The government of the United Arab Emirates has launched a new phase in its strategic partnership with the World Economic Forum, aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation frameworks and expanding areas of collaboration, including the development of public-private partnerships, organizing Global Future Councils, and enhancing the UAE’s participation in various forum events. This move reflects the deep and longstanding relationship between the two entities.
The extension of the strategic partnership agreement was signed in the presence of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, during an official event organized by both parties as part of the 56th World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
The agreement was signed by His Excellency Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and a member of the World Economic Forum’s leadership council, and Borg Brende, the President and CEO of the World Economic Forum. The signing was also attended by Larry Fink, the Chairman of BlackRock, the temporary co-chair of the World Economic Forum’s board, along with numerous senior officials from both sides.
His Excellency Mohammed Al Gergawi emphasized that the strategic partnership between the UAE government and the World Economic Forum reflects the UAE’s visions and goals under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The aim is to broaden international cooperation and develop partnerships with impactful global organizations to create future opportunities, enabling governments and communities to participate in shaping the future.
He noted that the positive collaborative journey between the UAE government and the World Economic Forum, spanning nearly 25 years, has successfully initiated a broad international movement focused on human-centered goals and future ambitions. Through years of diligent work and positive partnership, they have established innovative directions across vital sectors, driven by a mutual belief in the importance of collaboration among governments, international organizations, and private sector leaders, along with the exchange of knowledge and expertise as a key path to generating positive change.
Borg Brende stated that the partnership between the World Economic Forum and the UAE is built on mutual trust, shared ambition, and a long-term commitment to crafting future-oriented collaboration models. He explained that this agreement enhances the existing collaboration while providing the necessary flexibility for innovation and engagement with new opportunities as they arise, confirming that both parties are working together to establish a global platform that gathers leaders to explore advanced trends and develop future solutions.
The focus of the partnership is to strengthen collaborations between the public and private sectors by broadening bilateral cooperation to address priority societal and economic challenges, develop and implement projects, and explore new opportunities for joint cooperation. This aspect also includes collaborating on the implementation of the global organizational innovation program.
Furthermore, the partnership aims to enhance the role of Fourth Industrial Revolution centers, accelerate the utilization of science and technology, and develop quality initiatives in the area of water sustainability, fostering innovation and sustainable partnerships between the public and private sectors. The agreement also renews the commitment of both sides to organize the Global Future Councils for the next five years, allowing these councils to continue their leading role as an international platform for anticipating and shaping the contours of future sectors, with the participation of a select group of experts and decision-makers from around the world.
The agreement includes enhancing coordination and cooperation involving UAE leaders’ participation in forum events at both regional and global levels, notably the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos and the Annual Meeting of New Champions, along with other events and gatherings designed for ministerial levels.