Hundreds of ministers, business leaders, decision-makers, and experts from around the world will gather in Dubai next Monday for the World Government Summit.
Over the course of three days, they will reflect on important topics such as how artificial intelligence is reshaping work, the challenge of feeding the world's growing population, and the urgent need to tackle climate change.
The summit will include a conversation between Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of Twitter and founder of SpaceX, and Muhammad Al-Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs.
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| Elon Musk's appearance at the World Government Summit in Dubai |
Mr. Musk appeared at the event in 2017 when he said that governments might need to consider paying citizens a basic income to ease social inequality due to the increasing automation of jobs.
The organizers have not yet said whether he will attend next week in person or remotely.
"The summit has become a point for exchanging experiences, knowledge, and ideas," said Al Gergawi, chairman of the summit.
The fight against climate change will also be prominent. The UAE hosts the Cop28 Climate Change Conference in November and December, and Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, President-designate of Cop28, will deliver a keynote address on Tuesday about the way forward and how the UAE is seeking to prioritize action.
Wavel Ramkaloan, President of Seychelles, will speak on the same day on an urgent topic to be taken up at COP28 - how to deal with rising sea levels.
The summit will also hear from Pakistan's Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman. Khadija Naseem, Minister of State for Environment, Climate Change and Technology of the Maldives. Razan Al Mubarak, UN High-profile Climate Change Champion, Cop28; and Yasmine Fouad, Egyptian Minister of the Environment.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. UN Secretary-General António Guterres; Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director, International Monetary Fund; WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The Future, and pop stars will.i.am are all expected to take part in the three-day event.
The event is also due to hear from Nick Clegg, former Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and now Chairman of Meta. He will discuss AI-enhanced governance with Omar Al Olama, UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Remote Work, and Digital Applications.
The summit will also hear the first Arab female prime minister, Naglaa Boden, speaking with Ohood Al Roumi, UAE Minister of State for Government Development and the Future.
Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior will deliver a speech. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, will present his vision for the emirate.
How governments can deal with uncertainty is an important part of the discussion and attendees will hear from Nasser Al-Khater, CEO of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar, and Najeeb Al-Ali, Executive Director of the Expo 2020 Bureau, about staging major events. amid difficult circumstances.
The summit will also host economist Esther Duflo, an expert on how to tackle poverty, and chemist Dr. Roger Kornberg, who has been praised for his work in the field of RNA.
In total, 250 ministers and more than 10,000 officials will attend 22 international sub-conferences, where more than 300 speakers will highlight topics of sustainability, healthcare, economics, technology, policy development, and strategies for governments.
The World Government Summit takes place from February 13-15 at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai.