Pope will address World Govt Summit
dubai — Pope Francis, who recently made a historic three-day visit to the UAE, is set to address world leaders who will be coming to the country for the seventh World Government Summit that will start on Sunday.
Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and the Future and chairman of the WGS, on Wednesday confirmed that Pope Francis will be delivering the speech from the Vatican.
More than 4,000 dignitaries from 140 countries and some of the world’s movers and shakers are expected to attend the seventh edition of the summit, held every year under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
The event will also be hosting 600 world-famous speakers in more than 200 interactive sessions, which will tackle topics that are bound to shape the future — from climate change and fiscal policy to government service innovations and post-conflict social reconciliation.
Al Gergawi said this year’s summit aims to provide all governments with a blueprint for national success, which would ensure a better future for the world’s seven billion people.
Summit aims to provide all governments with a blueprint for national success, which would ensure a better future for the world.” Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and the Future and chairman of the WGS
Discussions will revolve around seven key areas: the future of technology and its impact on future governments; health and quality of life; environment and climate change; education and the labour market; trade and international cooperation; societies and politics; and the future of information and communication between government and society.
High-profile speakers
A number of the UAE’s leaders will be taking the stage to present an overview of the shifts and progress that are driving the country. Among the summit speakers are Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council; Lt-General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior; and Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Sheikha Mary ambint Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will also speak in a session entitled “Choosing a Future for the Next Generation”.
Professor Klaus Schwab, founder and CEO of the World Economic Forum, will be back to talk about the main challenges facing the world in 2019.
But for the first time, WGS will witness the participation of four Nobel Laureates, including Colombia’s 32nd President Juan Manuel Santos who will talk about leading nations from conflict to reconciliation, and Daniel Kahneman, professor of Economics at Princeton University and Nobel Prize for Economics Laureate, who will offers insights into the art and science of decision making.
Paul Krugman, professor of Economics and International Affairs at Princeton University and winner of Nobel Prize for Economics, will participate in a session on the future prospects of free trade. Amina Mohammed, deputy secretary-general of the United Nations, and Leymah Gbowee, Liberian peace activist who played a key role in ending the second civil war in Liberia and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, will speak at a session on the role of women in building post-war societies.