Dubai – The fifth edition of the World Government Summit (WGS 2017) has begun in Dubai on Sunday and it is the world’s largest platform for shaping future governments with 114 sessions marking the largest participation of its kind since the event was first launched in 2013.
WGS brings together top policy-makers, incubators, enablers and industry experts from around the world and focuses on raising awareness on every country’s need to continually strive, assess and reassess its style of governance and ensure it aligns to critical priorities and humanitarian ideals to guarantee people’s well-being.
With more than 4,000 participants from 139 countries around the world reflecting on the most pressing issues confronting the world, the summit opens new windows of opportunities and promotes out-of-the-box thinking on policy matters.
New this year was the pre-summit — invitation-only — event Museum of the Future on Saturday to explore “happiness” with the help of top speakers.
Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum inaugurated the museum on Friday.
During the inauguration, Maktoum said that The Global Dialogue for Happiness event will bring together top thinkers, decision makers and experts from around the world to start a global discussion on the importance of happiness and well-being, and the imperative role of governments in achieving elevated levels of happiness worldwide.
“The UAE has always put the vision towards facing challenges that affect the society. The Museum of the Future offers visitors the opportunity to explore ideas and best practices that serve to build a future that resonates with our leaders’ directives and vision, and that cements the UAE’s position as a global hub for forecasting and planning for the future,” he noted.
Maktoum reiterated that the museum is an opportunity to share UAE’s vision for the future, and proposed solutions to face climate change, while exploring any and all possible opportunities that may exist.
He added that UAE has led the charge in proactively planning for the future, anticipating the challenges that may arise, and proposing solutions for them.
He noted that the museum will be a permanent fixture in Dubai, exhibiting future inventions and technologies. It is an ideal platform that embodies bold ideas and develop pragmatic solutions, as well an incubator for innovation.
“The Museum of the Future is a global platform where top-tier experts can identify the most prominent scientific and technological trends to come with time. It is a catalyst for future forecasting and study efforts, and plays a pivotal role in setting up policies and strategies that allow the world’s governments to benefit from the technologies of the future and their potential,” he stressed.
The museum will draw attention to three main challenges – water supply, food security and self-sufficient cities. The opening came ahead of the fifth annual WGS to be held in Dubai’s Madinat Jumeirah from 12th to 14th February.
Mohammad Bin Abdullah al-Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and the Future and Chairman of the WGS Organization, noted that the UAE, under the leadership of the President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed al Nahyan, and the directives of Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid al Maktoum, has successfully transformed WGS into a global platform.
“The summit’s experience as an international platform that convenes heads of states, government leaders, ministers, officials, scientists, entrepreneurs and leaders of international organizations who help shape future governments has truly reached an advanced stage that focuses on finding balance between technological advancements and achieving the happiness and welfare of the people,” Gergawi said.
“The event will also study how to utilize the technologies of the fourth industrial revolution and turn them into tools that help advance the lives of more than seven billion people,” he added.