Water scarcity, AI and education on the agenda at Dubai's World Government Summit

Representatives from 140 countries are expected to attend the event on February 10-12

Mohammed Al Gergawi is now a senior minister and key spokesman for the government. Pawan Singh / The National

The future of water production, climate change and artificial intelligence will be on the agenda when thousands of delegates arrive in Dubai for the World Government Summit next month.

Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and The Future, on Wednesday said the event would help to map out a better future for the world’s inhabitants.

Issues such as climate change, the use of artificial intelligence, education, healthcare and trade would all be the focus of the summit on February 10-12.

“The aim of the summit is to create a better future for all of humanity,” said Mr Al Gergawi.

“We are going to look at ways to improve the lives of all seven billion people on the planet and that means discussing issues like how to enhance education, energy, transportation and looking at the future infrastructure of cities across the world.”

He said that the event would play host to representatives from 140 countries who would be taking part in more than 200 sessions over three days.

Another key issue that would be discussed at the event was climate change, an issue that Mr Gergawi said was fundamental to the future.

The summit will host more than 600 global thought leaders, this year, including four Nobel Laureates.

"The World Government Summit attracts the leading regional and international development and civil service forums, which consider the summit a global platform to launch their dialogues and host experts from around the world,” he said.

“Today our world is connected, continuous, always changing and influenced by factors common to many governments.

“There are no developing and developed countries, just more than seven billion people looking for better health, better education, equitable access to technology, fair distribution of food and energy, and a happy and peaceful life.”

Mohammed Al Tayer, managing director and CEO of the utility company Dewa, said: “Dewa will present its strategy to produce 100 per cent desalinated water through leveraging a mix of clean energy - that uses both renewable energy and waste heat - by 2030.

“This will ensure water security and the sustainability of water production in Dubai, in addition to protecting the environment and natural resources.”

Mattar Al Tayer, director general and chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the transport authority RTA, said his agency would "present the future of global mobility".

“Dubai is seeking to be a global leader in launching innovative transit systems. In this context, RTA will exhibit an array of futuristic transit system projects that are currently in the development stage," he said.