Participants in the press conference held during the annual meetings of the Global Future Councils and Cybersecurity 2025, organized by the UAE government in partnership with the World Economic Forum, emphasized that the world is currently experiencing a critical phase of technological and economic transformation. This transformation necessitates extensive global cooperation to address rapid challenges, especially cybercrime and the anticipated effects of artificial intelligence on the economy and labor markets.
Speakers collectively agreed that dialogue and knowledge exchange have become essential for creating secure and sustainable digital systems and enhancing economic resilience against global changes.
Statistics played a central role in the contributions of the attendees. Börge Brende, President and CEO of the World Economic Forum, indicated that the global economy has recorded a growth rate of 3% despite prevailing geopolitical complexities, forecasting growth to remain between 2% and 3% in the near future.
He pointed out that modern technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, which has seen investments in the United States exceeding $500 billion, could enhance global productivity by up to 30%. However, this also escalates digital threats, with annual losses to the global economy from cybercrime estimated between $2 trillion and $3 trillion, highlighting the need for coordinated international efforts to combat these risks.
Neil Gaiton, Director of Cybercrime at INTERPOL, stated that the organization, consisting of 160 countries, is dedicated to strengthening nations’ capabilities in combating cybercrime.
He affirmed that ongoing collaboration with the World Economic Forum has facilitated the implementation of specialized training programs for cybersecurity teams worldwide, underscoring that public-private partnerships are a crucial foundation for tackling digital threats.
Sina Lawson, Minister of Economy and Digital Transformation in Togo and a member of the Global Future Councils, shared her country’s experience in developing integrated digital systems during the COVID-19 pandemic.
She mentioned that Togo launched an electronic payment platform to provide financial assistance to those in need, followed by the creation of a national digital identity and a data exchange platform, emphasizing that international cooperation and the sharing of experiences among nations expedite global digital transformation.
Khalfan Balhol, Chief Executive Officer of the Dubai Future Foundation, stated that the UAE ranks as the third largest contributor to the World Economic Forum, reflecting its status as a strategic partner in shaping the future of the digital economy. He noted that the Dubai Future Foundation consolidates the outcomes of global discussions and transforms them into practical initiatives, highlighting that artificial intelligence, the digital economy, and cybersecurity will be key themes in shaping the future agenda.
At the conclusion of the session, participants underscored the importance of transitioning from dialogue to actionable implementation by establishing international frameworks to regulate the use of artificial intelligence and enhancing cooperation in combating cybercrime. They emphasized that building a secure and sustainable digital future requires collaborative efforts from governments, the private sector, and research institutions globally.