The third edition of the Dubai Future Forum, the world’s largest gathering of futurists, will start tomorrow, Tuesday, at the Museum of the Future.
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), the event will provide an optimal platform for global thought leaders to develop actionable solutions for the future.
Hosted by Dubai Future Foundation, the Forum will be held on November 19-20, bringing together over 150 prominent speakers from the UAE and around the world. It will also welcome more than 2,500 experts from around 100 countries, along with representatives from 100 leading international organisations specialising in futurism.
Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and Managing Director of DFF, referred to the Dubai Future Forum as a global platform for future foresight and collaboration. Reflecting the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Forum underscores Dubai’s commitment to preparing for the future and capitalising on emerging opportunities.
Al Gergawi said: “Dubai and the UAE have become a global hub for futurists passionate about shaping the future to explore transformative shifts, identify priorities, and raise recommendations to support decision-makers to ensure global readiness for future changes.”
“Rapid transformations in technology, society, and the environment make it essential to continuously revisit our government’s priorities for future readiness and the tools needed to achieve this. A government’s success depends on its ability to anticipate and benefit from future opportunities. Through the Dubai Future Forum, we will bring together experts and decision-makers to build strong international partnerships and design solutions for a better future for all humanity,” Al Gergawi added.
The Forum will delve into five key themes: Foresight Insights, Transforming Humanity, Optimising Health, Empowering Generations, and Futuring Nature. These themes will be explored through multiple sessions addressing some of the most critical challenges and opportunities shaping our world.
The opening day of the Dubai Future Forum 2024 will feature a dynamic program of panels and keynote sessions, beginning with ‘From Deep Space to Deep Ocean: A Future of Exploration and Discovery’, featuring Sara Sabry, the first Arab and African female astronaut, Professor Oussama Khatib, creator of the deep-sea exploration robot OceanOneK, and Suaad Al Harthi, a National Geographic explorer.
Other key sessions include ‘Concepts of Time: How Do They Shape Our Future?’, with Jonathan Keats, applied philosophy expert; Ann Beate Hovind, Chair of the Future Library Trust; and Dr. Patrick Noack of the Dubai Future Foundation. Keynote addresses by Dr. Parag Khanna, founder of AlphaGeo, on ‘Setting the Scene: Where is Humanity Going?’, and Dr. Jordan Nguyen Founder of Psykinetic, on ‘Enter the Future: Technology for Humanity’, will also take place, alongside ‘Making the Case: Which Way to the Future?’, featuring His Excellency Khalfan Juma Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation, and Amy Webb, CEO of the Future Today Institute.