WGS, a crucial platform for addressing global challenges: President of US-UAE Business Council


DUBAI: Danny Sebright, President of the US-UAE Business Council, stressed the significance of the World Governments Summit (WGS) as a pivotal forum uniting global thought leaders and decision-makers.

Speaking to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) during the summit, Sebright highlighted the imperative for governments to collaborate with the private sector and civil society in addressing pressing global challenges.

Sebright underscored WGS’s role in showcasing cutting-edge technological innovations and serving as a vital platform for generating solutions amidst the rapid evolution of global challenges.

He noted the US-UAE Business Council long-standing partnership with the summit, ensuring robust private sector involvement and representation, with the council helping to provide recommendations through the participation of US company CEOs.

The President of the US-UAE Business Council emphasised the summit’s focus on artificial intelligence (AI), a key agenda item.

He highlighted the Council’s commitment to faci
litating trade cooperation between the United States and the UAE in AI, emphasising opportunities for US companies to engage in collaborative ventures with the UAE.

Sebright outlined the Council’s initiatives, including hosting events featuring senior officials from the US government and business leaders, aimed at enhancing understanding of the UAE’s AI ecosystem.

Source: Emirates News Agency

WGS an inspiring platform that anticipates future of government work : ADDED Chairman


DUBAI: Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), said the World Governments Summit (WGS) 2024 is an inspiring platform that anticipates the future of government work in various areas and sectors.

During the key international event, he also reiterated ADDED’s commitment to creating conducive conditions for the growth of the ‘Falcon Economy’ in Abu Dhabi.

In his statement to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) on the sidelines of the WGS, Al Zaabi stressed that the future requires more flexibility in terms of economic and financial government policies and developing new approaches to attract more investment, stimulate trade and support the business community through various means, as well as providing financial and investment facilitations to encourage innovation and achieve sectoral prosperity.

The ADDED focuses on sustainable development and economic diversification, in line with the directives and visions of the UAE’s wise leadership to enhance Abu Dhabi’s stat
us as the capital of finance and a leading centre for sustainability and advanced technologies, he added.

‘The WGS is an important opportunity to strengthen our economic ties and explore further opportunities in priority sectors with senior government officials and relevant organisations. We continue to work together to establish constructive foundations for future foresight and form common visions for various sectors by meeting basic requirements for development, including inclusivity and social and economic prosperity,’ Al Zaabi said.

‘The world faces many current challenges, such as climate change and other geopolitical changes, and the WGS has always played a pivotal role throughout its previous editions. We are confident that the summit can bring together the world and governments to promote further cooperation and joint work, exchange valuable experiences, and prioritise economic and social development for the world’s peoples,’ he said in conclusion.

Source: Emirates News Agency

UAE’s healthcare progress praised by WHO Director-General at WGS 2024


DUBAI: Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), has lauded the United Arab Emirates for substantial advancements in its healthcare sector.

He noted that the country showcased notable enhancements across various health indicators, including a rise in life expectancy, stating, “the UAE has made a lot of progress over many years, life expectancy has improved, and many health indicators have improved. So the UAE is doing very well.”

In statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) at the World Governments Summit (WGS), Dr. Tedros underscored the summit’s pivotal role in shaping the future of global health while emphasising the need to address present challenges and discussing strategies to mitigate them effectively.

Reflecting on the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Tedros shed light on the significance of collective action and preparedness. He called for establishing global agreements on pandemics to bolster worldwide readiness for future health crises. “On COVID-19, what we learn
ed from it and the need for a pandemic accord or pandemic agreement that can help us to prepare the world better.”

Recalling his warning six years ago about the looming threat of a global pandemic with the world’s lack of readiness, Dr. Tedros said, “In 2018, I spoke about pandemics. I said pandemics can happen, and we are not prepared for it, or the world is not prepared for it.”

He asserted the necessity of leveraging platforms like the World Governments Summit to foster dialogue and readiness for such eventualities, ensuring a more resilient global health landscape.

Source: Emirates News Agency

UAE’s healthcare progress praised by WHO Director-General at WGS 2024


DUBAI: Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), has lauded the United Arab Emirates for substantial advancements in its healthcare sector.

He noted that the country showcased notable enhancements across various health indicators, including a rise in life expectancy, stating, “the UAE has made a lot of progress over many years, life expectancy has improved, and many health indicators have improved. So the UAE is doing very well.”

In statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) at the World Governments Summit (WGS), Dr. Tedros underscored the summit’s pivotal role in shaping the future of global health while emphasising the need to address present challenges and discussing strategies to mitigate them effectively.

Reflecting on the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Tedros shed light on the significance of collective action and preparedness. He called for establishing global agreements on pandemics to bolster worldwide readiness for future health crises. “On COVID-19, what we learn
ed from it and the need for a pandemic accord or pandemic agreement that can help us to prepare the world better.”

Recalling his warning six years ago about the looming threat of a global pandemic with the world’s lack of readiness, Dr. Tedros said, “In 2018, I spoke about pandemics. I said pandemics can happen, and we are not prepared for it, or the world is not prepared for it.”

He asserted the necessity of leveraging platforms like the World Governments Summit to foster dialogue and readiness for such eventualities, ensuring a more resilient global health landscape.

Source: Emirates News Agency

US$27 billion funded for 4,000 development projects in 125 countries: OFID Director-General


DUBAI: The OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) has committed a US$27 billion to support 4,000 development projects in over 125 countries since its inception, highlighted Dr. Abdulhamid Alkhalifa, OFID Director-General.

In 2023, funding reached a record $1.7 billion through 55 projects worldwide, bolstering initiatives promoting social and economic resilience and sustainable growth.

“The UAE has played a significant role in supporting the fund since its establishment in 1976, contributing as an OPEC member state in the fund’s initiatives and projects aimed at promoting sustainable development globally,” Dr. Alkhalifa said in statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) during the World Governments Summit (WGS).

He lauded the UAE’s unwavering commitment to mobilising significant funding and its focus on energy transition aligns with efforts to support sustainable development and other strategic alliances.

Regarding the role of the World Governments Summit in stimulating international cooperation
and envisioning the future of governments and governmental work, the OFID Director-General said that the summit seeks to enhance international cooperation, serving as an ideal platform to enhance partnerships by bringing together international organisations, decision-makers, experts, and innovators.

Underscoring the WGS’ crucial role in fostering international cooperation and envisioning the future of governance, Dr. Alkhalifa lauded the platform’s ability to convene international organizations, decision-makers, experts, and innovators to strengthen partnerships.

He recognised the summit’s immense value in facilitating discussions on governmental processes, policies, and future trends, aiming for concerted efforts towards achieving comprehensive and sustainable development.

Dr. Alkhalifa concluded, “We look forward to exchanging ideas with our counterparts and finding appropriate solutions to global challenges.”

The OPEC Fund for International Development, founded in 1976, is a multilateral development fi
nance institution. Its membership comprises 12 countries: the UAE, Algeria, Ecuador, Gabon, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela. The organisation collaborates with the global community to stimulate economic growth and social progress in low- and middle-income countries worldwide.

Source: Emirates News Agency

COP28 launches ‘The COP Presidencies Troika’ in partnership with COP29, COP30 Presidencies


DUBAI: COP28 today launched a partnership with Azerbaijan and Brazil, who will host COP29 and COP30, respectively, to improve cooperation and continuity between current and future COP Presidencies, leading to increased climate action in support of “Mission 1.5°C”.

The partnership, known as The COP Presidencies Troika, marks the first time that a current COP Presidency has been formally mandated to unite with two future presidencies to foster international cooperation to stimulate ambition.

Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and COP28 President, emphasised the importance of this partnership, stating, “The Troika represents critical and unprecedented collaboration to maintain momentum, lock in continuity and anchor implementation.”

The Troika, which means group of three, will help to ensure the delivery of the Presidencies’ collective responsibilities and support of global priorities, which in turn will transform agreement into action by government and non-government
stakeholders.

Speaking at the launch of the Troika, held in Expo City Dubai, COP28 President Dr. Sultan Al Jaber said, “COP28 delivered a different, groundbreaking COP that culminated in The UAE Consensus. At COP28, Parties mobilised behind historic climate action through both the negotiations and their commitments to the Presidential Action Agenda. The Troika helps ensure we have the collaboration and continuity required to keep the North Star of 1.5°C in sight-from Baku to Belém and beyond.

“The breakthroughs we all achieved at COP28 must carry forward to COP29 and 30-in ambitious nationally determined contributions, climate finance follow through, and accelerated implementation.”

An agreement for the three Presidencies to work together on a “Roadmap to Mission 1.5°C” was mandated by the UAE Consensus. Supported by all 198 Parties, this agreement must now be actioned under the COP Presidencies Troika.

The agreement stated that the partnership will “significantly enhance international cooperation and the
international enabling environment to stimulate ambition in the next round of nationally determined contributions, with a view to enhancing action and implementation over this critical decade and keeping 1.5°C within reach.”

Dr. Al Jaber said, “The UAE Consensus included a clear mandate for the three Presidencies-the UAE, Azerbaijan and Brazil-to cooperate on the ‘Roadmap to Mission 1.5°C’. We will be working together through the COP Presidencies Troika, with our friends in Baku and Brazil, to ensure that promises made in Dubai are fulfilled through closer, focused partnerships and credible support to enable delivery. Together, we ensure that new agreements forged at the next COP set us on the path we need to achieve our mission.”

COP29, in Baku, Azerbaijan, is expected to agree on a New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance to respond to the needs and priorities of developing countries. The adoption of the NCQG will constitute the most significant climate finance milestone since the 2009 com
mitment by developed countries to a goal of mobilising jointly US$100 billion a year by 2020 to address the needs of developing countries.

Building on both the UAE Consensus and the outcomes of Baku at COP30 in Brazil, the Troika’s laser focus on the 2025 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) round will ensure that countries’ individual commitments deliver ambitious climate action. This will accelerate the global collective ability to meet the Paris goals in the context of sustainable development and efforts to eradicate poverty.

COP29 President-Designate Mukhtar Babayev, Azerbaijan’s Minister for Ecology and Natural Resources, joined Dr. Al Jaber and highlighted, “We are committed to leveraging our strength as a bridge builder between the developed and developing world as host of COP29 to accelerate efforts to keep 1.5 in reach. Key to that will be establishing a new climate finance goal that reflects the scale and urgency of the climate challenge. And equally important, unlocking those funds and gett
ing them to the nations that need them most.”

Minister Marina Silva, Brazil’s Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, said, “As I said in Dubai, we need to make the most of the opportunity that this Troika of COP Presidencies presents: to ensure that in these coming two years we will be able to do what science tells us we have to, in the last window of opportunity to achieve the 1.5°C ambition.”

Following the launch of the Troika, Simon Stiell, the UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, said: “The unity of this Troika will help deliver on the ambition needed to tackle climate change through collaboration, cooperation and coordination. This is an opportunity to cement what was agreed at COP28, ensure that it is enabled by COP29 and the subsequent actions taken at COP30 with new ambitious NDCs – shifting finance from trickles to torrents and delivering 1.5°C aligned NDCs.”

Source: Emirates News Agency