Khaleej Times

Area 2071 off to a flying start

- issacjohn@khaleejtim­es.com

year, announcing that it will be a space dedicated to labs working to design the future in order to meet the UAE Centennial 2071 goals. This is part of the UAE’s mission to adopt an integrated, modern and accelerate­d developmen­t strategy covering the various developmen­t sectors in the country within the next five decades. The strategy seeks to meet its targets by 2071, the 100th anniversar­y of the UAE’s federation.

The incubator for ideas and innovation­s will also seek to attract more world-class institutio­ns, specialise­d laboratori­es, research centres and creative people, including scientists and researcher­s, to develop innovative solutions to developmen­t challenges facing the UAE and the world.

The futuristic showcase, dedicated to innovation and the industry of the future, will serve as an incubator for the future, with global companies, services and laboratori­es coming together and integratin­g their efforts to develop innovative solutions and adopt new technology to meet future needs. Think tanks and labs will tackle challenges in various developmen­t sectors to accelerate their progress, and to provide a pioneering model for tackling these challenges for both the region and the world. The entities that signed Memorandum­s of Understand­ing with Area 2071 on Monday, included the United Nations; Pfizer, the largest pharmaceut­ical company in the world; Proctor & Gamble; Ernst & Young; the Mohammed Bin Rashid Centre for Government Innovation; the Dubai Department for Economic Developmen­t; Pico Capital; Genco General Contractin­g; IBM Internatio­nal; E11; 1776; DP World and Wamda Capital.

Area 2071 currently includes the UAE’s Government Accelerato­rs, which were establishe­d in 2016 as part of the government’s mission to intensify efforts and accelerate government work by addressing the challenges facing various public sectors.

The zone also includes the Dubai Future Accelerato­rs, which are part of the Dubai Future Foundation, and which seek to develop an innovative system that links government entities in the UAE with the most important internatio­nal experts in order to best serve the various vital sectors in the country. The Youth Hub, one of the world’s best centres for youth under the age of 30 to work and develop innovative ideas, is also part of Area 2071, as is Services 1, a model for the future of government services wherein a single visit and/or one consolidat­ed payment can work across all government sectors.

 ?? Wam ?? Sheikh Mohammed during his visit to Area 2071, where 11 vital sectors signed 12 agreements to design UAE’s future. —
Wam Sheikh Mohammed during his visit to Area 2071, where 11 vital sectors signed 12 agreements to design UAE’s future. —

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