- Dubai Future Forum 2024 Convenes Global Connectivity of Futurists
- Some 150 leading thought leaders gather in Dubai to explore opportunities for shaping humanity’s future
- “The Dubai Future Forum’s outcomes will guide governments, societies, and institutions worldwide as they plan their futures”, says Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF)
By: Muhammad Arif, Editor NSN.Asia
DUBAI: The Dubai Future Forum 2024, held from 19-20 November at the Museum of the Future, convened the global connectivity of 150 thought leaders and 2,500 experts in Dubai; to explore new pathways for a better tomorrow; and to shape pressing global issues related to sustainability, technology, and societal transformation.
The Dubai Future Forum became the connectivity point for the world’s futurists, bringing together more than 2,500 participants from around 100 countries, alongside over 150 speakers, including government officials, CEOs, academics, decision-makers, thought leaders, and futurists.
The forum features 70 sessions dedicated to exploring key trends and shaping global strategies for the future.
Being on the maritime Silk Road, Dubai’s rise as a leading global city has been driven by its forward-thinking ideas and visionary projects.
In the 1950s, Rashid bin Saeed laid the groundwork for Dubai’s advancement. Today, under His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s leadership, the UAE continues to spearhead the Arab world’s renaissance and play a leading role in shaping a brighter global future.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), attended the Dubai Future Forum 2024.
In his remarks, Sheikh Hamdan emphasised Dubai’s standing as a global pathbreaker in designing the future and anticipating emerging trends and opportunities, guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai.
Sheikh Hamdan said: “The Dubai Future Forum has established itself as one of the world’s top gatherings of futurists, enabling the global community to keep pace with rapid changes while highlighting new opportunities. The forum’s outcomes will guide governments, societies, and institutions worldwide as they plan their futures.”
“Dubai remains resolutely optimistic about the future. Through the Dubai Future Forum, we are committed to bridging the gap and uniting futurists, academics, and researchers with policymakers, officials, and regulators. We will continue to build international cooperation partnerships that enable us to imagine the future and bring our ambitions to life,” Sheikh Hamdan commented.
Sheikh Hamdan also visited the Dubai Future Solutions – Prototypes for Humanity exhibition, which showcases 100 innovative projects from around the world that address the most pressing challenges facing the world.
The initiative, overseen by Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), provides a global platform for university students and academics to showcase groundbreaking solutions to complex problems facing humanity. The initiative’s key partners include the Dubai Future Foundation, Dubai Culture, Dubai International Financial Centre, and the Hussain Sajwani – DAMAC Foundation, which recently committed AED100 million to advancing innovation and technology in Dubai.
Sheikh Hamdan also met with 42 graduates from the first cohort of FEEL: A Disruptive Futures Programme. Launched by DFF, the programme equips participants with the skills to capitalise on emerging opportunities and strategically prepare plans for the future.
Additionally, H.H. attended the graduation ceremony for 20 standout prospects who were part of the fourth batch of the Dubai Future Experts Programme. Led by The Executive Council of Dubai and DFF, the programme is designed to certify future experts within the Dubai government in collaboration with leading future foresight specialists from around the world. H.H. highlighted the crucial role of these graduates in driving innovation and transformation within the government sector.
In his welcome address at the #DubaiFutureForum 2024, HE Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of Dubai Future Foundation, highlighted the incredible opportunities that lie ahead for humanity.
The opening day of the Dubai Future Forum featured seven plenary sessions in addition to 15 thematic sessions that focused on five key themes: Foresight Insights, Transforming Humanity, Futuring Nature, Empowering Generations, and Optimising Health.
The opening day also featured three workshops – ‘Shaping Health Futures: What Actions Today Will Build a Healthier Tomorrow?’, hosted by the World Health Organisation and the Museum of Discovery; ‘Flipping the Script: How Can Films Shape Positive AI Futures?’, hosted by the Future of Life Institute; and ‘Future of Life, Future of Making: A New Material Culture?’, hosted by ARUP.
Under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, the event featured over 70 sessions, including thematic panels, workshops, and interactive sessions focusing on critical areas like environmental action, healthcare innovation, and future foresight tools.
Notably, the forum included an “Arab-driven” panel with pioneering figures such as astronaut Sarah Sabry and deep-sea explorer Prof. Oussama Khatib, underscoring the region’s growing influence in scientific and technological exploration.
The 2024 edition of Dubai Future Forum extended beyond the Museum of the Future, offering a variety of city-wide events designed to engage Dubai’s residents and international visitors. These included film screenings at Cinema Akil in Alserkal Avenue, showcasing stories of futuristic challenges, and the “Nomadic Futures” workshop at Al Qouz, which aims to merge cultural narratives with technology to reshape our collective future.
Unique interactive sessions, such as the “Play-Full Futures” activation and “Foresight Games Showcase,” invited participants to explore community-driven future design.
On Day 2 of the forum continued with workshops and thought-provoking panels like “The Future of Humanity in Time and Space,” featuring Omran Sharaf and Michael Madsen, and “Winning with Foresight,” highlighted the forum’s commitment to addressing the needs of future generations in a rapidly changing world.
Sara Sabry, a pioneering astronaut and advocate for change, joined the Dubai Future Forum to discuss how the frontiers of space and ocean exploration can shape humanity’s future.
Sara made history as the first Egyptian astronaut and the first Arab and African woman in space. As the founder and executive director of the Deep Space Initiative (DSI), she is committed to democratizing access to space research and education, pushing boundaries in robotics, bioastronautics, and beyond. A dedicated humanitarian, Sara has worked across Africa and champions inclusivity on global platforms. Her journey continues to inspire others to break barriers and explore new horizons.
Liam Young, Film Director and Architect, shared how storytelling serves as a universal language—helping us reimagine inescapable futures through the power of imagined worlds.
Takeaway: At the Dubai Future Forum 2024, brought connectivity among the global thought leaders to explore opportunities for shaping humanity’s future.
Building on last year’s insights on curiosity as our greatest superpower, the conversations at forum ignited new ideas, new questions, and unlock new frontiers.
The core takeaway from the Dubai Future Forum 2024 was that the future needs some amount of humility, active listening, and a willingness to navigate different futures by embracing and accepting failure and iteration.
The forum highlighted key critical question: how can we, as communities, build resilient systems that not only withstand future shocks but also lead us toward desired futures?
Notably, the world is being shaped by climate change, technological advancements, and demographic shifts. It is clear that the future demands democratising thinking about the future, and co-create futures where young people thrive.
