Dubai: H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), attended the opening day of the Dubai Future Forum 2025. This event is recognized as the world's largest gathering of futurists.
According to Emirates News Agency, the Forum, organized by the Dubai Future Foundation, is hosted at the Museum of the Future and runs until 19 November. It boasts participation from over 2,500 individuals representing around 100 countries, and includes more than 200 speakers such as futurists, ministers, CEOs, academics, researchers, decision-makers, and thought leaders.
H.H. Sheikh Hamdan emphasized the strategic significance of future design, noting it as a priority for nations and a core element in long-term organizational and institutional planning. He highlighted the importance of integrating global capabilities and futurist expertise to drive progress and ensure humanity's advancement.
Sheikh Hamdan remarked on Dubai's model for future design, which is predicated on international partnerships and collaboration with others who share values of optimism and readiness. He noted that the Dubai Future Forum serves as a global platform to identify priorities, study opportunities, and develop future-ready solutions.
During the event, Sheikh Hamdan, along with H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, honored winners of the inaugural Dubai Foresight Awards. The awards recognize outstanding contributions in foresight across various categories, including Fiji's 'Pasifika Futures Report', Italy's 'City Longevity' initiative, and Cameroon's 'Congo Basin Futures' initiative.
The ceremony was attended by notable figures such as Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, and Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid, Director General of Dubai's Community Development Authority. Sheikh Hamdan also participated in the graduation of the second cohort of the 'FEEL: A disruptive Futures Programme', aimed at equipping global leaders with foresight skills.
H.H. underscored the value of capacity-building in future sensing and encouraged graduates to contribute to research, innovation, and entrepreneurship worldwide. The Programme, attended by 30 participants from 15 countries, focused on enhancing foresight capabilities.
Sheikh Hamdan also met with graduates of the Dubai Future Experts Programme (DEEP), a government-led foresight initiative designed to empower Emirati talent in leadership roles. He emphasized the role of foresight in advancing Dubai's leadership and competitiveness.
Day 1 of the Dubai Future Forum featured discussions on various themes, including AI transformations, future societies, and the role of education. Workshops and immersive experiences were also part of the event, engaging participants in interactive explorations of future opportunities.
Looking ahead to Day 2, the Forum will cover topics such as the future of cities, space exploration, and the role of youth in innovation, further solidifying Dubai's position as a leader in future readiness and global collaboration.