Leaders to discuss pressing matters and focus on the future
Started in 2013, the World Government Summit (WGS) entered its 10th edition on February 13, 2023. It is a three-day event held in Dubai and will close on February 15, 2023. This year, the theme for the World Government Summit (WGS) is “Shaping Future Governments”.
The event will see government officials, celebrities, and thought leaders from around the world who will join global experts and decision-makers to discuss some of the most critical, pressing, and pertinent issues on the agenda of governments worldwide. The summit comprises 220 sessions, 300 speakers, and 10,000 delegates. The leaders include 20 heads of state, 250 ministers, and heads of 80 international, regional, and governmental organizations.
WGS 2023 focuses on the significant challenges in the Gulf region:
President of the Islamic Development Bank Group, Dr. Mohammed Al Jasser, said that the Arab countries face economic backlashes in various ways. The panel touched on the challenges faced by the regional economy and government financial work. Abdul Rahman bin Abdullah Al Hamidi, Director-General and Chairman of the Arab Monetary Fund (AMF), said that government economic and financial policies play a critical role in preserving social and economic stability.
WGS 2023 puts forward a new notion for climate change: To be addressed from a global point-of-view:
Increased climate disasters and severe climate conditions are becoming pressing matters all around the world. Government and corporate houses are joining hands to find ways to reduce their carbon footprint and replace carbon with renewable energies. During WGS 2023, Omar Sultan Al Olama, minister of state for artificial intelligence, digital economy, and remote work applications, UAE, and managing director, WGS, pointed out that the climate threat should be approached with a unified vision. He also stated that the UAE would host Cop 28 later this year, and the forum will draw the roadmap for a sustainable tomorrow for billions of people across the globe.
2023: The year of Arab Youth & the WGS:
As a part of the pre-summit sessions of the WGS, the Arab Meeting for Young Leaders event was organized, where Arab Youth and Sports ministers met for the first time. It was followed by the declaration of 2023 as the year of Arab youth. The meeting focused on working together, sharing experience and knowledge, and supporting the Arab youth. The agenda is to orchestrate beneficial work strategies so the youth can be a part of important decisions.
WGS 2023 will be attended by over 100 students from 15 top universities around the globe, including MIT Sloan, Havard Kennedy School, London Business School, Tuck School of Business, and more.
In early 2023, the Arab League announced that the year would be marked as the year of Arab youth. The statement was made at a joint press conference arranged at the organization’s headquarters in Cairo following an initiative by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
The initiative will launch over 44 events which will encompass various activities and events, as reported by Egyptian Minister of Youth and Sports Ashraf Sobhy. Haifa Abu Ghazaleh, Arab League Assistant Secretary-General, said that one of the features of 2023 would be a package of integrated youth activities.
Given the global socioeconomic and humanitarian conditions, including the Russia-Ukraine geopolitical conflict and the deadly earthquake in Turkey, the theme for WGS 2023 seems more relevant than ever.