Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum gestures during the event.

Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Dubai Future Foundation, said the metaverse will shape a new digital future for humanity. He was speaking on the first day of the inaugural Dubai Metaverse Assembly, organised by the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF).

Over 500 global experts and policymakers, and more than 40 leading local and global organisations specialised in metaverse and digital technologies, are participating in the two-day event. Over 20,000 attended the first day of the event using both virtual platforms and metaverse technologies.

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Sheikh Hamdan said: "Dubai is emerging as a major contributor to shaping a new global vision for advanced technology and a pioneer in adopting next-generation digital innovation.”

"We are constantly working to foster the development of technological tools and applications to raise the community’s quality of life. In the coming years, the metaverse will shape a new digital future for humanity and Dubai will consolidate its status as a testbed for innovation in this emerging technology,” Sheikh Hamdan added.

Sheikh Hamdan inaugurates the Dubai Metaverse Assembly, organised by the Dubai Future Foundation.

Sheikh Hamdan stressed that Dubai will always welcome innovators and experts to explore and design the future of the metaverse and explore its potential.

"Through the Dubai Metaverse Assembly, we aim to provide a global platform for the metaverse community to discuss new opportunities emerging from this new technology and promote knowledge-sharing and partnerships between entrepreneurs and innovators. We also look forward to discussing how the metaverse can generate solutions for some of the world’s most critical challenges,” Sheikh Hamdan said.

Sheikh Hamdan further said Dubai seeks to be a hub for the global metaverse community, a goal that it will achieve by working closely with its partners and the world’s best experts in the field. "Dubai's advanced digital infrastructure positions it as a strategic partner for the development of the metaverse, artificial intelligence and other technologies,” Sheikh Hamdan said.

During the event, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed met with top officials from around the globe and visited activations installed by the event’s partners to showcase real experiences from the metaverse.

Dubai Metaverse Strategy

Sheikh Hamdan attended a keynote speech delivered by His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama, UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications.

Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum attends the event.

During his speech, His Excellency Omar Al Olama outlined the goals of the Dubai Metaverse Strategy and key initiatives to strengthen Dubai’s position in the digital sector.

"Dubai has firmly established its position as a global hub for travel, trade and investment by continually embracing new industries and innovations to diversify its economy. Over the next 50 years, we will work to turn challenges into opportunities and build a digital, knowledge-driven economy. With world-class infrastructure, talent and bold leadership, Dubai can become the beating heart of the metaverse economy and an epicenter for its growing community,” said His Excellency.

The Dubai Metaverse Assembly will host over 25 high-level sessions and workshops at the Museum of the Future and AREA 2071, DFF’s innovation ecosystem, located at the Emirates Towers, Dubai.

The Assembly is the first event resulting from the implementation of the Dubai Metaverse Strategy approved by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum in July. The strategy aims to add USD 4 billion to Dubai’s GDP, support 40,000 virtual jobs by 2030, attract 1,000 companies specialised in blockchain and metaverse technologies and turn Dubai into one of the world's top 10 metaverse economies.