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11/20/24, 9:13 AM Latifa Bint Mohammed Inaugurates 9th Edition Of The Knowledge Summit - UAE Today
Latifa Bint Mohammed Inaugurates 9th Edition Of The Knowledge Summit

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Her Highness Sheikha
Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) andMember of the Dubai Council, inaugurated the 9th
editionyy of the Knowledge Summit, one of the world’s leading platforms for sharing insights and experiences on the future of knowledge and innovation.

The Summit, organised by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP), is taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre and will continue until 19 November 2024.
Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoumsaid that the Knowledge Summit has established itself as a leading global platform, bringing together
experts, researchers, academics, thought leaders, and decision-makers from across the globe. The Summit drives the exchange of ideas and perspectives, underscoring the
importance of knowledge in shaping the future and addressing humanity’s most pressing challenges. It also enhances Dubai’s position as a global centre for innovation and
intellectual progress, she said.
“The Summit plays a crucial role in fostering knowledge-based societies, emphasising the need for enhanced international collaboration to drive global progress, prosperity,
and sustainable development. By embracing creativity, we can advance individuals, communities, and nations, as exemplified by building economies rooted in knowledge and
innovation. This vision prioritises cultivating future generations of skilled talent, harnessing the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI), and investing in its
capabilities to achieve a comprehensive development renaissance. By merging human ingenuity with technological power, AI emerges as a key driver of progressand new
opportunities,” Her Highness said.
In his speech at the Summit, His Excellency Jamal bin Huwaireb, CEO of the MBRF, underscored the Knowledge Summit's emergence as a cornerstone among leading global
events focused on knowledge and innovation. He highlighted its role as a unifying platform for shared visions and collective goals, positioning knowledge as a critical pillar
for creating a sustainable and prosperous future for the region and new generations.

His Excellency stated: “This year’s theme, ‘Future Skills and AI Economy,’ aligns with the nation’s commitment to cultivating a knowledge-based economy and leveraging the
transformative power of AI across various sectors. It also underscores Dubai’s leadership in the knowledge sector and its commitment to driving innovation as a key enabler of
growth.”

“The event reflects the joint efforts of MBRF and UNDP to advance the knowledge economy and empower individuals and institutions to utilise knowledge as a
transformative tool. The Summit aims to improve community well-being and achieve comprehensive economic and intellectual development, further cementing the UAE’s
position as a global hub for progress and innovation.”
Global Knowledge Index 2024 Results

On the first day of the Summit, the 2024 Global Knowledge Index (GKI) results were announced, with Sweden claiming the top spot, followed by Finland and Switzerland in
second and third place. The United Arab Emirates also achieved the highest ranking among Arab countries.Over the years, the GKI has earned its reputation as a
comprehensive measure of a nation’s knowledge capacity, incorporating benchmarks across education, scientific research, innovation, and information technology (IT). The
Index also introduced insights into upcoming developments, including the integration of new variables and components designed to align with the rapidly evolving global
landscape and trends.

His Excellency Dr. Abdallah Al Dardari, UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Assistant Administrator and Director of the UNDP Regional Bureau for the Arab States,
said: “The pursuit of knowledge production, dissemination, and utilisation is not merely a choice but a critical necessity for advancing sustainable development. This is why
the Knowledge Project, emerging from the Arab region to the global stage, introduces an innovative framework for assessing knowledge levels across all nations."
He added: “The Global Knowledge Index (GKI) does more than evaluate knowledge; it also gauges our capacity to navigate the rapid transformations of the Fifth Industrial
Revolution. This era is defined by swift advancements in cutting-edge technologies and integrated digital connectivity, posing unique opportunities and unprecedented
challenges to our societies and economies. It penetrates the core of every institution—be it commercial or governmental—at a pace never seen before.”
Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum also honoured the winners of theMohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Award 2024. This
year’s honourees—His Excellency Juma Al Majid, Dr. Andrew Ng, Dr. David M. Clark, Dr. Anke Ehlers and Dr. Ahmed Eid Khamis Thani Almheiri,—were recognised for
their outstanding global contributions to science, knowledge, and innovation. The Award celebrates individuals whose efforts are devoted to advancing humanity through the
transformative power of knowledge and innovation.
Additionally, the Summit hosted the 3rd UNESCO World Open Educational Resources (OER) Congress for the first time in the Arab world. Organised by the United Nations
Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Congress brought together senior officials, decision-makers, and ministers from across the globe to foster
international digital collaboration and advance the global conversation on open educational resources.
The inaugural meeting of the Global Coalition for Skills Development was also held during the first day of the Knowledge Summit 2024, marking a significant milestone in
advancing skills for the future. The Coalition’s primary objective is to establish a broad international network to support the Future Skills Academy initiative jointly launched
by the MBRF and UNDP. The Coalition aims to strengthen national capacities and promote skill development among younger generations across the Arab region, ensuring
their readiness for future opportunities.

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