World

World govt summit opens with focus on happiness, technology

February 11, 2018
Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, and his wife Princess Haya Bint Al-Hussein are seen on stage during the opening of the World Government Summit in Dubai on Sunday. — AFP
Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, and his wife Princess Haya Bint Al-Hussein are seen on stage during the opening of the World Government Summit in Dubai on Sunday. — AFP

Dubai — The 6th edition of the World Government Summit (WGS 2018) got underway on Sunday, featuring more than 130 speakers across 120 interactive sessions and over 4,000 participants from 140 countries.

The summit started with a focus on happiness where the founder of the World Database of Happiness, Professor Ruut Veenhoven, spoke about how happiness can be measured by countries.

Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, Chairperson of International Humanitarian City, launched a new Humanitarian Logistics Data Bank project to help agencies “share in real time.”

She thanked more than 70 organizations which have contributed to the data base.

Delivering a keynote address, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Dubai was a miracle, transforming from a desert to a futuristic metropolis.

He gave the inaugural address on the theme: “Technology for development”.

He said that in India mortality rate has reduced by one third, as an example of technology improving life in last 25 years.

But technology is sometimes used as tools of destruction, not development.

“The 6 Rs of environment friendliness are Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover, Redesign and Remanufacture — all of this leads to another R — Rejoice,” Modi said.

“The goal of human existence is not just progress, but the creation of happiness. Happiness is man’s greatest wealth.”

Earlier, addressing the summit, Managing Director of International Monetary Fund Christine Lagarde called for focusing on young people, especially in the Mideast region because 60 percent of the population are under 25 years of age

Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Minister of Finance of Indonesia, was announced as the Best Minister in the World during the summit.

Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, presented the award to Indrawati for her efforts in fighting corruption and increasing transparency in the government with the help of her team.

Addressing the summit, French Prime Minister Edouard Phillipe said, “History remembers leaders who transform and reform their constituencies for a better tomorrow for citizens.”

“The good governments are the ones who out building blocks for those who follow them,” he said.

The summit, which runs from Feb. 11 to Feb. 13, is hosting a strong line-up including government representatives, dignitaries and thought leaders who will discuss key themes at the event. — Agencies


February 11, 2018
1462 views
HIGHLIGHTS
World
hour ago

Fallen crypto mogul Sam Bankman-Fried sentenced to 25 years in prison

World
2 hours ago

Jacob Zuma barred from running in South Africa elections

World
5 hours ago

India opposition leader Kejriwal to remain in jail in corruption case