Gulf presence at Davos 2025 imbued with AI
Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia & UAE demonstrate high-tech progress at WEF
#Davos #WEF - GCC states will be attending this year’s World Economic Forum in force, aiming to demonstrate not just the significant progress in harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, but also how investments in advanced technology are helping to lift all economic sectors in the region. The annual meeting, which begins today in Davos, Switzerland, welcomes delegations from Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Davos 2025 runs from Monday 20th to Friday 24th of January.
SO WHAT? - Saudi Arabia and the UAE have been participating in the annual World Economic Forum for many years now and these days they bring a diverse portfolio of interests to discuss and promote at the global event. Since 2017 when Gulf economies slowed, the two countries have implemented a variety of ambitious economic, social and technological development initiatives. However, arguably, none has been as impactful as the top-down drive to harness artificial intelligence. At this year’s WEF, they showcase a wide array of economic opportunities, industry success stories and case studies in innovation: all supported by AI and the data-driven thinking that now permeates all aspects of government strategy and policy.
Here are some more details on Gulf participation in Davos:
The 2025 Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum takes place from 20-24 January in Davos, Switzerland under the theme ‘Collaboration for the Intelligent Age’, bringing together nearly 3,000 leaders from over 130 countries.
This year’s Davos will feature a Saudi House exhibit with the participation of 13 Saudi entities: Diriyah Company, General Authority of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Ministry of Economy and Planning, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Investment, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Transport and Logistics, Research Development and Innovation Authority, Royal Commission for AlUla, Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, Saudi Centre for 4IR, and Saudi Tourism Authority.
Saudi Arabia’s ministerial representation includes Davos regulars: Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih; Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef; and Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Alswaha.
The theme for the UAE pavilion at Davos, now in its third year, is "Nothing is Impossible". The country’s 100-strong delegation is led by H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture).
Abu Dhabi’s G42 Group has sent a heavyweight team to support its sponsorship of AI House in Davos, which includes: Peng Xiao, CEO, G42 Group; Hassan AlNaqbi, CEO, Khazna Data Centres; Martin Edelman, general counsel, G42
Kiril Evtimov, Group CTO, G42; Andrew Jackson, Group Chief Responsible AI Officer, G42; Magzhan Kenesban, acting CEO, AIQ; Thomas Pramotedham, CEO, Presight; and Prof. Eric Xing, President of Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI).
This year’s forum sees the debut of the Invest Qatar Pavilion, which has a programme of events and discussions with a technology focus, including the panel session: From Sandboxes to Success: The Middle East’s New Innovation Ecosystems.
Delegates and speakers from Qatar include: H.E. Mohammed bin Ali bin Mohammed Al Mannai, Minister of Communications and Information Technology; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Faisal Al-Thani, CEO of QFZ; and Yousuf Al-Jaida, CEO of QFC.
The Sultanate of Oman’s delegation to Davos will be lead by Dr. Said Mohammed Al Saqri, Minister of Economy, accompanied by representatives from the country’s the public and private sectors.
ZOOM OUT - The 2025 Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum will bring together nearly 3,000 leaders from over 130 countries, and 350 governmental leaders, including 60 heads of states and governments, from 20-24 January. In the past, many attending the meeting may have looked to Qatar, Saudi Arabia or the UAE to provide insight and perspective on energy issues, in recognition of their oil and gas wealth. However, these days Gulf speakers are more likely to be talking about innovation and the benefits of harnessing AI. This year Davos convenes under the theme, ‘Collaboration for the Intelligent Age’ and it’s a theme that the Gulf states are now well-positioned to contribute to.
LINKS
Full Davos 2025 programme (website)
Live sessions will be streamed here (YouTube)
Read more stories about WEF:
UAE-WEF AI platform to support Vision 2031 policy (Middle East AI News)
Making the impossible possible (Middle East AI News)