The World Government Summit The National
The World Government Summit The National
The World Government Summit The National
The World Government Summit The National

Opinion

Editorial

The World Government Summit can help get the planet back on track

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Insight and opinion from The National’s editorial leadership

March 09, 2022

There may not be any one formula for effective governance. But that has not stopped academics and philosophers over the centuries from trying to make one. In ancient Greece, Plato imagined what the ideal state might look like. The Roman statesman Cicero took up the exercise three centuries later, writing a 400-page book, On Government, and the Islamic scholar Al Farabi made a similar effort 1,000 years after that.

Napoleon Bonaparte, one of history’s most formidable practitioners of statecraft, once said "a leader is a dealer in hope". He would have had a tough time applying this aphorism in 2022. In just its first three months, Covid-19, new wars, a historic refugee crisis and a global economy under threat are already undermining earlier optimism that 2022 might be a year of recovery for the world.

But leadership is about navigating the bad as well as the good; "Hard times create strong men", wrote author G Michael Hopf in a post-apocalyptic novel. We are far from this level of catastrophe, but there is little doubt that current hardship is forming a new generation of remarkable people who can help get the world out of it.

Finding and empowering them is an important part of the World Government Summit, which this year will be held in Dubai on March 29 and 30. The event gives thousands of the world's most senior politicians, government officials and experts a forum to discuss positive ways forward. This year, topics include post-pandemic recovery, sustainability, health care, cities of the future and managing the Metaverse.

Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and chairman of the World Government Summit Organisation, speaks at the WGS Dialogue at the Museum of the Future in Dubai. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and chairman of the World Government Summit Organisation, speaks at the WGS Dialogue at the Museum of the Future in Dubai. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
Since its inception in 2013, the summit has championed the mission of shaping future governments and creating a better future for humanity.
Since its inception in 2013, the summit has championed the mission of shaping future governments and creating a better future for humanity.
Shamma Al Mazrui, Minister of State for Youth, at the event.
Shamma Al Mazrui, Minister of State for Youth, at the event.
The summit has established a new model to collaborate on an international level.
The summit has established a new model to collaborate on an international level.
Abdulla bin Touq, Minister of Economy. One of the themes of this year's event is how to quicken the pace of the global recovery.
Abdulla bin Touq, Minister of Economy. One of the themes of this year's event is how to quicken the pace of the global recovery.
The summit is also intended to come up with government policies that support development.
The summit is also intended to come up with government policies that support development.
Omar Al Olama, Minister of State for Digital Economy, AI and Remote Working System, and managing director of the World Government Summit Organisation.
Omar Al Olama, Minister of State for Digital Economy, AI and Remote Working System, and managing director of the World Government Summit Organisation.
Ohoud Al Roumi, Minister of State for Governmental Development and Future, and vice chairwoman of the World Government Summit Organisation.
Ohoud Al Roumi, Minister of State for Governmental Development and Future, and vice chairwoman of the World Government Summit Organisation.
From left, Mr Al Olama, Ms Al Roumi, Mr bin Touq and Ms Mazrui address delegates at the WGS Dialogue held at the Museum of the Future in Dubai.
From left, Mr Al Olama, Ms Al Roumi, Mr bin Touq and Ms Mazrui address delegates at the WGS Dialogue held at the Museum of the Future in Dubai.
Mr Al Gergawi has in the past outlined the summit's focus on technology and its impact on future governments, health and quality of life, environment and climate change, trade and international co-operation, education and its relationship to the labour market, information and communication between governments and people, and the future of individuals, communities and policies.
Mr Al Gergawi has in the past outlined the summit's focus on technology and its impact on future governments, health and quality of life, environment and climate change, trade and international co-operation, education and its relationship to the labour market, information and communication between governments and people, and the future of individuals, communities and policies.

The conference will not solve the world's problems. Instead, it is about anticipating and preparing for future ones. The WGS has form in this regard. In 2018, World Health Organisation Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told leaders gathered in Dubai that the world was unprepared to face a global pandemic. Just one year later, his organisation was informed of a cluster of unexplained pneumonia cases in the Chinese city of Wuhan, the earliest instances of what was soon identified as Covid-19. At the 2017 summit, Elon Musk pre­dicted the rise of online virtual worlds, and the year before that Jesse Powell, a cryptocurrency entrepre­neur, discussed the rise of Bitcoin.

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In today's world, where the responsibilities and influence of the public and private sectors have never been more intertwined, it is particularly important to consult a variety of stakeholders in the conversation on boosting global preparedness. That is why this year's agenda will include events such as the Forum for Women in Government, the Global Metaverse Forum, the Time 100 Gala, in which the magazine reveals its annual list of most influential people globally, as well as the Global Crypto Forum.

Besides its role as host, the Arab world will have plenty of representation, in the form of both the Arab Meeting for Young Leaders and the Arab Government Administration Forum. Among the more than 30 agencies in attendance will be the Arab Monetary Fund and the Islamic Development bank. At a curtain-raiser event held at the newly opened Museum of the Future in Dubai, Abdulla bin Touq, Minister of Economy, announced the event will include the Investopia Investment Summit, an initiative to double the size of the UAE’s economy by 2030.

This is all taking place in a country that was one of the first to safely re-open for mass international gatherings, which are so important for global diplomacy. The event will be held at the heart of the site of Expo 2020 Dubai, a space that survived and eventually thrived during some of the most difficult years in a generation. It is fitting that at its close, so many people committed to a better, more resilient future will gather there as the world makes more steps on its road to recovery.

A Bad Moms Christmas
Dir: John Lucas and Scott Moore
Starring: Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn, Kristen Bell, Susan Sarandon, Christine Baranski, Cheryl Hines
Two stars

'Dark Waters'

Directed by: Todd Haynes

Starring: Mark Ruffalo, Anne Hathaway, William Jackson Harper 

Rating: ****

Specs

Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request

Fixture and table

UAE finals day: Friday, April 13 at Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City

  • 3pm, UAE Conference: Dubai Tigers v Sharjah Wanderers
  • 6.30pm, UAE Premiership: Dubai Exiles v Abu Dhabi Harlequins

 

UAE Premiership – final standings

  1. Dubai Exiles
  2. Abu Dhabi Harlequins
  3. Jebel Ali Dragons
  4. Dubai Hurricanes
  5. Dubai Sports City Eagles
  6. Abu Dhabi Saracens
FFP EXPLAINED

What is Financial Fair Play?
Introduced in 2011 by Uefa, European football’s governing body, it demands that clubs live within their means. Chiefly, spend within their income and not make substantial losses.

What the rules dictate?
The second phase of its implementation limits losses to €30 million (Dh136m) over three seasons. Extra expenditure is permitted for investment in sustainable areas (youth academies, stadium development, etc). Money provided by owners is not viewed as income. Revenue from “related parties” to those owners is assessed by Uefa's “financial control body” to be sure it is a fair value, or in line with market prices.

What are the penalties?
There are a number of punishments, including fines, a loss of prize money or having to reduce squad size for European competition – as happened to PSG in 2014. There is even the threat of a competition ban, which could in theory lead to PSG’s suspension from the Uefa Champions League.

FINAL RESULT

Sharjah Wanderers 20 Dubai Tigers 25 (After extra-time)

Wanderers
Tries: Gormley, Penalty
cons: Flaherty
Pens: Flaherty 2

Tigers
Tries: O’Donnell, Gibbons, Kelly
Cons: Caldwell 2
Pens: Caldwell, Cross

Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Raha%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Kuwait%2FSaudi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Tech%20Logistics%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2414%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Soor%20Capital%2C%20eWTP%20Arabia%20Capital%2C%20Aujan%20Enterprises%2C%20Nox%20Management%2C%20Cedar%20Mundi%20Ventures%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20166%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Your Guide to the Home
  • Level 1 has a valet service if you choose not to park in the basement level. This level houses all the kitchenware, including covetable brand French Bull, along with a wide array of outdoor furnishings, lamps and lighting solutions, textiles like curtains, towels, cushions and bedding, and plenty of other home accessories.
  • Level 2 features curated inspiration zones and solutions for bedrooms, living rooms and dining spaces. This is also where you’d go to customise your sofas and beds, and pick and choose from more than a dozen mattress options.
  • Level 3 features The Home’s “man cave” set-up and a display of industrial and rustic furnishings. This level also has a mother’s room, a play area for children with staff to watch over the kids, furniture for nurseries and children’s rooms, and the store’s design studio.
     
The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Plastic tipping points
ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA

Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi

Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser

Rating: 4.5/5

On Women's Day
About Okadoc

Date started: Okadoc, 2018

Founder/CEO: Fodhil Benturquia

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: Healthcare

Size: (employees/revenue) 40 staff; undisclosed revenues recording “double-digit” monthly growth

Funding stage: Series B fundraising round to conclude in February

Investors: Undisclosed

The Details

Article 15
Produced by: Carnival Cinemas, Zee Studios
Directed by: Anubhav Sinha
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Kumud Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, Sayani Gupta, Zeeshan Ayyub
Our rating: 4/5 

Squad

Ali Kasheif, Salim Rashid, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Khalfan Mubarak, Ali Mabkhout, Omar Abdulrahman, Mohammed Al Attas, Abdullah Ramadan, Zayed Al Ameri (Al Jazira), Mohammed Al Shamsi, Hamdan Al Kamali, Mohammed Barghash, Khalil Al Hammadi (Al Wahda), Khalid Essa, Mohammed Shaker, Ahmed Barman, Bandar Al Ahbabi (Al Ain), Al Hassan Saleh, Majid Suroor (Sharjah) Walid Abbas, Ahmed Khalil (Shabab Al Ahli), Tariq Ahmed, Jasim Yaqoub (Al Nasr), Ali Saleh, Ali Salmeen (Al Wasl), Hassan Al Muharami (Baniyas) 

In numbers: China in Dubai

The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000

Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000

Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent

The specs

Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8

Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm

Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km

Price: Dh380,000

On sale: now 

Updated: March 09, 2022, 3:00 AM`
UAEDubai