Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) hosted Toomas Hendrik Ilves, former president of Estonia, who came on a private visit to learn about the foundation’s prominent initiatives and projects.

Abdulaziz AlJaziri, Deputy CEO and COO of Dubai Future Foundation, briefed Ilves about future-focused initiatives such as AREA 2071, Dubai Future Labs, Dubai Future Accelerators, and the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution UAE, which is run in partnership with the World Economic Forum.

These initiatives have deployed advanced technology such as robotics, blockchain, artificial intelligence and 3D printing, complementing Dubai and the UAE’s strategies for the future.

During the meeting, Abdulaziz AlJaziri stressed that the Dubai Future Foundation is keen to exchange expertise and competencies and strengthen partnerships and cooperation with thought leaders and decision-makers to raise awareness on major challenges and rapid transformations the world is witnessing in various fields.

In a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Patrick Noack, Executive Director of Future Foresight and Imagination at Dubai Future Foundation, Ilves underscored the role of digital technology in developing government services, as well as improving living conditions. He highlighted the need to focus on the development of digital infrastructure that supports the growth of strategic sectors.

The session was attended by government officials, specialists and technology enthusiasts.

In his speech, Ilves emphasised the importance of exchanging digital expertise and successful case-studies between governments around the world to accelerate the digitisation process.

He pointed out the importance of developing legislations and regulations for various government and economic sectors such as medicine, education and health care in order to keep pace with the rapid growth of technology.

Toomas Hendrik Ilves, who served as President of Estonia from 2006-2016, is considered one of the world’s leading figures in the field of digital transformation.

He achieved great success in adopting advanced technology in the government sector and digitizing services. He played a major role in positioning Estonia as the world leader in adoption and implementation of technology across sectors and development of digital infrastructure.

Meanwhile earlier the Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FCCI) has reviewed the prospects of consolidating ties with the Republic of Estonia on the basis of promoting common interests.

This came as Abdullah Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Chairman of both the Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce & Industry and Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, received the former President of the Republic of Estonia, Toomas Hendrik, and his accompanying delegation.

The meeting, which was held at the FCCI HQ in Dubai, discussed ways of fostering cooperation in the areas where Estonia boasts a commercial and industrial edge, notably electronic services and digitalisation, as well as cyber security.

Al Mazrouei underlined the need to grow cooperation between the Emirati and Estonian private sectors by taking advantage of the opportunities up for grabs for both sides.

He expressed the readiness of the FCCI to harness all their available resources and capabilities in order to strengthen the relationship between the private sectors in both countries.

Abdullah Mohammed Al Mazrouei recently received Dr Mudaffar Mustafa Al Jubouri, Ambassador of Iraq to the UAE, and discussed ways to boost economic relations between the UAE and Iraq. During a visit to Abu Dhabi Chamber, the Iraqi Ambassador expressed his country’s interest in boosting economic cooperation with the UAE.

Both sides discussed a proposal to form an Emirati-Iraqi business council in cooperation with the Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UAE Chambers).

The Iraqi Ambassador gave a brief summary on the attractive foreign investment law in Iraq, calling on Emirati businessmen, entrepreneurs, and investors to invest in Iraq’s different economic sectors.

For his part, Al Mazrouei highlighted the readiness of the Abu Dhabi Chamber to promote joint economic cooperation with Iraq.

Mohamed Helal Al Mheiri, Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Chamber, attended the meeting. Dubai Future Foundation is to inspire and design Dubai’s future in collaboration with the public and private sector partners. Their aim is to make Dubai one of the world’s foremost future cities.

The Dubai Future Foundation continues to work to achieve its vision and goals with a focus on five Strategic Business Units.