The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF) has announced plans to launch the sixth annual Knowledge Summit, to be held on November 19 and 20, 2019, at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, and with directives from MBRF Chairman H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Summit has established itself as a prominent world-class knowledge event. The 2019 edition bears the theme ‘Knowledge: The Path to Sustainable Development’.
The Knowledge Summit seeks to offer a global knowledge platform bringing together experts and decision makers from around the world to exchange expertise and best practices, and showcase solutions for addressing the challenges facing sustainable development.
The event seeks to implement the leadership’s vision to empower people in a knowledge-based society and spur a comprehensive development drive centred around people. Topics of discussion at the event range from the role of knowledge in achieving sustainable development goals to addressing global challenges, such as poverty, hunger, inequality, and climate change, in addition to promoting innovation and sustainable consumption, and offering solutions to protect the environment and ensure peace and prosperity for all people by 2030.
“Knowledge is the ultimate goal for us at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, and an indispensable requirement for improving people’s lives,” said MBRF’s CEO His Excellency Jamal bin Huwaireb. “The sixth annual Knowledge Summit reflects this commitment, exploring sustainable development goals with experts and decision makers to identify local and international challenges, propose solutions for them, and develop effective instruments to ensure wide-reaching sustainable growth.”
“Sustainable development in the UAE began at the country’s inception, spearheaded by our Founding Father the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Our wise leadership continues along the same path to build a country of tolerance and generosity, and a nation that has become exemplary in all sectors,” H.E. bin Huwaireb added, noting that the UAE is a pioneer in working towards the United Nations’ sustainable development goals, and a key partner in promoting SDGs around the world, as evidenced by the country’s contribution to various projects and initiatives of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The MBRF CEO went on to explain that the UAE has set up an integrated ecosystem to drive the national economy’s shift towards sustainability, launching a bundle of initiatives, chief among them being the UAE Centennial 2071 Plan, the UAE Vision 2021, and the UAE Green Growth Strategy, which seeks to build a sustainable future for coming generations.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – also known as the 2030 Agenda – are a set of objectives outlined by the United Nations, articulating a global vision and a call for action to eradicate poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. The SDGs were approved by all 193 UN member states, including the UAE. The 17 goals are divided into four main themes – environmental, social, economic, and partnerships – they include 169 targets and 233 indicators.
The Knowledge Summit showcases several models and various success stories in sustainable development, in an effort to identify and address key challenges facing different people around the world and impeding progress in SDG implementation. Furthermore, some government agencies in Dubai will be showcasing their experience and achievements in the field.
Sessions at the Knowledge Summit 2019 cover broad themes in the field of sustainable development, most notably energy, and global partnership, as well as health and water, women’s empowerment, sustainable education, gender equality, and building healthy communities. The Summit showcases several countries’ plans to benefit from renewable energy sources, build resource-based economies, achieve high productivity through diversification, and adopt innovation as a means to build sustainable cities and combat climate change.
Also on the Summit’s agenda is revealing the findings of the Global Knowledge Index 2019, developed in collaboration with the UNDP to offer advanced instruments for measuring the current state of knowledge around the world, with several governments and international institutions taking part. The Index also contributes to assessing performance and generating development plans in various fields.
The Knowledge Summit 2019 includes a ceremony to honour winners of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Award, which recognises individuals and institutions from around the world who have made significant knowledge contributions to the world.
To register for the Knowledge Summit 2019, please visit the event’s official website: https://knowledgesummit.org/