UAE- US President Barack Obama to Address Leaders at World Government Summit at Inaugural Session First Add

DUBAI 5th February 2016 (WAM)--xxxx. Philosophy. Al Gergawi pointed out that the Vice President had directed the summit to be stepped up to a new level exploring the future across significant sectors and attempting to answer tomorrow's questions today while generating knowledge to enhance the readiness of governments to face the challenges of the future in the short medium and long terms.

He noted that this will constitute a key developmental and cognitive contribution by the UAE to the world and a platform working throughout the year to improve the services from which nearly seven billion people can benefit.

Al Gergawi explained that the UAE's hosting of this global summit reflects its prominent position in the international arena and its influential role in vital community areas as part of its mandate to improve people's standards of living through the promotion of sustainable development in the world.

The minister added that the World Government Summit has now become an international organisation with global goals working throughout the year publishing future-focused research and studies launching development indicators as well as collaborating and sharing insights with partners from around the world on the best practices to ensure the advancement of the world and prepare it for the future.

Moreover the minister mentioned 10 key changes in the summit structure this year including: transforming the summit to an international organization answering future questions today providing studies all year round having concerted discussions providing an electronic knowledge platform offering mechanisms to build connections launching the 'Edge of Government' exhibition introducing a yearly guest of honor and introducing the 'Best Minister in the World' award.

The first day will feature six panel discussions. In the first session entitled 'When the World Spoke Arabic: The Forgotten Scientific Heritage of the Arab Civilisation' Physics Professor Jim Al-khalili Lecturer at the University of Surrey will discuss the contribution of the Arab civilization and the challenges facing the leaders of the Arab world today in providing opportunities and adequate conditions to motivate the youth to innovate and occupy advanced positions in the civilization of the future.

In the second panel discussion Dr. Neil Degrasse Tyson lecturer interlocutor and presenter of many scientific programs will discuss how the sciences of today shapes the technology of tomorrow.

Peter Schwartz futurist and Senior Vice President for Strategic Planning at Salesforce will highlight how governments prepare for the unanticipated future.

The fourth panel discussion will feature a debate between Joe Kaeser President and CEO of Siemens and Saeed Mohammed Ahmed Al Tayer Managing Director and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) on clean energy innovation.

Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council and Dr. Nabil Elaraby Secretary-General of the Arab League will participate in a special session entitled: 'Preparing for the Future: Five Things That Arab Governments Should Address Now." This special session will be moderated by author and journalist Abdulrahman Al-Rashed.

The discussion panels will conclude with a debate involving experts in the field of technical sciences and history on the future effects of 3D Printing and how it will rewrite history.

The first day will also feature interactive lectures. In the first of these lectures features Jennifer Pahlka Founder and Executive Director of Code for America will discuss computer programing as a language of the future and the importance of its inclusion in educational curriculum.

Paul Anderson Founder of Bozemanscience will speak about the innovative use of playing in education and its impact on the curricula and on transforming students from recipients to participants in the educational process.

Derek Muller Physicist Director and owner of Veritasium one of the most popular scientific channels on You Tube will highlight the role of social media in shaping the future of education.

For his part Tim O'Reilly Founder and CEO of O'Reilly Media will speak about the next generation of governments and how they can be transformed into more innovative ones.

Arun Sundararajan Professor of Information Operations and Management Sciences at New York University will discuss the impact of the economy of communion on governments and what governments should do to keep up with this future economic pattern.

Rod Beckstrom Cybersecurity Expert and former President and CEO of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) will speak about the dangers of the digital world and the means to address them.

On day two Honorable Paul Kagame President of Rwanda will give an exclusive interview to John Defterios of CNN on Rwanda's experience in the field of development after the civil war that tore it apart. President Kagame will speak about his experience since taking office in 2000 and how Rwanda managed to achieve an annual economic growth of 8% which resulted in lifting million of its citizens out of poverty.

He will also highlight how Rwanda became an attractive prospect for businesses how it increased its tourism revenues five-fold and how it achieved the second millennium development goal by increasing the enrollment ratio in basic education. President Kagame will further discuss the political empowerment of women and reducing the neonatal mortality rate.

Sessions on day two will include a panel discussion entitled 'Why Governments Fail?' The panelists include Mary Robinson former President of Ireland and Dominique de Villepin former Prime Minister of France and Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus founder of the Grameen Bank and Dr. Mahmoud Jibril former Prime Minister of Libya.

In two special sessions journalist Turki Aldakhil will converse with Dr Khalid Bahah Prime Minister and Vice President of Yemen about the challenge to governments with regards to development while Egyptian journalist Muhanad Alkhatib of Sky News Arabia will discuss 'Egypt's Readiness for the Future' with Sherif Ismail Prime Minister of Egypt.

The agenda also includes keynote speeches by Ahmad bin Byat Chairman of Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company PJSC (du) and Arif Naqvi Founder and Chief Executive of The Abraaj Group as well as His Excellency Jan Eliasson Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations.

A discussion panel featuring Nicholas Negroponte from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology will address the intriguing topic on the 'Future of the Future'.

Another panel discussion entitled 'Reverse Brain Drain' will feature a number of personalities of Arab origin who excelled in universities and in Western scientific and academic institutions. It will discuss the transformations and effects of the brain drain and how emerging markets can attract talent and expertise that contributes to their development. Journalist Muntaha Al-Ramahi from Al Arabiya will moderate this panel discussion.