Maktoum and WEF president highlight strategic partnership

Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the UAE, on Wednesday received Børge Brende, President and Chief Executive Officer of the World Economic Forum (WEF), on the sidelines of the Annual Meetings of the Global Future Councils and Cybersecurity 2025.

The event, organised by the UAE Government in partnership with the World Economic Forum, runs in Dubai from 14th to 16th October.

Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed and Børge Brende discussed the ongoing strategic partnership between the UAE Government and the World Economic Forum, and reviewed the main themes of this year’s Annual Meetings, which focus on artificial intelligence, the green economy, energy transition, and food and water security, among other key future priorities.

Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed was also briefed on the outcomes of the meetings, including the launch of the Cybersecurity Forum, held alongside the Annual Meetings to strengthen global coordination in addressing digital challenges and ensuring secure and sustainable digital systems.

Sheikh Maktoum reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to driving constructive global dialogue and fostering collaboration between governments and international organisations to develop practical solutions to global challenges that enhance quality of life and advance sustainable development.

Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed also commended the Global Future Councils for their vital role in promoting international cooperation and providing a platform for knowledge exchange to shape a better future for societies.

The meeting was attended by Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Co-Chair of the Global Future Councils, and Member of the WEF Leadership Council; Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs; Ohood Al Roumi, Minister of State for Government Development and the Future; and Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation.

Børge Brende praised the UAE’s leadership and its strong partnership with the World Economic Forum, highlighting the nation’s commitment to hosting the Global Future Councils annually with renewed vision and purpose, setting a model for building a more sustainable and prosperous future centred on human wellbeing.

The 2025 edition brings together over 700 experts from 580 organisations across 93 countries. The event features 37 councils in total, covering six main topics: Technology, Economy, Society, Environment, Governance, and Health. Experts will focus on advancing global efforts to design a sustainable future, enhance the quality of life for communities, and create opportunities for future generations.

Participants include global business leaders, academics, and policymakers who will explore the future of key sectors and share insights that will inform the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos.

For the first time, the Annual Meeting of the Cybersecurity Council is being held alongside the Global Future Councils, with over 150 senior leaders and 90 global speakers participating to advance international cooperation and align global cybersecurity strategies.

UAE global model for future foresight: Børge Brende, President and Chief Executive Officer of the World Economic Forum (WEF), said that Annual Meetings of the Global Future Councils and Cybersecurity 2025 in Dubai, bringing together more than 800 experts from around the globe, underscore the UAE’s leading role as a global hub for future foresight and for shaping solutions to international challenges.

In statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Brende said that the meetings, which have been held in Dubai for over 16 years, have helped guide numerous major decisions on both regional and global levels. They do so by uniting experts and decision-makers to explore how emerging technologies can serve humanity and to strengthen international cooperation in addressing future challenges such as pandemics and cybersecurity threats.

He noted that the world is currently navigating one of the most complex geopolitical periods in decades, yet there are promising signs, particularly in the Gulf region, where countries like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar are witnessing rapid economic growth and significant structural reforms, setting a benchmark for progress in the region.

Brende emphasised that cybersecurity is a central theme in this year’s discussions, especially given the global losses exceeding US$5 trillion annually due to cybercrime. He called for stronger cooperation among governments to combat this growing threat and to establish joint mechanisms to safeguard the global economy.

He concluded that this global intellectual gathering in Dubai continues to reinforce the UAE’s position as an international centre for constructive dialogue and knowledge exchange, paving the way for a more secure and sustainable future for humanity.

Meanwhile, The Ministry of Investment and the Department of Industry of Canada have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore opportunities for collaboration in the digital infrastructure sector, with a focus on developing data centres and artificial intelligence (AI) projects.

WAM