His Excellency Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of the Global Future Leaders Annual Meetings, emphasized that the world is entering a new era in which not only events and circumstances are changing, but the very “rules of change themselves” are also shifting. This new reality calls for a different understanding of leadership and a greater ability to anticipate global transformations and shape the future.<\/p>\n
His Excellency’s remarks came as the UAE continues its longstanding partnership with the World Economic Forum, a collaboration that has brought together international experts and leaders to discuss the future.<\/p>\n
Speaking during the opening address of the Global Future Leaders Annual Meetings, His Excellency said the UAE’s partnership with the World Economic Forum began in Dubai in 2008 through the Global Agenda Councils, followed by the Global Future Councils. Together, these initiatives brought more than 70 councils and 12,000 experts and leaders into discussions about the world’s future.<\/p>\n
His Excellency noted that the partnership is now entering a new chapter with Global Future Leaders, bringing together leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs from more than 100 countries who share a common ambition to build a better future for humanity.<\/p>\n
His Excellency added: “Eighteen years ago, we were asking: How do we prepare for the future? Today, we ask: How do we lead a future whose rules are constantly changing?”<\/p>\n
His Excellency explained that a single economic decision made in one capital can change the lives of millions of people. A cyberattack can disrupt the services of an entire country, while a new technology can reshape an entire economic sector worldwide.<\/p>\n
Against this backdrop, His Excellency identified three major transformations that are shaping the world and the challenges facing future leaders.<\/p>\n
His Excellency Mohammad Al Gergawi pointed to three major transformations taking place around the world, beginning with the changing global balance of power.<\/p>\n
His Excellency noted that more than 60 armed conflicts were recorded in 2025, the highest number since 1946. At the same time, global military spending reached nearly $3 trillion, marking the largest annual increase since the end of the Cold War.<\/p>\n
His Excellency explained that trade restrictions are reshaping the global landscape of manufacturing, investment, and supply chains. A decision made in a single capital can now alter trade routes and affect food and energy prices.<\/p>\n
His Excellency added that global public debt approached 94% of gross domestic product in 2025, while the International Monetary Fund expects it to reach 100% by 2029. This would limit the ability of many governments to invest in their citizens and the future of their countries.<\/p>\n
His Excellency emphasized that these developments place greater responsibility on future leaders to build economies capable of withstanding future shocks, establish partnerships that transcend divisions, and strengthen the trust that opens the door to cooperation.<\/p>\n
His Excellency stressed: “In a world where the balance of power is changing, the strength of leadership is measured by its ability to protect people’s opportunities and their future.”<\/p>\n
After addressing the changing global balance of power, His Excellency turned to the second major transformation: the future of human capabilities and technology.<\/p>\n
His Excellency Mohammad Al Gergawi explained that the second transformation concerns human capabilities and technology, raising a central question:<\/p>\n
“Is artificial intelligence today the last invention that humans will invent? And will artificial intelligence itself invent new tools, machines, and inventions in the future?”<\/p>\n
His Excellency added that the rapid development of artificial intelligence is opening a deeper discussion about humanity’s future.<\/p>\n
His Excellency said the fundamental question is how to redefine the role of humans and their skills in innovation if artificial intelligence itself becomes capable of innovating and designing new tools and machines.<\/p>\n
Beyond the transformation in human capabilities and technology, His Excellency identified a third global shift involving resources, energy, and climate.<\/p>\n
His Excellency Mohammad Al Gergawi pointed out that the third transformation concerns the future of resources, energy, and climate.<\/p>\n
His Excellency explained that, in recent years, the world has experienced the ten hottest years since modern records began. At the same time, renewable energy accounted for approximately 86% of new electricity capacity additions worldwide in 2025.<\/p>\n
His Excellency said the world faces unprecedented challenges, but at the same time possesses solutions that were not available to previous generations.<\/p>\n
His Excellency emphasized that progress in the coming period will depend on how quickly these solutions can be turned into tangible results.<\/p>\n
His Excellency Mohammad Al Gergawi stressed that rapid global transformations require a new understanding of leadership.<\/p>\n
His Excellency pointed to five essential qualities of a future leader, beginning with the ability to anticipate transformations before they happen, rather than merely responding to them after they occur.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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