Watch: World Government Summit 2023 Day 2 in Dubai

After an action-packed Day One of the World Government Summit in Dubai, where heads of state, ministers and hundreds of government officials debated the future of government, the state of the global economy and climate action, the Day 2 of the Summit also proved to be a compelling watch. Heads of global organisations including António Guterres, Secretary General, United Nations and Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General, World Health Organisation were some of the main speakers to address the Summit and tell us what is next for the world. Follow the highlights here: 

Follow Gulf News’ live coverage of Day 2 of the region’s biggest gathering of leaders.

GCC working towards a sustainable future: Al Budaiwi

In his keynote address, Jassim Muhammad Al Budaiwi, Secretary General, Gulf Cooperation Council, hailed the WGS’ success and expressed condolences to peoples of Turkey and Syria.

Since its establishment in 1981, the Council has been working for a sustainable future, said Al Budaiwi. He highlighted the achievements of the GCC countries in various fields including in diversifying energy resources and women empowerment.

“The GCC governments are foreseeing future and supporting development. They have launched national visions for development in governance. They also focus on enhancing performances of the people and culture of all communities, utilising technology, focussing on innovation and providing best services in partnership with other partners.”

“People of GCC have responded with loyalty and hard work,” Al Budaiwi pointed out.

Among the challenges, he listed the necessity to ensure the continuity of development, the need for greater connectivity and economic integration and unemployment of the youth and preparing them with future skills.

“Sanctions against Syria are annoying,” said Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit, during a session on Arab Prosperity and Development at WGS 2023.

“Some people expect the Arab League to deliver aid to combat the disaster in Syria. The fact is the Arab League is not an organisation with that power. We called upon the UN and the international community to rush aid. But the League is not designed to deliver aid for disasters like in Syria or Turkey. Arab Ministerial Councils have sent a lot of aid to both the countries,” said Gheit.

“There are Arab societies which have succeeded including those in the Gulf and countries that have been shaken,” observed Gheit.

“There are countries, the six GCC countries all succeeded in having a balanced economic growth. Why? I see the resources were available. But there was also a leadership that could foresee the future.” 

No future without educated youth, says Arab League chief

“GCC gave high priority to education and hence the universities moved from the West to the Gulf countries.”

He cited AUS Sharjah as a great example that he has personally visited.

Gheit said the Arab dream is to create educated youth. “The teachers at schools and universities must be able to bring out the best potentials of the youth. Resources must be provided for education.”

“Over the past decades, you have established a global platform to help shape future governments. You have brought together thinkers and decision makers from around the world to explore solutions to the challenges of today and tomorrow.”

“And that mission is more vital than ever now,” he said.

“We are confronting a confluence of crises . In our lifetimes, conflict is raging, poverty and hunger are rising and divisions are deepening and the climate emergency keeps worsening. So we have a duty to act. And we must for the best and greater cooperation rooted in solidarity. We must avoid short term policymaking that delays taking on the big test we face and ultimately makes those challenges even more intractable. We must set some global governance and review great multilateralism for the 21st century. And we must act at the speed and scale that are fast moving.”

We will launch DEWA Sat- 2 nano satellite in 2023: Saeed Al Tayer

Saeed Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO, Dubai Electricity & Water Authority speaks on 'What We Offer to COP28.'

“We have launched a number of projects at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Solar Park with Dh50 billion investment. Its total production capacity will reach 5,000MW by 2030. Upon completion, the solar park will reduce at least 6.5m tonnes of CO2 emissions annually,” said Al Tayer.

“Given solar energy is climate-dependent and unavailable at night, we have launched a number of energy storage units. We will have the largest thermal storage capacity in the world,” he said.

Al Tayer highlighted various projects of DEWA including the Green Hydrogen Project and the world’s largest carbon neutral green data centre.

Highlights from his speech: 

* Under the wise leadership of the UAE, we are hosting COP28. In Expo City Dubai, the COP28 will build on the outcomes of the previous editions.

* The UAE is the first country in MENA to launch net zero carbon strategy by 2050.

* 8,000 buildings in Dubai have been fitted with solar panels under the Shams Dubai

* This year we will launch DEWA Sat- 2 nano satellite

* Now there are 350 charging stations for electric vehicles in Dubai

* Our strategies are aligned with those of the UN. To combat climate change, the Cabinet approved Global Alliance for Green Economy which aims to launch projects for sustainable economy.

In one of the keynote addresses at the WGS 2023, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General, World Health Organisation (WHO) speaks about “The Next Global Health Priorities: What, Why, and How?” in a video address from Syria.

The UAE has played a vital role in our work over the past few days. We have dispatched three flights with medical supplies to both countries from our logistics hub in Dubai, UAE. Indeed, our UAE, Dubai hub is an increasingly important part of WHO’s work around the world on emergency preparedness, response and resilience. In the past year, we have delivered essential supplies to 90 countries from Dubai. 

The devastating earthquake in Turkey and in Syria is another reminder of the need for all countries to build their capacities, for health, emergency preparedness, risk, and resilience.”

His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah said: “Ras Al Khaimah enjoys a rich history from the mountains to the sea, green valley to golden dunes. Tourism in the emirate as a result has become the fastest growing industry. It has grown by 50 percent in four years. We want to triple our visitors by 2030.”

Video message from Turkish President

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey apologises for not being able to attend the World Government Summit in-person owing to the devastating earthquake that rocked Turkey last week.

Macky Sall, President, Republic of Senegal and Chairperson of the African Union: “We see a lot of factors that are still hindering the growth of Africa. We need major political will and positive communication to make Africa a place for business investment.”

“31 per cent of our energy comes from renewable sources. We are going to exploit natural resources to provide electricity for all, but at the same time, we are going to focus on the use of renewable sources of energy. We are working in favour of a fair transition.”

The strategies we pursue must leave no one behind: Al Jaber

The international community must follow through on pledges made over a decade ago. We need real reform of international financial institutions and multi-lateral banks to unleash more concessional dollars, lower risk and attract more private finance for vulnerable communities. The COP28 Presidency views that addressing the climate challenge represents the greatest opportunity for inclusive growth and prosperity since the first industrial revolution.

The strategies we pursue must leave no one behind, the policies we adopt must be pro-growth and pro-climate at the same time.

UAE approaches the task of organising COP28 with humility and great responsibility. COP28 will have the first global stocktake, a comprehensive assessment of the progress of Paris Climate Agreement. But, we don’t need to do a stock take. We already know that we are way off track. The world is playing catch up when it comes to holding temperatures below required a levels. Global temperatures must fall 43 per cent by 2030. We need a major course correction as the current approaches we have been using come from a different era no longer fit for purpose.

”Let’s cooperate collaborate and share ideas. Let’s live up to the responsibility that we have been entrusted with.”

”UAE is not shying away from energy transition. In fact, we are running towards it.”

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, President Designate, COP28, "We need to transform entire industry systems that run on energies from the first industrial revolution"

“I express my sympathies and solidarity to the people and governments of Turkey and Syria following the devastating earthquake,” said Prithvirajsing Roopun, President, Republic of Mauritius while delivering keynote address.

“Natural disasters are, unfortunately, becoming a real tragedy and are becoming far too common. And this is due to climate change. Rise in temperature, extreme weather conditions, torrid heatwaves, severe droughts are just to name a few,” he said.

“Climate change is a reality that all governments, whether developed or emerging, will have to face now and in the future to come.

“We are faced with a ticking time bomb that nobody can ignore. It is an existential threat for millions in all regions across the world.”

Delegates interacting with fellow participants during the break

Majed Al Mesmar, Director General, Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority, "Through digital transformation, governments can analyse data and deliver services that meet the requirements of people."

The role of government is to protect citizens: Kevin Thomas

The role of government is to protect citizens and data privacy has now become an issue of national security with several companies collecting data through apps and sites and such data could also be used by foreign governments through foreign companies, said Thomas who passed a legislation in New York to strengthen protections over consumers’ personal data and create accountability standards for businesses that collect, process and use consumers’ personally identifiable data.

Generative Artificial Intelligence will part of our lives: Al Falasi

The senator is speaking on the topic “Are governments responsible for data protection?”

The audience applauded when he began his remarks by mentioning about his connection with Dubai where he spent his childhood days before migrating to the US.

“Data is now more valuable than oil and we need to have more control over what others have on us,” said Thomas.

Dubai is an incredible story: Idris Elba

The contours of an autonomous system rely on purposeful design and data. According to a survey conducted by MIT Sloan School of Management, with nearly a quarter of respondents reporting that their organization has experienced an AI failure. What then is the outlook of AI-augmented governance? Can governments enhance digital systems to evade failures and enhance service delivery and optimize policymaking?

Mona Al Marri, Vice President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, “Negative perception (about women) in the Arab world is unfortunate, but I am sure and confident that this will change because of the efforts that we see today in terms of promoting gender equality and empowering one woman. We see a huge difference and impact, not only in government but also in the private sector.”

We are now at the age where we are driving advanced technologies and innovation, really moving to a knowledge economy, says Bannai.

The secretary general said that this lead to the creation of advanced universities and technologies, the creation of industries in this field. "We were given a very clear mandate to drive and the challenge started with we want to be a country that is developing advanced technologies to solve our local and global challenges," he said.

Jessica Alupo, Vice President of Uganda is now in conversation with Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Advisor, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, UAE

As many as 55 per cent of academic researchers in Tunisia are women, a first in the African and Arab world, says Romdhane.

Challenges such as high unemployment rates and less participation of women in business demand doubling our efforts to unleash the the energies of women to be the leaders of democracy and economic development of the society, added the Prime Minister of Tunisia.

Tunisian legislations are role models regionally: Najla Romdhane

Najla Bouden Romdhane, the first female prime minister both in Tunisia and the Arab world, speaks about the importance of having women in government for the community’s prosperity.

“I’m a Tunisian. I have the heritage of this beloved country of culture that has supported women for centuries and acknowledged the active role of women in building the society. I’m leading a government more than a quarter of which are skilled women, heading various sectors.”

Romdhane said countries should have national strategies that meet the challenges in promoting the women in economic activities. “Tunisian legislations (in this regard) are role models regionally,” she said.Najla Bouden Romdhane

“Today, Emirati women are not only reaching their ambitions, but surpassing them both in the UAE and globally,” said Al Roumi. She cited the example of Razan Al Mubarak, elected president of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the second woman to lead the organisation in its 75-year history

This forum is a space that brings champions together: Ohood Al Roumi

Ohood Al Roumi, Minister of State for Government Development and the Future, UAE, Vice Chair, World Government Summit : This forum is a space that brings champions together, women and men who are driving change by advancing women inclusion and enablement in government.

It is here where we come together to share our stories and experiences to gain insight and to find inspiration and to strengthen our network of support, because we still have more work to do. So let us discuss how can we catalyse our efforts to inspire women in government? How can we amplify our voices and how can we scale our impact?

Women in Government Forum is about to start

The RTA Hall where the Women in Government Forum is about to start is fast filling up with men and women alike. The speakers include Ohood Al Roumi, Minister of State for Government Development and the Future, UAE, Vice Chair, World Government Summit, Najla Bouden Romdhane, the first female prime minister both in Tunisia and the Arab world, Jessica Alupo, Vice President, Republic of Uganda, Kersti Kaljulaid, the fifth President, Republic of Estonia, Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation, Egypt and Mona Al Marri, Vice President of the UAE Gender BalanceC ouncil among others.

Delegates arrive for WGS 2023 - Day 2