day 1

This year's WSG edition will feature a comprehensive range of themes and topics through 110 strategic sessions with the participation of leaders of the UAE and other governments.

Mohammed Abdulla Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of the World Government Summit Organization. addressed the first day of the summit. Day one also saw Israel's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yair Lapid exploring the future of governments around the world. Following the session, Professor Klaus Schwab, Founder and Chairman of the World Economic Forum’s Davos, delivered a keynote under the theme: ‘Our World Today: Why Governments Must Act Now’.

Later, Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to the President of the UAE His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Frederick Kempe, CEO of the Atlantic Council; Dr. George Friedman, Founder and Chairman of Geopolitical Futures magazine; and Dr. Pippa Malmgren, economist and former advisor to the President of the United States; participated in a session titled ‘Are we ready for a new world order?’.

Talking about the world energy outlook in the post-oil era, Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government; HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud, Minister of Energy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; and Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazroui, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure in the UAE, spoke during a plenary session entitled ‘Is the World Ready for a World Beyond Oil’?

For climate change, WGS2022 hosted a plenary session entitled ‘Financing the Future of Our Planet’, which saw the participation of His Excellency Makhtar Diop, Managing Director of the International Finance Corporation.

A special main address by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam also graced the event.

A panel session entitled 'What is the Next Destination for Aviation?’ was organised to discuss the future of the aviation sector with the participation of Salvatore Sciacchitano, President of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)l Sir Tim Clark, CEO Emirates Airline; Luis Felipe de Oliveira, Director General of ACI; and The Hon. Sen. Hadi Sirika, Nigeria's Minister of Aviation.

The first day of the summit also included a plenary conversation session with Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the IMF, followed by a session titled ‘The Next Big Merger: Governments and Technology’ by Arvind Krishna, Chairman and CEO, IBM.

The WGS2022 also witnessed a special session on Umm Al Quwain’s Strategy with H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Member of the Supreme Council, Ruler of Umm Al Quwain, UAE.

A unique session titled ‘Redrawing Trade Routes’ was organised to focus on the changes taking place on the world trade map with the address by Sultan Bin Sulayem, Chairman and CEO of DP World.

Another plenary session entitled ‘What is The Future of Arab Alliances in a Fragmented World’ was organised with key discussions by Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the Arab League, and Dr. Nayef Falah Al-Hajraf, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Dawood Abdul Rahman Al-Hajri, Director General, Dubai Municipality delivered a talk on ‘Operating Cities of Tomorrow’, following which Dubai International Award for Best Practices was presented by the UN-Habitat and Dubai Municipality.

Furthermore, ‘A Promising Future: Accelerating Arab Youth’ session was organised with H.H. Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, His Majesty the King’s Representative for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs, Kingdom of Bahrain in participation.

Day one of the summit was concluded with a plenary session entitled ‘Ajman 2030: Local Goals for Global Agenda’ by His Highness Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman and Chairman of the Executive Council, focusing on the emirate's future plans and efforts to achieve sustainable growth.

The first day of WGS2022 organised various sessions and forums to discuss future trends of global governance, boosting sustainability, and managing the future of cities and mobility.

Day 2

The second and final day of WGS 2022 will host key addresses by David Malpass, President, World Bank Group; Mari Pangestu, World Bank Managing Director of Development Policy and Partnerships; and Dr. Muhammad Sulaiman AlJaser, Chairman, Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group.

Later, His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, will address a plenary session titled ‘Comprehensive Industrial Ecosystems: Driving National Growth’.

It will be followed by another plenary session titled ‘Governing Peaceful Energy for Global Prosperity’ which will see the participation of Mariam Almheiri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, William Magwood, Director-General of the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA), and Mohamed Al Hammadi, Chief Executive Officer of the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC).

Later, Dr. Muhammad Sulaiman AlJaser, Chairman, Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, will deliver a main address during a plenary session. Another session will take place between the first female minister in the UAE's history, Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi and the youngest minister in the world, Shamma bint Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Youth Affairs in the UAE.

Moreover, Catherine Russell, Executive Director, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), will address a session on ‘Investing in Children: A Roadmap for Sustainable Futures’.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, will talk about the future after COVID-19 in a session entitled ‘Are we Pandemic-Proof for the Future?’.

Later, Mathias Cormann, Secretary-General, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) will deliver a keynote speech, along with His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Prime Minister of the State of Kuwait.

Addressing a session on ‘Building Cities of the Future’, Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson, Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, UAE, will discuss the future of infrastructure in the world. The main address during the session will be delivered by Jeon Hae-cheol, Minister of Interior and Safety, Korea.

It will be followed by Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), addressing a plenary session entitled ‘Shaping a Green Future’.

A speech from António Guterres, Secretary General, United Nations on the question: ‘Is Our World Today - Our World of Tomorrow?’ has also been organised on Day two of the event.

The final day will also see the annual WGS Awards Ceremony.

To conclude the day two, a special address from Lt. General H.H. Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of UAE has been organised on the topic ‘In the Emirates, the Impossible is Always Possible’.

A number of side sessions will also grace the second day of WGS 2022 as part of key themes including Government Strategy and Dynamics, Futureproofing of Urban Governments, and Empowering Societal Resilience.

Winners of the Best Minister Award will also be announced during the final day of WGS2022. This award is aimed to laud the exceptional work and efforts undertaken by government ministers in the public sector. It will serve to inspire and encourage government leaders to enhance innovation and sustainability in handling present and future global challenges.

Six new forums have been introduced in this year's edition, including the Global Metaverse Forum, the Global Crypto Forum, and the Cybersecurity in Aviation Forum. At the same time, inaugural Investopia Summit, Arab Meeting for Youth Leaders and Arab Government Administration Forum will be organised on the WGS stage for the first time.

Other nine forums include

· Climate Change Forum,

· Global Health Forum,

· Global Energy Forum,

· SDGs in Action,

· Women in Government Forum,

· Government Services Forum,

· Gender Balance Forum,

· Forbes 30 Under 30 Forum,

· TIME 100 Gala,

Moreover, 20 in-depth knowledge reports will be published and commissioned in partnership with key global research institutions. These reports will be addressing important topics related to world issues including economic diversification, knowledge economies, health, education, technology, leadership, sustainable development, environmental challenges, and climate change.

These reports are aimed at strengthening international dialogue on urgent trends and issues as well as informing government planning for the next decade.

SOURCE: WAM

LINK: https://www.wam.ae/en/details/1395303034214