His Excellency Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the World Government Summit, delivered the opening address at the fourth edition (WGS 2016) that commenced on Monday under the overarching theme "Shaping Future Governments". His Excellency said that this year's summit has originated from the grand vision and wise leadership of the UAE President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who leads the nation to emerge as an international center of knowledge, a real platform for positive change in the world. His Excellency added that the summit is held under the patronage and direct supervision of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who believes that forward-looking approach and preparedness for new developments and exploration of what the coming years may have in store are not merely complementary works for governments but the Most Important Basics as governments that are not prepared for the future governments would certainly waste wealth, future and years of time of many generations to come. Al Gergawi welcomed the official delegations from participating countries and international organizations, including the United Nations, the World Bank, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), World Economic Forum, as well as the academics, media, experts and private sector leaders in attendance at the summit. He said that the summit's fourth edition has undergone major changes in its name, content, philosophy, method of sessions and the mechanisms of exchange of knowledge across different platforms, explaining that the most important change is its transformation from an annual event to an international institution simply because an annual event is just not enough to shape the future as it requires intense daily efforts. "Today begin the proceedings of the summit, but it will not end after three days," His Excellency added. "We will continue to communicate with you and the march of research and knowledge will continue to move forward. The meetings and exchange of experiences will continue throughout the year, because we always wanted to be a part of the future, influencing it and not getting influenced by it, while keeping abreast of the changes and not resistant to them." Al Gergawi said that human beings will always pursue happiness; therefore, the message of all governments should be the happiness of humanity. "This is the vision we have set out for our government in UAE, and this is what His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has identified as an indicator of the performance of all our works and our projects," he added. The World Government Summit has convened over 3,000 personalities from 125 countries. The summit seeks to explore more than 70 topical issues through the participation of world leaders, ministers, decision makers, CEOs, innovators, officials, experts, entrepreneurs, academics, and university students. A number of initiatives, reports and studies will also be launched during the three-day summit and throughout the year. World Government Summit 2016 is set to conclude on February 10 at the Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai.
