The World Summit of Governments, held in the UAE, aims to boost international cooperation
The World Summit of Governments kicks off in the United Arab Emirates, an event that aims to analyse current global challenges and propose solutions. According to Jassim Al-Budaiwi, secretary general of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, this event comes at a time when the world is facing "many political, economic and social problems", in addition to issues related to climate, food, water and energy security.
- Gulf countries moving towards greater development and prosperity
- Emirates strengthens its position on the international stage
As he told Emirates news agency WAM, many of these new challenges cannot be solved by traditional methods, so the role of technology and artificial intelligence is "increasing" within the economy and public bodies and institutions.
Al-Budaiwi sees this summit as "a great and favourable opportunity", as well as a platform to exchange ideas, stimulate innovation and enhance cooperation and joint work between governments, civil society and the private sector in order to solve global problems and challenges in various fields.
"If we look at the pillars on which the current edition of the World Summit of Governments focuses, we see that the main urgent axes include improving the pace of growth, artificial intelligence, new horizons for the future, a new vision of development, the economies of the future, the future of education and the aspirations of societies," he says.
Other themes include sustainability, new global transformations, as well as urbanisation and global health priorities. Despite the large number of issues to be addressed, Al-Budaiwi is "optimistic" that the summit will create an "open dialogue". It will also "set a new bar for the global community's expectations and aspirations for government performance and establish a new model for government transparency".
Gulf countries moving towards greater development and prosperity
During his interview with WAM on the occasion of this summit, the secretary general of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf praised the efforts of the United Arab Emirates, under the leadership of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the country's president, to strengthen cooperative ties among the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council and to move towards greater development and prosperity.
All this, in a manner that consolidates the position of the economies of the GCC countries, enhancing their global competitiveness and supporting economic diversification plans as well as the prosperity of their peoples in a meaningful and sustainable manner.
In this regard, Al-Budaiwi stressed that huge opportunities await powers that possess elements of economic power, such as financial resources, oil reserves and a significant geographical location. The GCC countries are therefore among "the most prominent in these blocs", especially because their geographical location is between the East and the West.
They will also benefit because they pursue balanced policies with the various powers in the international arena and invest their resources in supporting sustainable development and achieving political, security and economic stability and social prosperity.
On the other hand, they enhance their capabilities to cope with current and future changes that may affect the movement of the global economy and supply chains.
Emirates strengthens its position on the international stage
In particular, Al-Budaiwi highlighted the growing role of Emirates through its interaction with many regional and global archives, considering the example of Abu Dhabi as a model to be followed at regional and international level. Al-Bududaiwi described the country as "an influential force that plays a recognised constructive role on the international stage, and an active and influential party in many international affairs".
Proof of this influence is its mediation efforts in the Russia-Ukraine war. These efforts resulted in a prisoner exchange that strengthens Abu Dhabi's position on the international stage.
"The UAE is a supportive partner for all countries and international organisations," says Al-Budaiwi, who sees Abu Dhabi as a key ally in addressing growing global challenges and supporting efforts to promote peace, stability and development.
According to the secretary general of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, Abu Dhabi's growing role emerged "clearly" during the crises the world has witnessed recently, including the coronavirus pandemic, a global health emergency during which Emirates played an active role in providing all kinds of support and assistance to countries that have borne the brunt of the pandemic.