Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, the Minister of Cabinet Affairs and The Future and Co-chair of the Global Future Councils, wrapped up two days of debate and dialogue on the challenges and opportunities presented by the technologies of the future by thanking the more than 700 experts who gathered in Dubai for the second Annual Meeting of the Global Future Councils for their hard work.

"It has been a productive meeting of the Global Future Councils. We are honored to see the work of 700 great minds create the next phase of global transformation. This is a KPI for governments in the world to activate the potential of 7.6 billion humans towards impactful change," he told delegates.

"The commitment to the future continues to grow in momentum. An action plan was announced here last year, which has been realized. A human-centric strategy, ministerial council and governance framework are now in place.

"We have started a journey to shape a better future for all. As promised, we are launching a smart platform today to include the region in a network for the Fourth Industrial Revolution."

Gergawi said a number of key initiatives were announced during the two-day event, aimed at globalizing knowledge and building capacities. These included: The UAE announcing a Center for Future Readiness, to build capacity for governments and organizations.

The establishment of a global framework to assess future readiness.

The creation of new positions of Future Ambassadors as advocates for tomorrow’s world.

And the Global Protocols for Artificial Intelligence and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, to be developed by the UAE in partnership with the World Economic Forum.

Gergawi concluded by saying: "The journey continues, and in this spirit, I would like to call for the next Annual Meeting of the Global Future Councils on the 11th and 12th of November 2018."

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, the second AMGFC gathered more than 700 scholars and future experts from 75 countries at the Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai.

Attendees convened in 35 Councils, each of which is addressing key issues in a vital strategic sector, and which are developing practical solutions for the challenges that are likely to arise.

The Councils outlined likely scenarios for the future of sectors that most affect people’s lives, such as healthcare, education, energy, transportation, water, food security and others.

The Meeting also discussed the likely effects of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, proposing solutions to the challenges that come along with it, and looking into the most promising technological advances across various sectors, including: the future of food security; innovation and entrepreneurship; international trade and investment; cybersecurity; the Internet; cities; transportation; global governance; global security; production; the Fourth Industrial Revolution; artificial intelligence and robotics; energy; computing; education; quality of life; space travel; the environment; and biotechnology.