Oliver Cann, Head of Media Content, Public Engagement, Tel: +41 79 799 3405; Email: Oliver.Cann@weforum.org
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 26 October 2015 – The Fourth Industrial Revolution – the wave of new technologies and innovations that will change practically all aspects of life – is coming, and the world and every individual needs to prepare for its impact, warned Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, in the opening plenary of the Forum’s eighth Summit on the Global Agenda.
“The new technology age, if we shape it and contribute to it in a responsive and responsible way, can catalyse a new cultural renaissance that will enable us to feel a part of something much larger than ourselves – a true global civilization.” But, added Schwab, this preparation requires thinking about the key global challenges “in an integrated way, with the public and private sectors working together: the best minds in the world. That is how we can define the issues in a strategic and proactive way and create possible solutions and action.”
Entrepreneurship and nimbleness will be important attributes of success in a world where changes are coming not in small waves but like a tsunami, Schwab argued. An important task is to ensure that the fast pace of innovation is matched by agility in setting rules, norms and standards for this evolving new world. He concluded: “In the future it will not be the big fish that eat the small fish; it will be the fast fish that eat the slow fish.”
The Summit on the Global Agenda 2015 brings together more than 900 thought leaders and experts from business, government, civil society, academia and the media, who are among the members of the Forum’s network of over 80 Global Agenda Councils. They are focused on finding innovative solutions and approaches to key global challenges, such as achieving inclusive growth and addressing climate change and natural resources security.
The Co-Chairs are Sultan Saeed Nasser AlMansoori, Minister of Economy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Ali Majed Al Mansoori, Chairman of the Department of Economic Development of Abu Dhabi, both of whom addressed participants in the opening plenary. “Innovation is the driver of efficiency and sustainability,” said Sultan Saeed Nasser AlMansoori, in outlining the UAE’s drive to create a national culture of innovation. He stressed the need for collaboration. “Solutions to some of the pressing global challenges lie in sincere partnership between rich and poor nations; between large, small and medium-sized enterprises; and between global organizations and specialized entities.”
“This summit is the place to collectively share and explore our methodologies and practices to reach sustainable solutions to global challenges and opportunities. This principle of long-term thinking is a critical element of our discussions.” Added Ali Majed Al Mansoori.
Notes to Editors
The Host broadcaster for the Summit is Abu Dhabi Media.