Development is prioritisation of humanity over individual: Sultan
Development should revolve around the family as a central unit, as well as the individual across different stages of life, said His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.
He was speaking at the opening of the sixth International Government Communication Forum (IGCF 2017) at Expo Centre, Sharjah on Wednesday. The twoday forum organised by the Sharjah Media Council under the slogan ‘Societal Participation… Comprehensive Development’ will end today.
During his inaugural speech, Dr Sheikh Sultan emphasised the role of education and development in the growth of Sharjah.
He recounted how it all began 32 years ago, with opening the UAE’s first children’s centre in Sharjah. “The University City of Sharjah was established 12 years later. The generation that witnessed these projects is now an integral part of our society,” said Sheikh Sultan.
“Today, we welcome around 5,500 pupils and approximately 1,200 students graduate annually on 350 masters and 120 PhD programmes. In addition, we are increasingly interested in focusing our efforts on scientific research, and have therefore allocated $120 million for this purpose.
“Sustainable development is the prioritisation of humanity over the individual, which would allow progress to carry on beyond the life of a single individual. Development should revolve around the family as a central unit, as well as the individual across different stages of life — from childhood to adolescence to the old age,” he stressed. He lamented the lack of societal participation, which is necessary for sustainable development.
The Ruler of Sharjah said that for true societal development, humans must be the source and core focus of such inclusive development, regardless of ethnicity and background. He also emphasised the need for health insurance for all segments of the population, especially the elderly, to ensure their continued care as the nation moves ahead.
Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Media Council, called on the audience to keep in mind the countless bloody events that the world is currently witnessing, the obstacles they generate, and of the important need to transform them into opportunities. He encouraged all stakeholders to closely follow and benefit from the outcomes and recommendations of the sixth edition of IGCF.
Speaking on behalf of Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, the guest of honour at the inaugural event, Ali Ahmadov, Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan, expressed his delight at the opportunity to attend the forum. He commended Sharjah and the wider UAE on hosting the prestigious event, and voiced his concern on international issues such as famine, poverty, disease, inequality, environmental imbalance and terrorism that have captured the attention of a worldwide audience.
He underlined the significance of such events and activities that bring together governments and nations, to coordinate their efforts in finding solutions to international issues, with communication at the core of this synchronisation. He also highlighted Azerbaijan’s efforts, as an oil exporter and in light of recent fluctuations, to diversify its economy and step up its global status. “Nations across the world should focus on sustainable development and identify how to contribute to the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” he said.