Dubai: Dubai Media Council, in collaboration with Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business, hosted the 'Dubai Rising: Building Tomorrow's Global Business Capital' conference at the Museum of the Future. The exclusive, closed-door gathering convened a distinguished group of policymakers, business leaders, media professionals, and scholars from the UAE, the United States, and beyond, fostering candid discussions on Dubai's strategic vision for global commerce and sustainable economic growth.
According to Emirates News Agency, the conference featured 19 high-level speakers who shared insights into policies, investments, and technological advancements playing a central role in Dubai's economic transformation. The event aligns with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, to enhance Dubai's role in driving sustainable growth and shared prosperity worldwide. It also directly supports the Dubai Economic Agenda 'D33', a strategic roadmap aimed at doubling Dubai's GDP by 2033 and positioning the emirate as a global economic powerhouse.
Delivered by Mohammad Ali bin Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers, the keynote outlined the D33 economic agenda and its goals, emphasizing essential economic development pillars such as attracting and nurturing external investment, embracing digital transformation, incorporating sustainable initiatives, and advancing societal development efforts to attract, support, and retain talent.
Four key panel discussions covered various topics, with subject experts providing valuable commentary and insights for attendees. Key takeaways from the first panel discussion titled 'Designing and Communicating the Physical, Digital, and Social Infrastructure of Tomorrow' included an outline of the social agenda, which was announced in support of the D33 economic agenda by Maitha Mohammed Al Shamsi, CEO of the Community Empowerment Sector at the Community Development Authority (CDA) in Dubai, and key developments that will enable people to continue to grow and thrive in Dubai.
Mohamed AlMulla, CEO of Dubai Media and Member of the Dubai Media Council, outlined that technical evolution continues to drive economic success, emphasizing the importance of a disruptive mindset to evolve. Dr. Marwan Al Zarouni, CEO of AI for the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), added that digital goals are integral to Dubai's broader economic vision, making the Government of Dubai a pioneer in this approach.
The second panel deliberated on 'The Global Business Landscape: Challenges and Opportunities for the UAE and Dubai.' Martina A. Strong, Ambassador of the United States to the UAE, highlighted Dubai's significance as a dynamic location for business, enabling connections with Africa, Europe, and Asia. Sima Ved, Founder and CEO of Apparel Group, noted that Dubai serves as a model for international market expansion.
Reena Aggarwal, Professor and Director of the Psaros Center for Financial Markets and Policy at Georgetown McDonough's School of Business, observed Dubai's strategy of diversifying sectors and international partners for economic stability. The panel on 'Financing Infrastructure Investment: The Next 10 Years' provided insights on infrastructure, with Salmaan Jaffery, Chief Business Development Officer at DIFC, commenting on the importance of legislative and regulatory frameworks.
The final panel, discussing 'AI, Technology and a Changing Business Environment,' featured Dr. Karim El Solh from Gulf Capital, who emphasized the role of AI in their growth. Rostin Behnam, former Chairman of the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission, addressed the regulatory challenges of AI. Raakin Iqbal, Founder and CEO of NucleusAI, noted Dubai's leading role in governmental innovation.
Nehal Badri, Secretary General of the Dubai Media Council, commented on the event's success, emphasizing the power of knowledge exchange and cross-sector collaboration. Paul Almeida, Dean of Georgetown McDonough School of Business, highlighted the significance of collaboration in shaping a sustainable future for global commerce.
The event concluded with insights from Georgetown's Psaros Center for Financial Markets and Policy and Steers Center for Global Real Estate, with benefactors Michael Psaros and Robert Steers discussing their research and activities, enriched by the university's presence in Dubai.
This exclusive gathering not only fostered thought-provoking discussions but also laid the groundwork for future partnerships and initiatives that will further elevate Dubai's position as a global business hub.