Why the future of the world is reserved for us
The UAE will never accept being just an observer to development, especially in the fields of science and technology. The country meticulously plans and maps its way.
The country is fully aware that in order to ensure a leading position in the world, it should be more creative, innovative and productive. Such achievements do not come out of the blue, but instead are a result of planning, determination, ambition and willpower. When Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, launched the National Innovation Strategy in October 2014 and declared 2015 to be the Year of Innovation, he reflected on the correlation between innovation and the future and existence itself, which characterises the insightful vision of our wise leadership.
Within this context, the National Innovation Strategy has been launched to ensure that in the coming years the UAE ranks among the most innovative countries in the world. Hence, a comprehensive strategy in an institutional framework has been adopted to ensure the implementation and the achievement of the country’s goals. Such endeavours are an integral part of the UAE Vision 2021.
Innovation and creativity can never be achieved without providing an excellent and modern education system, establishing adequate infrastructure and institutions, encouraging all social sectors to contribute to the innovative efforts and promoting creative people and fostering their ideas and skills. Accordingly, the UAE has taken major steps to improve education, promote scientific research and prioritise innovation at all national institutions.
Innovation is the main source of wealth and income in the age of a knowledge-based economy. The country that possesses creative ideas and is capable of transforming them into reality will retain wealth, strength and influence over its surrounding area and the world.
Secondly, innovation has no limits. It is actually an endless line stretching towards the horizon.
Thirdly, innovation is not a luxury. Rather, it is the backbone of life, and those who are not engaged in the innovation process will condemn themselves to obsolescence in the margins of history.
The world has already gone through three industrial revolutions: the first was based on the invention of the steam engine in the 18th century. The second, which began in the late 19th century and continued until the First World War, was related to invention of electricity and manufacturing; and the third, which began in the late 20th century, has been triggered by information technology and computerisation. Now, the world is heading towards the fourth industrial revolution, revolving around the artificial intelligence and all the related advancements in the field of robotics, 3D printing and the like.
The UAE seeks, through its innovation strategies, to lead the region in the preparation phase to enter this fourth industrial revolution, which is likely to witness major shifts. In this context, during the proceedings of Global Future Councils, in November 2016 in Dubai, the UAE declared that the country was about to establish the world’s first council for the fourth indus-
The UAE seeks to lead the region in the preparation for the fourth industrial revolution
trial revolution. This reflects the leading role the country plays in this regard, as well as the country’s readiness to embrace the new global technological and scientific developments.
Many in the Arab world talk about the importance of knowledge and Arab underdevelopment in the field of technological advances. Few, however, translate words into actions. In this regard, the Arab region can extract lessons from the UAE.
Many underdeveloped countries have moved up the progress ladder thanks to the special attention accorded to science and knowledge, while Arabs lagged behind. It is high time that Arabs realise that the future path, status and even the existence of their nations depend on science, innovation and creativity. That’s because the future of this world is exclusively reserved for creative nations.