Under the esteemed patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the “Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Forum” commenced today at the Dubai World Trade Centre. This annual event is renowned as a significant gathering focused on management and leadership.
The forum brings together approximately 1,000 key leaders from both the public and private sectors in Dubai to discuss future managerial and leadership transformations aimed at solidifying best practices in leadership and management. This aligns with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s vision of making Dubai the best city in the world.
The forum, organized by the Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Leadership Development, embodies the proactive vision of His Highness, emphasizing his innovative approach to preparing leaders who can spearhead sustainable development across various sectors.
Continuous Transformations
According to His Excellency Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Chief Executive Officer of the office of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Leadership Development, “The Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Forum unites more than 1,000 Dubai leaders alongside a select group of global experts across various fields to discuss how to achieve His Highness’s vision of making Dubai the best city in the world.”
This forum vividly illustrates a principle believed by His Highness: leadership is an ongoing act of change and transformation, ensuring that Dubai does not rest on past achievements but constantly seeks new and continuous transformations, aiming for even greater accomplishments.
He added, “Today’s forum serves as a powerful engine for new transformations in Dubai, for preparing new leaders to drive these changes, and for collective thinking and decision-making that align with the priorities outlined by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s vision, which focuses on empowering individuals, building the economy of the future, and developing tomorrow’s cities.”
The forum seeks to leverage technology to enhance the quality of life, ensuring that its outcomes, inspired by His Highness’s leadership philosophy, will serve as a new roadmap for every leader in every sector and institution, guaranteeing the continuation of excellence and reinforcing Dubai’s global leadership model in sustainable development and positive transformation.
Rich Agenda
The agenda of the Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Forum is rich, featuring discussion sessions, workshops, and strategic dialogues led by international experts in management and leadership.
The forum opens with a keynote address by His Excellency Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi titled “Why the Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Forum?” It also includes five executive councils: the Cultural and Media Identity Leaders Council, the Dubai Economic Leaders Council, the Future City Leaders Council, the Community Integration Leaders Council, and the Dubai Technology and Digital Leaders Council.
Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, will deliver an opening address during the Cultural and Media Identity Leaders Council, focusing on reinforcing Dubai’s identity and enhancing its cultural and creative presence, exploring how heritage and innovation can deepen Dubai’s status as a cultural diversity hub and a global creativity destination.
This council will host a session led by Simon Anholt, global advisor and founder of the “Good Country Index,” titled “The Story That Doesn’t Need Telling,” as well as a leadership workshop entitled “The Next Memory: Dubai as It Should Be Told.”
Enhancing Competitiveness
His Excellency Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, will address the opening of the Dubai Economic Leaders Council, focusing on economic, investment, and financial sectors while examining the possibilities that enhance Dubai’s competitiveness as a global economic capital.
This council includes a session titled “Economic Transformations in the Coming Decade,” presented by Eric Peloma, Director of the Hays Center for New Horizons at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, along with a leadership workshop titled “How Do Economists Think?”
Future City
The Future City Leaders Council emphasizes crafting smart, sustainable cities centered around people and built for their benefit, discussing the role of infrastructure, innovative transportation, and urban innovation in shaping integrated cities for the future.
The council will feature an opening speech by His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai. A session titled “Map of Future Cities: From Vision to Implementation” will include speaker Umberto Vogliando, Head of Research and Partnerships at the “Sensory Cities” Lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, along with a leadership workshop titled “How Do We Design the City of the Future?”
Community Integration
Her Excellency Hessa bint Issa Bu Hamid, Director General of the Community Development Authority in Dubai, will open the Community Integration Leaders Council, which focuses on building a cohesive society based on social cohesion, prosperity, and quality of life, while promoting policies and initiatives to ensure the well-being of all community members.
This council will feature a session entitled “Cities That Flourish with Humanity,” presented by Andrew Tuck, Editor-in-Chief of Monocle Magazine, and a leadership workshop titled “How Do We Serve Humanity for a Better Life in Dubai?”
Digital Transformation
The Dubai Technology and Digital Leaders Council, commencing with a speech from Hamad Obaid Al Mansouri, Director General of Dubai Digital, focuses on digital transformation and the development of AI applications, while anticipating the future of services and cybersecurity, thereby enhancing Dubai’s position as a global center for advanced innovation and technology.
This council will host a session titled “Technological and Digital Transformations in the Coming Decade,” featuring Yuri Maksimov, co-founder of the global tech firm Positive Technologies, along with a leadership workshop titled “Leading in the Age of AI.”
Conscious Leadership
Dr. Tasha Eurich, a corporate psychologist and best-selling author, will discuss the significance of conscious leadership in achieving strategic goals amid rapid developments and high stakes during a session titled “How Leaders Start with Themselves First?” Additionally, Dr. Tasha will facilitate a masterclass entitled “The Power of Awareness: A System for Speed, Excellence, and Team Spirit.”
The forum will also conduct a session titled “How to Create a Lasting Leadership Impact?” featuring speaker Todd Henry, an acclaimed author on leadership and management.
Best City in the World
Within the forum, there will be a panel discussion titled “How to Achieve Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s Vision of Dubai as the Best City in the World,” with participation from His Excellency Abdullah Mohammed Al Basti, Secretary General of the Executive Council of Dubai, Engineer Marwan Ahmed Bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality, Ayesha Abdullah Miran, Director General of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai, Dr. Amer Sharif, CEO of Dubai Health Authority, and Omar Hamad Bushhab, Director General of the Dubai Land Department.
Interactive Discussions
The forum will also feature a discussion on the “Philosophy of Free Trade in Dubai,” including contributions from His Excellency Abdulaziz Abdullah Al Ghurair, Chairman of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, and Mohammad Al Abbar, founder of Emaar and Noon, along with his role as Chairman of Eagle Hills.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Forum aims to graduate participants from the Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Leadership Development’s programs, cultivating new leaders who share His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s philosophies on leadership and management. It fosters the continuation of Dubai’s leadership journey and provides a platform for exchanging experiences and showcasing global success stories, enhancing leadership capabilities, and preparing them to face challenges with agility and innovation.
The forum also aspires to promote collective strategic thinking in decision-making, prioritize actions, and establish a sustainable framework for nurturing and developing leaders equipped to skillfully handle rapid global changes.
Her Highness Latifa bint Mohammed gives an opening remark during the “Cultural and Media Identity Leaders Council.”
The “Dubai Economic Leaders Council” evaluates possibilities to boost the emirate’s competitiveness.
The “Future City Leaders Council” discusses smart city development.
The “Community Integration Leaders Council” focuses on building a cohesive community.
The “Dubai Technology and Digital Leaders Council” anticipates the future of services and cybersecurity.
A panel discussion featuring Abdullah Al Basti, Marwan Bin Ghalita, Ayesha Miran, Amer Sharif, and Omar Bushhab.
Discussion sessions and workshops presented by global experts.
Mohammed Al Gergawi
The forum’s outcomes will establish a new roadmap for every leader in all sectors, reinforcing Dubai’s global leadership model in sustainable development and positive transformation.