DUBAI // Dubai has invested Dh120m in 19 projects in the first stage of the emirate’s Future Accelerators Programme, which ended on Sunday. The investments are in projects in education, health, infrastructure, transport, technology, energy, and security. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, is “leading a government system that encourages unconventional thinking to achieve unprecedented results”, said Mohammed Al Gergawi, managing director of Dubai Future Foundation. The aim of the UAE’s leadership was “to transform the future into reality and set a global platform to drive innovative ideas that are relevant to achieving economic and social returns by identifying quality solutions for the developmental challenges facing the world’s cities, and touching people’s lives”, Mr Al Gergawi said. Five new government and private entities will join the programme for its second stage, bringing the total number of participating organisations to 13. “We have created a platform to attract the world’s best minds as well as the most innovative companies to contribute to the national economy and achieve tangible results,” Mr Al Gergawi said. “The Future Accelerators was just an idea a few months ago. It has now become the focus of international attention as an effective platform to address global challenges, and a means by which governments can address practical aspects of cities of the future with the cooperation of the private sector and owners in the innovation space.” newsdesk@thenational.ae