Dubai launches Centre for Global Future Opportunities in landmark partnership with World Economic Forum
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed witnesses the establishment of a transformative initiative to convert emerging opportunities across technology, economics and society into tangible global outcomes
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Dubai Future Foundation, has witnessed the signing of an agreement establishing the Centre for Global Future Opportunities in Dubai. The initiative, unveiled during the Annual Meeting of Global Future Leaders, represents a collaborative endeavour between the Dubai Future Foundation and the World Economic Forum.
The Centre, to be overseen by the Dubai Future Foundation, embodies an ambitious mission to transform promising prospects across technological, economic and societal domains into substantive policies, recommendations, pilot projects and real-world outcomes that resonate across communities worldwide.
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan articulated the vision underlying this initiative, emphasising Dubai’s established position as a global centre for converting future possibilities into tangible achievements that enhance lives and communities. He underscored the commitment to forge effective partnerships that enable the shaping of a future aligned with global aspirations, one that harmonises technological advancement with human-centred development and societal progress.
The Centre will establish practical pathways to translate identified opportunities into actionable initiatives, whilst identifying the enablers of progress and addressing implementation obstacles. Through multidisciplinary laboratories, it will develop and test socioeconomic solutions in collaboration with technology companies, academic institutions, international organisations and universities. Beyond advancing ideas emerging from the Annual Meeting of Global Future Leaders, the Centre will champion innovation, research and development across the UAE and internationally.
The initiative will cultivate global dialogue and collaboration, assembling companies, institutions, international organisations and communities to investigate emerging opportunities and establish novel initiatives and partnerships. Via an international network of government partners, investment institutions, technology enterprises and research centres, the platform will afford innovators, entrepreneurs and future leaders the opportunity to develop and scale their concepts from the UAE to worldwide markets.
Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Dubai Future Foundation, reaffirmed the UAE Government’s longstanding and fruitful partnership with the World Economic Forum, which has delivered substantial achievements and transformative initiatives. He positioned today’s launch as reflecting a collective commitment to identifying future opportunities, generating positive global impact and cultivating new models that foster economic growth whilst accommodating rapid technological transformation.
Alois Zwinggi, President and Chief Executive Officer of the World Economic Forum, highlighted how the Centre will contribute a distinctive dimension to the WEF’s global network of Centres for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. By connecting regional and global expertise, it will identify emerging possibilities and translate innovative concepts into pragmatic responses to contemporary challenges.
This development represents a significant progression in the enduring partnership between the UAE Government and the World Economic Forum, building upon the success of the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution UAE, established in 2019 to facilitate the adoption and development of transformative technologies across the region and beyond.
Source: WAM