Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed Witnesses Opening of Global Investment Forum in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, attended the opening ceremony of the 8th edition of the Global Investment Forum. The event is organized by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and is being held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)
The forum's inauguration was graced by the presence of His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Finance. Also in attendance were several world leaders, including His Excellency Jose Ramos-Horta, President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, His Excellency Faure Gnassingbé, President of Togo, His Excellency Akylbek Japarov, Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan, Her Excellency Manu Soro Kamikamica, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade and Small and Medium Enterprises in Fiji, His Excellency Jassem Al-Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Her Excellency Rebecca Greenspan, Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, and Her Excellency Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Speaker of the Parliament of Bangladesh.
His Highness Sheikh Khalid emphasized that the United Arab Emirates' hosting of the Global Investment Forum for the first time reflects the country's pivotal role in enhancing the global economy. This role involves facilitating international trade and investment, creating a supportive environment for the finance and business sectors, and emphasizing the commitment to promoting innovation, sustainability, and international partnerships.
He underscored the forum's importance as a platform for addressing current challenges and finding sustainable solutions through common vision. These solutions aim to drive development and progress worldwide by directing investment towards sustainable projects in vital sectors such as renewable energy, healthcare, smart infrastructure development, and advanced technological solutions to address the challenges faced by developing countries, ultimately contributing to a knowledge-based global economy.
His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Finance, highlighted the significance of Abu Dhabi's hosting of the Global Investment Forum for the first time. With the participation of representatives from 160 countries, this reflects the international community's trust in the UAE's ability to create favorable conditions for positive dialogue. The aim is to promote international economic cooperation, unify visions, and consolidate efforts towards effective policies and strategies to overcome cross-border investment challenges, ensuring all necessary means to enhance global investment, establish new partnerships, and reinforce existing ones. This serves the future of economic development with a visionary outlook that inspires the aspirations of peoples and achieves economic progress and prosperity for diverse communities worldwide.
He also acknowledged the event's value in exploring new avenues of cooperation, strengthening trust, and working together to ensure new guarantees that maximize opportunities for all, particularly for developing economies, allowing them a broader space for equitable development. This focus emphasizes vital areas served by knowledge-based economies, in which the UAE has made significant progress, reinforcing its competitiveness within various global economic indicators.
During the event, His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan conducted a tour of the exhibition accompanying the forum, along with His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the participating heads of state and government. The tour provided an opportunity to learn about the latest developments in global investment and its trends. His Highness also highlighted the UAE's vast investment opportunities and essential initiatives that support sustainable development, including the "Made in UAE" initiative.
The forum, held under the theme "Investing in Sustainable Development," brings together more than 7,000 government officials, decision-makers, business leaders, and investors from 160 countries to discuss vital issues such as climate action, clean energy, healthcare, and food security. The forum, supported by the Ministry of Economy and the Department of Economic Development in Abu Dhabi, aims to introduce the features and programs of the "Economy of the Falcon," which guides the Emirate towards the next phase of economic diversification, smart and inclusive economic growth, and sustainable development. Additionally, the forum includes panel discussions and interactive workshops to review the "Made in UAE" initiative, aimed at developing the country's industrial sector in line with the UAE's strategic initiative to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.