Deputy Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum today attended the inauguration of the 3rd edition of ‘Knowledge Summit 2016’ organised by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation (MBRF) under the theme: ‘Knowledge: Present and Future’. Chairman of MBRF His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum also attended the Summit.
Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed also honoured winners of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Award 2016. The $1 million (Dh3.67 million) Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Award honours individuals or institutions that have made major contributions to the dissemination and transfer of knowledge globally. The award was shared by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; Arab Thought Foundation; and Masdar.
The inaugural session was attended by Cabinet Member and Minister of Energy HE Suhail bin Mohammed Faraj Al Mazrouei; Cabinet Member and Minister of Education HE Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi; Cabinet Member and Minister of Infrastructure Development HE Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed Belhaif Al Nuaimi; Cabinet Member and Minister of State for Defence Affairs HE Mohammed bin Ahmad Al Bawardi; Cabinet Member and Minister of State for Public Education HE Jameela bint Salem Al Muhairi; Cabinet Member and Minister of State for Higher Education HE Dr. Ahmad bin Abdullah Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi; Cabinet Member and Minister of State HE Sultan bin Ahmad Al Jaber, and other dignitaries.
Delivering the keynote speech at the event, Managing Director of MBRF Jamal bin Huwaireb said that the Summit offers a knowledge platform that brings together experts from all over the world. He also highlighted the UAE’s latest initiatives that encouraged reading in Arab homes including the declaration of 2016 as the Year of Reading, the Arab Reading Challenge, and the launch of the National Reading Strategy 2026 among others. Bin Huwaireb also highlighted the new Arab Reading Index, a joint initiative of MBRF and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which aims to assess the state of reading in the Arab world.
Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-Moon said in his video speech that knowledge is a key requirement for preparing for the future.
Deputy Assistant Administrator and Deputy Regional Director for the Regional Bureau for Arab States in UNDP Sophie De Caen said that UNDP has actively partnered with MBRF to launch several initiatives including the Arab Knowledge Index and the recent Arab Reading Index.
Former Australian Prime Minister Anthony John Abbott, in his speech, hailed the UAE’s progress and efforts in achieving harmony between different nationalities and cultures.
General Manager of Al Arabiya TV Turki Aldakhil said that people in the region prefer electronic formats for reading rather than paper.
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