Participants in the press conference held alongside the annual meetings of the Global Future Councils and Cybersecurity 2025, organized by the UAE government in collaboration with the World Economic Forum, emphasized that the world is undergoing a critical phase of technological and economic transformation. This transformation necessitates broad global cooperation to address accelerating challenges, particularly cybercrime and the anticipated impacts of artificial intelligence on the economy and labor market.
The speakers unanimously agreed that dialogue and knowledge sharing are essential for building secure and sustainable digital systems while enhancing economic resilience in the face of global changes.
Statistics played a central role in the participants’ remarks, with Børge Brende, President and CEO of the World Economic Forum, indicating that the global economy recorded a growth of 3% despite current geopolitical complexities. He projected that growth would range from 2% to 3% in the near future.
He noted that modern technologies, especially artificial intelligence—which has seen investments exceed $500 billion in the United States—could increase global productivity by up to 30%. However, this also contributes to rising digital threats, with global economic losses from cybercrime estimated at $2 to $3 trillion annually, highlighting the need for international cooperation to tackle these risks.
Neil Gaiton, Director of Cybercrime at Interpol, explained that the organization, comprising 160 countries, is focused on enhancing national capacities to confront cybercrimes.
He confirmed that ongoing collaboration with the World Economic Forum has facilitated the implementation of specialized training programs for cybersecurity teams worldwide, noting that partnerships between the public and private sectors are crucial in combating digital threats.
Additionally, Syna 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 stated that during the pandemic, Togo launched an electronic payment platform to provide financial assistance to those in need, followed by the establishment of a national digital identity and a data exchange platform. Lawson emphasized that international cooperation and the sharing of experiences among countries accelerate global digital transformation.
Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation, remarked that the UAE ranks as the third-largest representative in 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 outcomes from global discussions into practical initiatives, highlighting that artificial intelligence, digital economy, and cybersecurity will be key topics in shaping future agendas.
In closing, participants underscored the importance of transitioning from dialogue to practical implementation by establishing international frameworks to regulate the use of artificial intelligence and enhance collaboration in combating cybercrime. They stressed that building a secure and sustainable digital future requires the concerted efforts of governments, the private sector, and research institutions worldwide.