Arab world must adopt evolutionary reform to reach knowledge-enabled society, says Sultan bin Sulayem

"Governments in the Arab world are urged to initiate reforms in all sectors of governance, particularly in the area of developing human resources and women empowerment aimed at reaching a knowledge based society in the Middle East"- this call was made by Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman of Nakheel, ahead of its participation at the World Economic Forum (WEF) from January 24-29, 2005 in Davos, Switzerland.

“In the past decade, creation of wealth has undergone a paradigm shift with greater importance placed on acquisition and application of knowledge as the primary engine of the economic growth all over the world,” said bin Sulayem. “In the Arab countries, the focus must now be laid on streamlining all governmental, educational and developmental efforts to establish a knowledge based society backed up by transparent form of governance, to be key stake holders in the global partnership for sustainable development.”

In the coming years, Arab decision makers must address some unique challenges in order to reach this goal, including the influx in large numbers of highly qualified youth into the job market and stability in the region, through peaceful and just settlements of conflicts that have plagued Arab countries for decades.

“Reforms that go beyond the realm of the economy will deliver tangible advantages to all the citizens in the Arab World,” continued bin Sulayem. “Countries in the region must pool in their resources to create an investment climate where global capital is secure, creating more jobs that can absorb large numbers of youth who will be in the job market of the region in the near future.”

Bin Sulayem cited the example of Dubai which has initiated what he referred to as ‘evolutionary reform’ in order to develop and be globally competitive and viable.

“The process in Dubai is driven by the vision of H.H. General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defence Minister,” said Bin Sulayem. “The Forum’s 2005 theme strongly resonates with change that is currently happening in the emirate resulting in the emergence of Dubai, in the short span of a decade, as a leading international commercial, economic and touristic hub in the world.”

“Dubai achieved this stature through pursuing open trade and above all visionary leadership that is attuned and adaptable to the needs of the emirate in these times of constant social and technological change,” said bin Sulayem. “The Forum’s themes of ‘balancing global and local’ and ‘embracing global citizenship’ lie at the very heart of Dubai’s success.”

Dubai has in the past decade adopted key reforms and diversification, which moved it away from an oil based to a services based economy, creating opportunities for global businesses to conduct profitable businesses. The emirate has seen huge investments in IT, media and knowledge-based sectors, transforming what was previously a trading outpost into a regional commercial and technological hub. By creating specialised zones, Dubai has succeeded in synergising several sectors of the economy. In addition Dubai has adopted some far reaching governance initiatives through mainstreaming the use of Information and Communication Technologies into governance thereby streamlining the process and delivering fast and efficient services to its citizenry and business sectors.

Bin Sulayem will be moderating a workshop on theme ‘Middle East 2020’, which will look at what the region may achieve in the light of major developments like region-wide reform process and the growth of alternative engines of growth to create stronger business opportunities in the region.

“The growth tangent of the Middle East region over the next two decades is being keenly watched in many quarters. The international community is donning an active role by devoting a great deal of diplomatic, economic and cultural resources for the region’s progress,” said bin Sulayem. “Significantly however, positive change can be brought about only if countries in the region demonstrate commitment and inclination for reform in order to break the cycle of stagnation and under development.”

“The countries of the Middle East do not lack the resources. What they lack however is the vision and administrative momentum to harness these powers in order to aid development,” remarked bin Sulayem. “The need of the hour is the establishment of a tripartite co-operative complex between institutions of the government, civil society and private sector to establish in the region an open market facilitating the seamless flow of goods, capital, investments, services, information, knowledge and ideas.”

The World Economic Forum, based in Geneva, is an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world. It provides a collaborative framework for the world’s leaders to address global issues, engaging particularly its corporate members in global citizenship.

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