The Aqdar World Summit was organized on 26-28 November 2018, in Abu Dhabi. This second edition of the Summit was held under the theme “Role of Human Empowerment in Developing Stable Societies: Sustainable Development”. It attracted some 1,500 participants and had on its agenda issues in line with the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations to be met by 2030.
HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior inaugurated the Summit, which was convened by the Higher Organizing Committee, under the chairmanship of Major General Alraisi, Inspector General of the Ministry of Interior. In his opening address, H.H. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Cabinet Member – Minister of Tolerance, declared: “This Summit is a powerful expression that young people represent our hopes and aspirations for a more successful and prosperous future. The Aqdar World Summit focuses on the importance of dialogue and truly shows that cooperation and positive communication between experts in the region and the world has become necessary in order to achieve progress and peace.”
UNESCO was represented at the Summit by Dr. Boyan Radoykov, from the Communication and Information Sector, who stressed that the theme of the 2018 edition is particularly relevant for the United Nations. Emphasizing that there is no development without peace, he said: “Building peace is actually building bridges – conceptual, educational, cultural and technological bridges that will allow humanity to reduce the divide of economic under-development, to alleviate the burden of women and men suffering from wars and conflicts, and also the related burden of violent extremism and radicalization of young people”. “Ultimately, all is in our capable hands and it is my profound belief that we have the necessary knowledge, the required competences and the indispensable determination to deliver on our most challenging task – to secure a better and safer world for our children and consequently leave behind a decent legacy to the future generations”, he concluded.
The Summit featured a number of sessions and workshops related to various aspects of sustainable development and human empowerment. The main sessions covered the following topics: Strategies on Empowering People, Human Development for Economy Growth, Gender Parity for a Better Society, Sustainable Education for Flourishing Countries, Sustainable Goals and Successful Partnerships, Smart Infrastructure for Sustainable Nations, Building Countries on the Foundation of Justice and Peace. The Summit agenda also included 38 scientific papers and 4 youth circles, with speakers from a number of countries such as the United Arab Emirates, the United States, China, India, Russia, Kuwait, Germany, Singapore, Jordan and Egypt.
The Aqdar World Summit, which Scientific Committee was chaired by Dr Abdulla Alraisi, Director-General of the National Archives of UAE – Under Minister, Ministry of Presidential Affairs, is considered as one of the important forums that attract a number of national and international bodies to shed the light over the above development-related topics, and to provide an opportunity to exchange knowledge, visions, and best practices and experience. The Summit also offers a platform for leaders, decision-makers, and leading companies to engage in a dialogue on a number of contemporary issues and challenges with the aim to build sustainable knowledge societies for all.