The Abundance 360 Summit (A360), being held for the first time in Dubai highlighted, during its first day, the latest global industry trends and challenges that are presented by the evolvement of technology.
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Delegates representing top financial institutions, unicorn tech companies, representatives of some of the region’s most renowned family offices and senior management of Fortune 500 companies gathered for the two-day C-level programme, reflecting a collective commitment to transforming their organisations into exponential, abundance-minded enterprises.
In a session with Dr Peter Diamandis, futurist, speaker and author, Dr Ahmad bin Abdullah Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Higher Education and Advanced Skills, highlighted the UAE government’s focus on deploying future technology to develop key sectors in the country and prepare a generation capable of keeping abreast to these rapid technological changes.
He said, “The UAE government has made it a priority to address how to best develop human resources to meet the demands of the future. To this end, we have studied, benchmarked, researched and sought expert opinions to better understand how the future will be shaped and how we can be proactive in future-proofing our human capital, regardless of changes in the job market.
“We found the answer to be advanced skills. The development of advanced skills is one of the main pillars in the UAE to unlock the opportunities that the Fourth Industrial Revolution is bringing forward. In order for the current and forthcoming generations to succeed and stay relevant in the workforce, they need to develop multiple sets of skills, which we have defined across three categories; core literacies, competencies and character qualities.
“As we move forward, there will be more emphasis on such skills. Together with specialised domain knowledge, they will allow our asset – human capital – to always be future fit, regardless of any changes in job market.”
Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO of DEWA said, “At DEWA, we are working in line with the ambitious vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai an inspirational model for the world with its unique and innovative experiences in driving change and anticipating the future. Our sponsorship of the Abundance 360 Summit, which is being held for the first time in the region, is due to its importance as an international event that attracts a wide range of global businesses and technology professionals to showcase the latest technology experiences around the world, with an emphasis on the role of technology in developing vital sectors in the cities of the future.”
In an opening speech at the summit, Khalfan Balhoul, CEO of Dubai Future Foundation, noted the importance of launching A360 in Dubai as it sheds light on the global opportunities out there and strategies to employ them in serving humanity, while engaging UAE governmental and private entities, and startups.
“The UAE has always been a beacon in attracting innovative minds from all over the globe, and working with them to serve humanity in facing the challenges of the future by providing the ideal environment to nurture these ideas and concepts,” he added.
A360 is held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Dubai Future Foundation.