Ahmed bin Saeed Attends Opening of WORLDEF Dubai 2024 Forum.

Dubai: Under the patronage and in the presence of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ), the WORLDEF Dubai 2024 Forum, the world's largest digital commerce event, commenced today, bringing together over 5,000 attendees from more than 40 countries. According to Emirates News Agency, the event, hosted by Dubai CommerCity, is the region's first and leading free zone dedicated exclusively to digital commerce and a joint venture between DIEZ and Wasl Properties. The forum is organised by WORLDEF, an international platform committed to supporting the global expansion and growth of cross-border e-commerce and digital commerce companies. The two-day forum provides a unique opportunity for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and obtaining insights into emerging trends. It also facilitates the exchange of expertise among government officials, CEOs, and thought leaders on the future of digital commerce, artificial intelligence, e-commerce trends, sustain able logistics, and investment opportunities. The opening ceremony was attended by a diverse array of dignitaries, including Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade; Murodali Alimardon, Deputy Prime Minister of Tajikistan; Abdullah Al Basti, Secretary General of The Executive Council of Dubai; Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, Executive Chairman of DIEZ and Chairman of the Board of Dubai CommerCity; Tugay Tunçer, Ambassador of Turkiye to the UAE; and Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers. Representatives from leading international digital commerce companies were also present. Murodali Alimardon, Deputy Prime Minister of Tajikistan, delivered a keynote speech on the National Development Strategy of the Republic of Tajikistan 2030. He emphasised the strategy's goal of enhancing the standard of living for citizens through economic development, highlighting the country's key economic enablers such as infrastructure and natural resources, while addressing global a dvancements in digital trade and Tajikistan's readiness to forge strategic partnerships in this sector. Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, Executive Chairman of DIEZ and Chairman of the Board of Dubai CommerCity, emphasised that hosting the WORLDEF Dubai 2024 Forum reflects Dubai CommerCity's commitment to advancing the digital commerce sector's strategic role in driving non-oil economic growth, in alignment with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33. The Ambassador of Turkiye to the UAE underscored the significance of the robust trade ties between the UAE and Turkey, highlighting the UAE's position as Turkey's largest trading partner within the GCC. He emphasised the importance of strengthening trade cooperation between the two nations, given their roles as key regional business and aviation hubs. Omar Nart, CEO of WORLDEF, highlighted the forum's significance as a platform for leaders and visionaries to discuss opportunities and challenges in a rapidly changing digital economy. He noted this year's focus, 'Driving Global Trade Through Partnerships and Innovation', which underscores the power of collaboration. On the first day of the forum, a fireside chat with Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers, focused on the digital economy's critical role in driving economic growth. Lootah discussed the UAE Digital Economy Strategy, aiming to double the digital economy's contribution to the nation's GDP over the next decade, while highlighting initiatives to support local emerging technology companies and attract global enterprises.