BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE REPORT #06, Nov 2017 €19 / SEK 199
FOR THE MEETINGS AND EVENTS INDUSTRY
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LEADERSHIP
STRATEGY
Good leadership puts the interests of the community as a whole before those of any specific group. Credibility of leadership can only be established through action and not words.
The Dubai Way. Crystallizing the vision, setting the goals, drawing the plan, setting a reasonable time for implementation, mobilizing resources, giving the signal for implementation.
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KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY
PUSHING SUSTAINABILITY
Focus on all sectors that are key to the development of the economy, be it business events, trade, hospitality, real estate, financial services or SMEs.
Everything built is in compliance with the very latest environmental standards. The goal is to become the city with the smallest carbon footprint in the world by 2050.
Government Focus
Women Development
Smart City
Hub for Minds
Developing Talent
Up to 2021: health care, technology, sustainable energy, water, space, education and transportation.
Women leadership is changing the baseline. By 2021 Dubai aims to be first in the region in gender equality.
Dubai seeks to distinguish itself as the global leader delivering Smart Economy and Smart Living opportunities for all.
Knowledge of the meetings industry is a new kind of function-based cluster, in the space between all branches.
Keep changing. Let us look at things a bit differently. Open discussions. Create a vibrant knowledge community
LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE EDITOR IN CHIEF Atti Soenarso
atti.soenarso@meetingsinternational.com PUBLISHER Roger Kellerman
roger.kellerman@meetingsinternational.com GLOBAL SALES DIRECTOR Graham Jones
graham.jones@meetingsinternational.com EDITOR Robert Cotter EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Birgitta Thorpman
No. 06
Nov 2017 A Hub for Minds to Meet
4 INTRO
Decisions
TEXT Roger Kellerman, Atti Soenarso
Atti Soenarso: Dubai has taken another approach.
PHOTOS Dmytro Aksonov, Sara Appelgren, Daniel Cheong,
Roger Kellerman, Magnus Malmberg, Nikandtam, Atti Soenarso ART DIRECTOR kellermandesign.com
6 STRATEGY
Future Accelerators
EDITORIAL RAYS OF SUNSHINE Bimo + his cello + La Perle
Using the city as a living test bed.
by Dragone + Jane Gardam + Michael Brennan + Kazuo Ishiguro SUBSCRIPTION Four issues: Sweden €39, Europe €73, Outside Europe €77. Buy at subscription@meetingsinternational.com or
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DUBAI 10X MISSION
Pulling the Future Forward Being 10 years ahead of every other world city.
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20 ADDING VALUE
Dr. Aisha Bin Bishr: Smart cities can make people happier.
26 KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER
Steen Jakobsen: We are on the right track building a knowledge society.
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32 TRANSFORMATION
RTA Has Set Strategies to Shape the Future of Transport.
38 VOLUNTEERS
Ahmed Hassan Lootah: Sharing is part of the culture.
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42 SPACE DEVELOPMENT
Mars 2117
Building a colony on Mars. 46 KELLERMAN
The 10X Initiative puts Dubai in the Provocative Lead of Thinking.
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4 | INTRO
Decisions Dubai is creating a hub for minds to meet. Dubai is doing it its way in more ways than one. Traditionally governments the world over has appointed ministers for their various sectors, such as transport, environment and industry. Dubai has taken another approach. Last year three ministers were appointed: Minister of Happiness, Minister of Youth and Minister of Tolerance. It is a paradigmatic shift, a new structure where the focus lies on intrinsic value. Dubai Future Accelerators (DFA) was launched in September last year. It is run by the Dubai Future Foundation whose mission is to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of strategic sectors in cooperation with the Dubai government and private sector entities. DFA uses the city as a cradle for creating solutions to tomorrow's global challenges. When we met Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of Dubai Future Accelerators, he said: “Our mission is to imagine, design and create the future by facilitating partnerships between forwardthinking entrepreneurs and the government. To do this, we are using the city of Dubai as a living test bed.”
Following our meeting and on our way out of the building, we read this message on a wall: “Behind the walls, everything is #DoneByYouth. We empower youth spirit, passion and dynamism to make dreams come true.” It is Sheikh Mohammed who has empowered the youth to design their centre – and at the same time their future. Young people share their ideas through the #YouthCenter hashtag and have transformed their ideas into a living centre. One of the tweets here reads: “Youth design everything. Youth vision, passion, and grit make dreams reality. UAE Youth today are our most educated, connected and diverse generation. We must equip Youth to shape our communities and future.” Other voices from #YouthCenter express thoughts such as: “We are the here, the now, the next. We create food that fuels the future. We are healthy of body and energized of mind.” “Our motivation, our youth, our attitude will be the fire that leads the way.” “We stimulate, we nurture the life that drives the country, to achieve our full potential.” “We are
a state of mind. We are the hope, the life, the future. We are flowing.” Those tweets summarise what several people in this Meetings International Business Intelligence Report on Dubai have told us: There is a strong focus on the development of the country's youth, a development for survival. There are several other areas in focus for developing Dubai. Women leadership is one of the political awareness decisions that were made in Dubai. The Emirate will not achieve positive development unless everybody participates in the development work. In today's Dubai, well-educated, gainfully employed women play a major part in The Emirate's success. The message is clear: You cannot exclude women from the job market when building the future. But not only that. In the Dubai government, equal pay has been introduced for the same work undertaken by women and men. Just have a read of that last sentence once again.
Swedish-Indonesian Atti Soenarso has worked as a journalist for close to 40 years. She has worked for Scandinavia's largest daily newspaper, was TV4's first travel editor, has written for many Swedish travel magazines and has had several international clients. She has travelled the length and breadth of the world and written about destinations, people and meetings. photo Magnus Malmberg
MEETINGS INTERNATIONAL | BIR No. 06 2017
photo iStock.com/PhonlamaiPhoto
INTELLIGENT RUNNING FUTURE | 5 HEAD | 5
The AI Strategy IS FIRST OF ITS KIND Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director-General of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), has lauded the launch of the UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence (AI), describing it as a ‘move towards a sustainable and data-centric future’. The AI strategy is a first of its kind, both in the region and the entire world, one that seeks to promote government performance and create an innovative and highly productive environment by means of investing in artificial intelligence technologies and its application across multiple domains. The strategy is premised to ensure the best use of all resources and to invest in all available potential in creative methods that accelerate the execution of developmental projects. Applauding the nation's develop ment journey, Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori also expressed that it ‘confirms the proactive spirit undertaken towards future growth and sustainability’. “Today, in the midst of the world's major transformations in the fields of Information and Communication Technology, our wise leadership
foresees a new horizon to place us at the global forefront towards Artificial Intelligence and the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” says Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori. “We, along with other government entities, are honoured to have been together in the smart/electronic transformation workshop under the patronage of our wise leadership, hence we are proudly prepared to continue the path towards the achievement of our highest goals for the UAE Centennial 2017, and the UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence is at the heart of it.” The strategy includes five core themes, which are: 1. The setting up of an AI work force that includes the formation of the UAE AI Council. 2. Activating numerous programmes, initiatives and organizing field visits to government bodies and conducting workshops. 3. Developing capabilities of higher government leaders and enhancing skills of all staff operating
in the field of technology, in addition to organizing training courses for government officials. 4. Ensuring implementation by providing all services via AI, and the full integration of AI into medical and security services. 5. Launching a leadership strategy by appointing an AI Consultative Council and issuing a government law on the safe use of AI. “We are aware of the exceptional importance of data as the new oil of the upcoming era,” says Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori. “Data is the raw material for the formation and analysis of patterns, which leads to the activation of Artificial Intelligence and the achievement of unprecedented leaps of productivity and efficiency on economic, cognitive and scientific levels.” From Arabia Trade News. Published with permission.
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6 | RUNNING HEAD
MEETINGS INTERNATIONAL | BIR No. 06 2017
STRATEGY | 7
Using the City AS A LIVING TEST BED TEXT
Atti Soenarso
photo Atti Soenarso
Car designers of the late twentieth century understood that speed is nothing without control. As engine power and performance improved markedly, so too did the innovation on how to handle it, such as anti-lock braking and stability mechanisms. Global cities are today going through a similar experience; the rate of urbanisation is accelerating, and cities are expanding more rapidly than at any point in history. As they do so, more and more of them are realising that with an increased speed of change they need similar ‘anti-lock brake’ and ‘stability control’ innovation to keep people moving, generate employment, house their populations and handle their waste, all within a sustainable environment. At the cutting edge of understanding how best to achieve this, Dubai Future Accelerators (DFA) was launched in September last year. It is run by the Dubai Future Foundation, whose mission is to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of strategic sectors in cooperation with the Dubai government and private sector entities, and DFA is its unique programme to use the city as a cradle for creating solutions to tomorrow's global challenges.
“Our mission is to imagine, design and create the future by facilitating partnerships between forward-thinking entrepreneurs and the government,” says Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of Dubai Future Accelerators. “To do this we are using the city of Dubai as a living test bed.” Integral to this living test bed are the DFA offices that are located in Emirates Towers, handily just a few floors away from the Prime Minister's Office. It is from here that a number of initiatives have already stemmed that Dubai has put on its list to accelerate, a list that signals the scope of its ambition. In addition to these, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum also has global initiatives, such as empowering refugees through employment opportunities in their host countries using technology, as well as exploring technologies that provide education to refugee children. “Thankfully we have visionary leaders here who plan way ahead and want to develop Dubai, and we try to come up with several initiatives to enable us to do so,” says Khalfan Belhoul. “For us, the Foundation is basically focusing on planning the future of Dubai through these
different initiatives. It currently runs DFA in the Dubai Telex Programme, The Museum of the Future and Dubai Future again, which at the moment are the main pillars of the Dubai Future Foundation and each of which serves a different purpose.” “The Museum of the Future, for example, will be a more interactive futuristic showcase platform for us, and what distinguishes it from any other museum is that it will not only be a museum that exhibits, but that also interacts with people,” explains Khalfan Belhoul. “So, whilst it will obviously dedicate a lot of space to presenting futuristic products that people like to see, we will at the same time welcome people with great minds and futuristic ideas to present their thoughts and products that can be fruitful in the future.” “We will also host events in collaboration with the museum, which will be a place you can go to get inspired and learn about our future planning of Dubai,” adds Khalfan Belhoul. “The museum will be inaugurated in the spring of 2019 and the plan is also to have many physical elements of the museum itself showing exactly what it is all about.”
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8 | STRATEGY
When its doors open in the first half of 2019, the Museum of the Future building will be another icon for Dubai to add to its growing list. Designed by architect Sean Killa and of a stunning, punctured elliptical form to be built in part using 3D printing technologies, it will be an incubator for vanguard thinking on
“The good news is that the seven future challenges that we started with have mushroomed and are basically setting out that every government entity should now get on board with them,” says Khalfan Belhoul. “This goes back to the uniqueness of the DFA programme and what we do. Accelerators usually bring innovation
“We will at the same time welcome people with great minds and futuristic ideas” future innovation. Behind its spaceage exterior, a Dubai Future Academy will be hosted in the first three offices, the idea behind which is to offer different courses on the future covering topics such as Blockchain, Bitcoin and Artificial Intelligence. “We will have a planning [for the future] programme and once you are educating people on all those things it is a multiplier from an innovation standpoint,” says Khalfan Belhoul. “Coding, for example, is the base of a lot of innovation and you have that base in Europe, but students there disguise just how much they can innovate. The education of future planning is therefore crucial for a country to be right there from an innovation point of view, so these are the future plans.” Encouraging students to be innovative will be boosted by innovation coming from the DFA programme itself – while it started out with a modest number of future challenges, it is increasingly coming up with new ones to tackle and to dedicate new ways of thinking too. MEETINGS INTERNATIONAL | BIR No. 06 2017
and ideas, and try to help accelerate those ideas. We help them financially and give support and advice, and we have a great network and relationship to help the start-ups. That is a typical accelerator model.” “The component that we added in our accelerator was to involve government entities in this formula, and what happens when you have a government entity involved is that they help the regulatory process of that new innovation accelerate and be executed in a much faster way,” adds Khalfan Belhoul. “Take the example of road traffic and let's say a company comes to us saying that they want to explore the UAE taxi, but that with everything involved in regulating such a thing it will take a long time for the innovator to meet the regulations in the country,” says Khalfan Belhoul. “I want to make sure that this is all legal with the new system and if you have the head authority sitting there with the accelerator, trying to amend the regulations in the country to accommodate new innovation, then
the speed of this execution becomes much faster.” Highlighting the early speed of DFA interest and uptake, it received a substantial number of applications for the first phase of its relevant government sector cohort. Submissions covering a range of innovative ideas set out to shape the future of the key sectors involved and find effective solutions to the challenges facing the future of the planet. “We had around 2,000 applications to the first phase of the government sector cohort and we selected 30 companies, 19 of which have actually signed up and are working with prototyping and coming up with solutions with the government entities, which is fantastic,” says Khalfan Belhoul. “In the second phase, there were 35 companies on board and 29 companies signing, an increase of about 80 per cent, so we have seen the belief in the programme and the government entity involvement and support become much stronger.” “Then we had the third phase, with a total of around 5,000 applications, from which we selected 46 companies from around the world to take part, nine of which are from the UAE,” adds Khalfan Belhoul. “The number of participating companies has almost doubled since its launch last September.” Reflecting the ambition of the DFA initiative and its global appeal for innovators, its many applications for participation came from all over the world, from sources such as the US, UK, Germany and Spain through to Canada, New Zealand, Singapore and China, with many other countries also in the mix. Alongside these there were also many applications from with the UAE itself, such as with Emirates airline joining the programme to help identify the most pressing challenges facing the aviation sector
STRATEGY | 9
“Our mission is to imagine, design and create the future by facilitating partnerships”
and to develop solutions to transform them into opportunities supporting the sector's long-term sustainability. “It offers an ideal platform to forecast and plan for the future as it gathers the world's brightest minds and most innovative companies to join hands with government entities in the UAE, and address challenges in key sectors using cutting-edge technologies,” says Khalfan Belhoul. “We are proud to see local companies among the participants; this underlines the great progress that the local tech scene has achieved, placing it on a par with major global competitors.” The programme's progress has also led to an increase of government entities participating. At the outset, there were seven on board for the first phase of the relevant government sector cohort, a figure that rose to 12 government partners in the second phase. “The numbers are all actually growing, making our life harder, but this is good because they are investing in business,” says Khalfan Belhoul. “In a nutshell, this is what the Dubai Future Accelerator is doing.” DFA List of Initiatives to Accelerate
Reduce general crime rate by 50 per cent and traffic-related
mortality rate to 2.5 per 100,000 citizens by 2021. Reduce 75 per cent of Dubai general waste by 2021. Implement 3D printing technology in 25 per cent of Dubai buildings by 2030. Increase green areas in Dubai tenfold by 2020 through using advanced irrigation and agriculture techniques. Explore opportunities for using nanotechnology in 3 services and operations of the Dubai Municipality by 2021. Reduce costs and increase the efficiency and potency of diagnosis, disease prevention and patient monitoring by the factor of 10. Create self-regulating, futureready school communities to be among the best in the world by 2025. Explore and demonstrate new technologies that can transform a utility provider's traditional business model of generating, transmitting and distributing water and electricity. Significantly enhance decision making, the user experience of travel and transport services with the use of: AI, Digital Twin, legislation for autonomous transport,
clean and environmentally friendly fuels, making Dubai a cyclist- and pedestrian-friendly city. Develop an innovative loyalty platform that can improve customer service and retention by 10 in telecommunication. Use advanced biometric recognition (with a preference for blockchain technology) to enable seamless transition through Dubai airport without the need for a passport. Reduce digital risks in the UAE by 50 per cent in the next five years by building and delivering cuttingedge digital security solutions focusing on areas of Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Security, IoT Security or Incident Response. Develop an intelligent business rating system to assess and score SMEs based on financial and nonfinancial parameters, to enhance SMEs credibility and increase their access to finance by 100 per cent by 2021. Using artificial intelligence to deliver city services twice as fast, with half the budget and twice the customer satisfaction.
2017 No. 06 BIR | MEETINGS INTERNATIONAL
MEETINGS INTERNATIONAL | BIR No. 06 2017
10X MISSION | 11
Dubai 10X Mission BEING 10 YEARS AHEAD OF EVERY OTHER WORLD CITY TEXT
photo Atti Soenarso (creative license taken)
Atti Soenarso American writer Mark Twain once wrote that ‘the secret of getting ahead is getting started’. Despite being recognized as one of the world's most advanced and futuristic cities, the Government of Dubai has started to pursue a Dubai Future Foundation initiative of Dubai 10X, which sets it the mission of being ten years ahead of every other world city, the X of the 10X initiative symbolizing experimental, out-of-the-box, futureoriented thinking. Driving the agenda for this, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has called on all Dubai Government entities to embrace ‘disruptive innovation’ as a fundamental mantra of their operations and to seek ways to incorporate its methodologies into all aspects of their work. “Traditionally, governments all over the world are known to be resistant to change and bureaucratic organizations the last to adopt disruptive innovation,” says Sheikh Mohammed.
“With its forward-thinking vision and initiatives, the UAE Government is setting an example for authorities all around the world as it moves from simply forecasting the future to actively working to shape it. We are a young and energetic government who want to be leaders in disruptive innovation and technology.” “The future will not be as patient with us as the present; it belongs to those who affect radical changes, not those who make minor, gradual improvements,” adds Sheikh Mohammed. “The future is a collection of ideas and ambitions that are made and tested in experimental laboratories, and this initiative transforms Dubai into the world's largest laboratory for the governments of the future.” The disruptive innovation set to transform Dubai and give it a tenyear quantum leap refers to exploiting available technologies to deliver new or existing services in radically different ways, which can be either design-based or customer-focused. 2017 No. 06 BIR | MEETINGS INTERNATIONAL
12 | 10X MISSION
“The future will not be as patient with us as the present”
MEETINGS INTERNATIONAL | BIR No. 06 2017
Already gathering pace, over the next three months the Dubai 10X initiative requires Dubai government and quasi-government entities to produce and implement three specific initiatives and present these to Sheikh Hamdan and Sheikh Maktoum. These initiatives are: X-units for each government entity The first requirement is for
every government entity to set up – and staff with adequate resources – an independent X-unit mandated with the objective of finding ways to disrupt their own organization's practices and develop their own moonshot solutions to deliver beyond their mission. This X-unit, such as the ‘Dubai 10X RTA Unit’ (for transport) or ‘Dubai 10X DEWA Unit’ (for electricity and water), will report directly to Sheikh Hamdan and Sheikh Maktoum.
involve reviewing and reconsidering the traditional organizational structure and hierarchies of government organizations, and finding new structures that facilitate creative innovation and disruption. Partnering with and facilitating disruptive solutions and removing regulatory obstacles The third
requirement is to develop processes and methodologies that will allow each Dubai government entity to work with truly disruptive companies and start-ups that radically offer better services or allow Dubai's residents to lead a happier life. Regulatory obstacles facing such disruptive companies should also be removed to allow for their uninterrupted operations.
Trial and scale radically disruptive organizational structures, systems and technologies The second
requirement is for government entities to develop systems, processes and labs to trial and scale radically disruptive technologies and approaches in order to deliver on their respective missions. This plan will also need to
photo Atti Soenarso (digital composite)
In contrast to incremental innovation that focuses on improving good services for existing customers, disruptive innovation will create new operating and business models that replace traditional services and provide significantly greater value for end users and customers. “Succeeding in becoming the best government in the world underlies the basic elements of creative disruption, allowing not only our tools and systems to be enhanced, but also our mindsets to be revamped, upgraded and open to embracing disruption,” says Sheikh Mohammed. “Dubai – and the UAE as a whole – is no stranger to raising the bar when it comes to innovation.” Launching the Dubai 10X initiative at this year's World Government Summit, Sheikh Mohammed was keen to emphazise the desire to seek the best ways to overhaul the way governments operate and make them all the more future-ready. To therefore ensure the initiative starts off with strong momentum and forges ahead, he is personally following up on reports prepared by teams of experts assembled at all government departments to redefine government work and to establish Dubai as the city of the future.
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LEGACY | 15
Expo 2020 Dubai ON TRACK FOR SUCCESS As we mark three years to go, preparations to deliver Expo 2020 Dubai – the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region – are well on track and making good progress. The Expo continues to advance in six key areas: International participation: Close to 150 countries have committed to take part. Since October 2016 Expo 2020 has made public announcements on the participation of countries including the United States, Malaysia, Italy, the United Kingdom, Indonesia, France, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Slovenia, Luxembourg, Greece, Tunisia, Kazakhstan and Chile. Secondly, with regards to commercial partnerships seven Premier Partners and two Official Partners have been announced. The Premier Partners so far are: Accenture – Official Digital Services Partner ( jointly with Etisalat). DP World – Official Global Trade Partner. Emirates Airline – Official Airline Partner. Emirates NBD – Official Banking Services Partner. Etisalat – Official Telecommunications Partner and Official Digital Services Partner ( jointly with Accenture). SAP – Official Innovative Enterprise Software
Partner. Siemens – Official Intelligent Infrastructure & Operations Partner. And the Official Partners announced so far are: DEWA – Official Sustainable Energy Partner and UPS – Official Logistics Partner. These partnerships play a vital role in delivering a successful Expo 2020 Dubai and supporting its legacy. Thirdly, on site delivery: Construction is well advanced on the three Theme Districts that form the core of the Expo site. Foundations are complete and buildings are beginning to emerge above ground. To date, more than 7.4 million work hours have been completed on the site, with 6,100 cubic metres of concrete being laid per week, and 53 km of pipe already laid for site infrastructure works. UAE-based companies are playing a leading role in the construction effort, and all major design elements are complete – the last being the iconic Al Wasl Plaza, a 150-metre wide, 69-metre tall domed space that will be enjoyed by millions of visitors. In January, Expo unveiled the Sustainability Pavilion, designed by Grimshaw Architects. The structure explores the potential for buildings to be self-sustaining in water and energy, by using innovative
combinations of technologies to harvest solar power, and water from the air. Piling is underway, and main basement construction will begin shortly. This year, more than AED 11 billion in Expo construction contracts and AED 360 million of non-construction contracts will be awarded, creating more Economic impact. This includes the award, earlier this year, of a contract to Dubai-based Al-Futtaim Carillion worth AED 2.2 billion. To date, 2,247 contracts worth AED 5.48 billion have been awarded. SMEs continue to be a priority, and these businesses have won 1,235 of these contracts. The Expo 2020 team continue to work to identify and promote opportunities to SMEs, including licensed merchandise and the AED 2 billion in food and beverage sales opportunities at the event. The first merchandise licensees will be announced later this year. In March 2017, Expo also kicked off its GCC Roadshow with a trip to Oman. The aim of the Roadshow is to meet business leaders in GCC countries and discuss how their companies can maximise opportunities from the first World Expo in the Arab world. 2017 No. 06 BIR | MEETINGS INTERNATIONAL
16 | LEGACY
Meanwhile, the Merchandising and Licensing programme was launched in December 2016. Some 5,000 types of official licensed products, inspired by the Expo subthemes of Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability, will be on sale. Merchandise during the megaevent will be sold at one of the world's largest souvenir outlets – a 3,000 square-metre ‘Superstore of the Future’.
the ideas that will make a lasting impact. World Expos have always been about innovation. And with the grants, this edition is taking this tradition to the next level: stimulating the development of ideas that will inspire millions of visitors, and may improve the lives of many millions more. Young people are the future, and the MEASA region is home to one of
“More than 7.4 million work hours have been completed on the site” The tendering process is being phased across 2017 and into 2018, however among the category of products already under way are facilities management, food and beverage, fragrances and luxury items. Expo 2020 has also held a number of events to support SMEs, including its second event in the Meet the Buyer series in September. The first two events have seen more than 315 companies, including SMEs, and business councils, given the opportunity to connect with Expo buyers and Expo's major contractors to showcase their products and services. Expo 2020 Dubai is committed to supporting the SME sector across the region and announced last year that 20 per cent of its direct and indirect spend will be awarded to SMEs. The theme, ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’, continues to inspire everybody on the journey to hosting Expo, and creating a special Social Impact. Leading up to Expo 2020 Dubai, the team are creating opportunities to connect people from every corner of the world and spark MEETINGS INTERNATIONAL | BIR No. 06 2017
the world's youngest populations. Expo 2020 Dubai's Youth Connect team continues to take forward an exciting programme of engagement with schools and educators across the UAE. Since October 2016 the team has connected with more than 540 schools in the UAE and met with children and teachers. They have also engaged with more than 310 universities in the UAE and abroad. Expo 2020 has also launched its search for up to 30,000 volunteers who will be the ‘face’ of the event. The registration portal to join the Expo 2020 Volunteer community was launched on 20 October, in collaboration with the Ministry of Community Development and Emirates Foundation. Via the Expo 2020 Dubai apprenticeship programme, 26 young people were also given the chance to take part in a nine-month training course at Expo. The apprenticeship programme is an example of Expo's contribution to placing competent and highly skilled young professionals into the UAE's
workforce and about 80 per cent of the apprentices have gone on to secure full-time positions with Expo 2020 Dubai. More apprentices will be taken on and the programme has been expanded following integration with another successful apprenticeship scheme for Emirati graduates run by the Jebel Ali Free Zone The Legacy: After Expo 2020 Dubai closes, its spirit and the accomplishments it triggered will live on to create a lasting and tangible impact on humanity for future generations to carry forward. This legacy has been an ever-present core of all planning. In September, they unveiled the exciting District 2020 legacy plans at Cityscape, which will see the site live on after Expo and become a new urban experience that will accommodate the newest trends of modern living, blending work and recreation. District 2020 will include 65,000 square metres of residential space and 135,000 square metres of commercial space in a location that will be home to world-class innovation, educational, cultural and entertainment facilities, as well as a conference and exhibition centre. Two Premier Partners, Siemens and Accenture have already committed to the legacy of Expo 2020, and will have a permanent presence in District 2020. Siemens will move its global logistics headquarters to the Expo site and Accenture will open a Digital Hub in District 2020. The Sustainability Pavilion, unveiled in January, will become a children and science centre after Expo closes.
RADAR | 17
Dubai Opera A FLOATING SPACESHIP Of the many plaudits that can be heaped on the numerous achievements in Dubai’s quest to be one of the top cities in the world, those for its cultural scene have remained notably low profile. Until now, that is. Those driving Dubai’s vision to be a top tier city have long understood that the city has to boost its cultural scene. At the vanguard of this, the Dubai Opera opened its doors to the public in August last year. With views of the 828-metre Burj Kalifa and Dubai Fountain, this high-tech opera house will serve as the city’s cultural heart for music and arts. Designed by Danish architect Janus Rostock and with an artistic nod to Dubai’s long history as a port city, the opera house is shaped like a
‘dhow’, the traditional wooden boat that has been used for centuries in the Gulf’s waters. The 2,000-seat venue can also be transformed into three modes: as a theatre, a flat-floored hall suitable for banquets and weddings, and as a concert hall. Repurposed as an event venue, the space can become an 1,800 square metre flat floor venue that can hold up to 1,000 people for gala dinners, banquets, fashion shows, product launches, exhibitions and much more besides. It is also possible to have a behind-the-scenes tour of the entertainment venue. Dubai Opera will stand as, quite literally, the flagship of The Opera District, to be developed by Dubaibased Emaar Properties that also
built the Burj Kalifa. Scheduled to be completed by 2020, the District will also feature hotels, art museums, shops, galleries, three residential towers, a retail plaza, waterfront promenades and recreational parks. On completion, it will become the largest cultural centre anywhere in the world. Jasper Hope, the former chief operating officer of Royal Albert Hall in London, is now the chief executive officer of Dubai Opera, and he is expected to draw high-calibre events not only from around the world, but also from talent in the region.
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BLOCKCHAIN | 19
Wesam Lootah
photo Roger Kellerman
Launched THE DUBAI BLOCKCHAIN STRATEGY Despite still being a nascent technology, Blockchain technology is widely considered to be one of the most innovative inventions of the past 200 years and is gradually being implemented across sectors such as the financial, supply-chain operations, venture capitalist, retail, realestate and much more besides. Given its embryonic status, there is still a lot to learn as it matures and becomes more widely accepted and utilised, meaning there is also significant scope for the right forums to come about to disseminate this necessary learning too. Setting the pace for learning about Blockchain technology is the UNLOCK Forum on Blockchain and the Future of the Sharing Economy, to be held on January 14 and 15, 2018, in Dubai, UAE, an event organized by the Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal Group, a leader in conference organization in the MENA* region. The forum will bring together leading international experts on Blockchain technology, as well as more than 400 attendees from across the region, and Smart Dubai has signed on as a Key one sponsor for the forum. “Blockchain is one of the most revolutionary breakthroughs humanity has had in recent years, but the world remains hesitant and, at times, even averse to exploring and using the technology to its full potential,”
says Wesam Lootah, CEO of Smart Dubai Government Establishment (SDG), at the Cityscape Conference in Dubai in September. “This is not the case in Dubai, where the government launched the Dubai Blockchain Strategy to become the first government in the world to completely forego paper transactions and carry out all of its business through this technology by 2020. Dubai also recently held the Global Blockchain Challenge, through which we sought to offer a glimpse and a roadmap to the boundless opportunities that this technology can offer.” The UNLOCK Forum will aim to not only increase awareness and knowhow on Blockchain technology and its implementation across various sectors, but also showcase the Dubai Blockchain Strategy's achievements so far and the plans for 2020 and beyond. Dubai is acknowledged as one of the only governments anywhere in the world to have embraced Blockchain technology in its entirety and across the full spectrum of government services where it can be applied. “Dubai has been making great strides in its city-wide smart transformation, tapping into all such cuttingedge technologies to tailor them to cater to the needs of its citizens,” says Dr. Aisha Bin Bishr, director general of the Smart Dubai Office. “Dubai has
taken a confident lead in launching bold and pragmatic initiatives and projects that use technology to make people's lives easier and happier.” “At Smart Dubai, we are committed to achieving our mission and objectives to make Dubai the smartest and happiest city in the world and are always ready to provide support for and share our extensive expertise with events and projects that can spread progress and happiness in Dubai and the UAE,” adds Dr. Aisha Bin Bishr.
“Blockchain is one of the most revolutionary breakthroughs humanity has had in recent years” * MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region = Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malta, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, West Bank and Gaza, and Yemen, with Ethiopia and Sudan sometimes included.
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Smart Cities CAN MAKE PEOPLE HAPPIER TEXT
Dr. Aisha Bin Bishr photo Atti Soenarso
Atti Soenarso Designing deep into the 21st century, of all genius inventor Elon Musk's futuristic creations his Tesla car is probably the one that has most widely captured the popular imagination. Fully battery powered, self-navigating, a high-end computer on wheels, a beautiful design and with models that can easily outstrip German and Italian sports cars from a standing start, Musk has reinvented the complete idea of a car with his incredibly smart and sophisticated machines. The challenge Tesla faces around the world, however, is finding countries and cities that can support their vanguard innovation, as a Tesla needs a network of supercharging stations and dedicated service centres. Many destinations around the globe are far from being ‘Tesla-ready’, so to speak, yet one destination has been making sure that it is ready, including for any other smart technology that may be coming on stream – that destination is Dubai. “Last year we implemented almost 130 charging stations all over the city, and now there are more than 200 charging stations,” says Dr. Aisha Bin Bishr, Director General of the Smart Dubai Office, a government entity charged with overseeing Dubai's citywide smart transformation and engaging with leadership in the public and private sector to make Dubai a global benchmark smart city. “When
Tesla saw this aggressive investment from the city they found it positive; this city has a vision and a full plan, and is implementing a plan for our sustainability.” Before her current role in the Smart Dubai office, Dr. Aisha Bin Bishr was Assistant Director General of the Executive Office, where she leads the Smart Dubai task force team from the announcement of the Smart Dubai initiative in March 2014 to the formation of the Smart Dubai Office, and her work in leading roles has been acknowledged through decorations such as Middle East Woman Leader in Corporate Management Excellence (2012) as well as recognition for her role in enabling the smart city vision of His Highness Mohammed bin Rashid from the Swedish Embassy, Trade & Invest Council and Ericsson. It is, therefore, more than reasonable to assert that she has a comprehensive understanding of exactly what being a ‘smart city’ means, as well as how to deliver it. “A smart city is a city that can feel you, sense you and provide you with all your needs, a seamless city where all the systems are fully connected, but also our experience is seamless – when you leave your home your car understands you, the streets sense your needs and take you through roads that make it easy for you to reach your destination, and when you reach your destination also the
space and place can understand your needs,” says Dr. Aisha Bin Bishr. “In short, a fully connected and integrated city, but also a happier city with people living there feeling that they are appreciated by the city and provided with all their needs – this is a smart city.” At the moment, the core projects in the Smart City pipeline are handled by Smart Dubai, with the city as a unified platform for government services being one of the main projects up and running for the past year and a half, although they are now also looking forward to more functionality in their systems, such as artificial intelligence, whereby that application, in particular, can then understand a person's lifestyle and start to join the dots between the systems of government. “There is also the blockchain project that is one of the main strategies launched last year where by 2020 all applicable government services that can run a blockchain will be converted, and I now see that we can reach that before 2020,” explains Dr. Aisha Bin Bishr. “The technology is already mature, and the teams here in Dubai have been at intensive courses to understand what technology blockchain is and how we can address the different challenges and services in Dubai through this kind of new technology. We now have a full list of use cases that are applicable, so hopefully, 2017 No. 06 BIR | MEETINGS INTERNATIONAL
destinations might. One of these is that the decision-making and the processes for decisions are very fast, as well as the execution of decisions. In addition to this and as part of their modernizing and enticing drive for their city, Dubai is also able to review policies and legislative systems when required and where progress demands it, with an emphasis on supporting the visions of the key decision makers and innovators rather than
“A smart city is a city that can feel you, sense you and provide you with all your needs” we are implementing all these new technologies, so why do we still have paper,” says Dr. Aisha Bin Bishr. “He said that we should be a paperless city and to let us celebrate 2021 not only as the fiftieth anniversary of our nation and the golden jubilee but also as the last paper transaction by the government.” “We will reach this goal earlier if we simply connect all the services,” adds Dr. Aisha Bin Bishr. “For instance, in verifying oneself to the government we are now doing it literally through ‘Dubai ID’ – today there is no need to take a passport, an ID or a birth certificate to any government entity for any type of service, as all the systems behind the scene in the government are integrated electronically, so there is no need for paper. We know that we will be reaching that aim before 2021.” Dubai has some notable advantages in being able to embrace and delivers such Smart City aims in tighter time frames than other MEETINGS INTERNATIONAL | BIR No. 06 2017
inhibiting development and advancement. And driving all of this is a clear vision supported by a sound strategy of where Dubai wants to get to in its sustainable future. “The strategy already launched about our smart environment in Dubai sets out that by 2030, 25 per cent of our energy will be renewable and that by 2050 it will be 75 per cent, but we want it to be double this, as these technologies are available in our region and because the prices are getting lower and lower, which allows for expediting their implementation,” says Dr. Aisha Bin Bishr. “We have the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which is an 800 megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic (PV) plant, phase 3 of which is part of what will be the largest single-site solar park in the world, with a planned capacity of 5,000 MW by 2030. The plant is being developed on a 16 square kilometre area in Seih Al Dahal, located on the outskirts of Dubai.”
The massive uplift in renewable energy resource will harmonise perfectly with increasing numbers of Teslas that will be on Dubai's roads, and while the city already does have electric cars on its streets the next 20–30 years are set to bear witness to a dramatic rise in their numbers. At the same time, new technology such as that being accelerated by Elon Musk will begin to make the man and his smart car become a more innovative ensemble in the city streets too. “I envision there will be no need for traffic lights or roundabouts or any junctions, as all these cars are designed to drive without accidents and free of speed management,” says Dr. Aisha Bin Bishr. “It will be different discussions in the coming 20 years; when all these cars are programmed for a specific speed so that my car understands the street, I don't ever have to think ‘there might be a radar there’.” Not only different discussions about cars and speed, but there will also be very different discussions about city planning too, which will require a completely different mindset and a quantum leap in thinking. City planners will be obliged to educate themselves on how to embrace all the technologies that are gradually being implemented in cities. Today's tech discussions are somewhat limited to the Internet of Things, big data, our mobiles and other devices, but not yet to street furniture or the actual city itself. Streets, lamps, even the trees(!) … will all be connected in the cities of the future, which makes the house of the future also a highly relevant topic. Presciently, some time back at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), the MBRSC team were thinking about this exact topic when they revealed engineering practices and technology that would be deployed
Dubai Silicon Park Smart City concept
we can implement this even before the 2020 deadline.” A further landmark project and part of Dubai's overall vision is to have the final government paper transaction take place in 2021, which was a specific direction of His Highness Saeed Mohammad, Al Tayer, Chairman and sponsor of Smart Dubai. “When we presented the next five-year plan to him he said that
source Itp.net
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Museum of the Future concept
“All the systems behind the scene in the government are integrated electronically, so there is no need for paper”
in the house of the future, including insulation techniques, a cooling system based on chilled water and mechanical air filtration, as well as a smart management and control system. They also stressed that the aim of the project would be to reduce energy consumption, cut carbon emissions and provide cutting-edge housing to produce a comfortable, efficient internal environment for those living in hot and humid countries. MBRSC launched the sustainable autonomous house project as part of its research efforts in sustainability and green buildings. The house uses energy production and storing technology similar to that used when building satellites and space shuttles. This sustainable, autonomous house is the embodiment of the UAE's comprehensive, forward-looking vision, one that aims to preserve and protect the environment, as well as use smart technology as much as possible to make people's lives easier and happier. “The passive house is a new type of engineering, as when I build my home today, for every room, I plan for the air-conditioning that is part of the work and that has something like 3 to 3.2 tonnes of weight to that
component,” says Dr. Aisha Bin Bishr. “They are now talking about a whole house for 1.5 tonnes with systems that qualify the air and distribute it properly, so why should I need energy produced in this space.” “They will have almost 220 sensors in a small house, so even architects will have to educate themselves,” adds Dr. Aisha Bin Bishr. “With this new technology, the whole city will change. I am doing public housing, and if I do 100 units with passive houses, it will cost me almost 40 per cent less than the normal way of doing houses. There will be no need to install a full generator with full electricity and cables, because it will be self-sustained with solar panels. People will need to become smarter and understand how all these systems and solutions work; it will no longer be enough for decision-makers to decide – people will need to understand themselves.” In reaching this new understanding, people will find themselves in very new and unfamiliar surroundings, which may make those of us in the present day ponder on whether smart homes in increasingly smart cities will help perpetuate Shakespeare's observation that ‘people usually are the happiest at home’.
“Recently we have been selected to be a member of the Global Happiness Council in the United Nations, as well as a current sub-committee called ‘Happy Cities’,” says Dr. Aisha Bin Bishr. “I put a full report around on what the things are that make cities happier and today people are seeing how a smart city project is equal to having a happier city.” “Today I do believe that if I utilize all the resources in my city efficiently to serve my needs for the people who are living in the city, it means that I am reaching my happiness destination faster and on a clearer path,” adds Dr. Aisha Bin Bishr. “There are other aspects – whether it is physical or mental health – that are main elements of configuration of human beings, but as a smart city being implemented properly from every aspect, from road structure through to television, this will take it to happiness.” “This is what we are working on today, and we are proposing presenting our findings in February next year,” says Dr. Aisha Bin Bishr. “Our smart cities can make people happier.”
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We Are on the Right Track BUILDING A KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY TEXT
Atti Soenarso
photo Atti Soenarso
Thanks to a spirit of cooperation that exists between the government, industry and local communities, Dubai has a strong track record of hosting business events. At the crossroads of Africa, the Middle East and Asia, the city's strategic location offers easy access to many of the world's largest and fastest-growing economies. A third of the global population is within four hours flight time, while two thirds are within eight hours. On top of this, Dubai is home to more than 200 nationalities, and the emirate welcomes individuals of all backgrounds and faiths. It will come as no surprise that over the past two decades, Dubai has become the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia headquarter for many multinational organizations, and consequently a growing number of international associations have come together in the emirate to meet, exchange knowledge and network. Responding to this growth, Dubai Association Centre (DAC) was
established 2014 by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing and Dubai World Trade Centre, with the express purposes of offering assistance for the establishment of non-profit, apolitical and non-religious professional associations and trade bodies in The Emirate of Dubai. “We have the centre available as a one-stop shop, to help associates to set up,” says Steen Jakobsen, Director, Dubai Business Events & City Operations, Dubai Tourism. “Associations are starting to realize that this region provides great opportunities for them to grow, and not just international associations. Several of them are American associations and British institutes who want to bring their services and their events outside their normal geographical region.” DAC offers a formal environment for regional and international associations to establish in Dubai, where they can open a chapter or a regional 2017 No. 06 BIR | MEETINGS INTERNATIONAL
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representative office to conduct business in the UAE and beyond. In recognizing the opportunities open to associations, DAC has in its short tenure already come a long way and, as a result, associations are now able to benefit from economies of scale, experience in the association marketplace, flexibility and adaptability, buying power and DAC's centralised facilities – with even more to come.
an opportunity to discover this at the two-day Dubai Association Conference on December 11–12 this year. “The programme will have both local and international speakers, as well as supporting partners such as ASAE, ICCA, PCMA, IAPCO and the African Society of Executives Board,” says Steen Jakobsen. “Immediately following the event, there will be a study mission for executives from the
“Instead of being consumers of created knowledge, we have started to produce it ourselves” “It has been a natural step that we have initiated an annual event, which is called the Dubai Association Conference, not only for associations who are already based in Dubai or the Middle East, but also as a platform for international associations looking to learn more about the opportunities available,” says Steen Jakobsen. “Associations have been saying to us that they are thirsty for knowledge and education in their field, but not all can go to an ASAE annual meeting or another such event where association executives typically go to learn. We want to provide a platform for that in our region.” Setting out to slake the association thirst for knowledge through its annual event, DAC has benchmarked against an event that it supports and has been attending for the past three years – The European Association Summit organized by Visit Brussels. It is a template for what they would like to achieve, and the kind of results they would like to generate for their association fraternity. There is MEETINGS INTERNATIONAL | BIR No. 06 2017
attending international associations. The study mission features a two-day programme allowing international association executives to meet their local counterparts, and they will also visit the Dubai Future Foundation hub to upgrade their awareness of the future of The Emirate. We will also bring them to the site for Expo 2020 Dubai so that they can see an example of the opportunities available to them.” “We are expecting approximately 200 participants, and the registration is coming along nicely,” adds Steen Jakobsen. “On December 10, just before the Dubai Association Conference, we are organizing the Middle East Meetings Forum in partnership with ICCA and PCMA. The Middle East Meetings Forum is a full-day educational event for the business industry in Dubai.” Dubai Business Events has teamed up with ICCA and PCMA to develop a strong and relevant educational programme for the meetings industry suppliers in The Emirate. Having
ICCA work in tandem with Dubai Business Events to drive the Middle East Meetings Forum is also an important partnership ahead of the ICCA Congress scheduled for next year in Dubai, November 11–14, 2018. The broader collaboration of industry associations in Dubai that will be further boosted by Dubai Association Conference is also having the tangible effect of raising awareness of business events and the benefits of a more coherent industry. “There is increasing awareness of the impact associations can have on their respective sectors and fields. In turn, strong locally based associations can attract more business events to Dubai,” says Steen Jakobsen. “I also think we have managed to engender much more cohesion and collaboration in the industry, which is for the benefit of the clients. Furthermore, we have been able to raise the recognition of business events among other government entities, which is something that can be a strategic tool for them, whichever branch of government they are.” “The support for our Al Safeer Congress Ambassador programme has also grown. Today we have more than 300,” says Steen Jakobsen. “The ambassadors are increasingly approaching us about conferences we can work together to bid for and bring to Dubai. The programme has really gathered momentum since being established in 2010.” To continue its business events growth trajectory, Dubai will need to ensure it can offer associations more than just strong connectivity, venues and other hygiene factors. When it comes to scientific and technological conferences, there is a need for local societies and associations that can compete with their peers in Europe, North America and Asia when it comes to content.
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“Every government entity has been tasked by the executive council to lead a number of future oriented projects”
Dubai Business Events understands the role programme content, keynote speakers, and other core elements of an event play in elevating a conference's prominence. “We are still a knowledge-developing society and in terms of experts and speakers, researchers and scientists, we are not yet at the same level as they would be in Stockholm or Vienna, or any of those other more mature knowledge hubs around the world,” says Steen Jakobsen. “There are certain cities that have built a strong reputation, when it comes to knowledge, research and science, over many decades or even centuries. They have the content, and the expertise, and that is why people want to go there. “The situation with Dubai is rapidly improving. We are seeing a transition in Dubai, in the UAE and across the wider region for it to be more of a knowledge producer and a knowledge exporter, rather than just a knowledge importer,” says Steen Jakobsen. “Instead of being consumers of created knowledge, we have started to produce it ourselves, but that takes some time. You can build a hotel and a convention centre in a relatively short time, but you can't build a knowledge base in just a few
years. However, we are on the right track building the knowledge society here – it is very much driven by the 2021 vision.” The UAE Vision 2021 vision is very much about understanding what the country's future looks like based on a sound understanding of its past, and then setting out to deliver this future, rather than have it sculpted by external forces. In taking this approach, its ambition sets it apart from the majority of countries around the world, including those often labelled as advanced. This also means that Dubai always has some projects in the pipeline that set the pace for global change in their levels of daring and forward thinking. “We have the 10X initiative that is a very visible and concrete initiative setting out to make sure that the Dubai government is ten years ahead of every other government worldwide. With regards to what other governments are introducing in terms of legislation, technology, communication or workspace, the Dubai government wants to be ten years ahead of them,” says Steen Jakobsen. “Every government entity has been tasked by the Executive Council to lead some future-oriented projects,
which have cascaded all the way down to the departments.” “Dubai Association Centre is one of these innovations that can help transform things,” says Steen Jakobsen.
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World's Biggest Solar Park TO BE BUILT IN DUBAI
photo DEWA
In January 2012, Sheikh Mohammed launched the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the largest single-site solar park in the world. Expanding over 77 square kilometres, it will generate 1,000 MW by 2020 and 5,000 MW by 2030, with total investment reaching AED 50 billion. Once operational, the solar park will reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by over 6.5 million tonnes. By 22 October 2013, the solar park already reached an step in achieving Dubai's objectives to diversify its energy mix when the 13 MW first phase became operational. The 200 MW second phase is the first and largest project of its kind in the region and was implemented in partnership with a consortium led by ACWA Power from Saudi Arabia and Spain's TSK, with an investment of AED 1.2 billion. This phase alone will generate clean energy for 50,000 residences in Dubai and reduce carbon emissions by 214,000 tonnes per year. In June 2016, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) announced the Abu Dubai Future Energy Company (Masdar)-led consortium as the selected bidder for the 800MW third phase of the solar park, which will be implemented in stages until 2020. At the same time at work proceeds on this project, DEWA is also working on building the largest Concentrated
Solar Power (CSP) project in the world, for which the 200MW first phase of its plant will be operational by April 2021. The authority aims to generate 1,000 MW using this technology by 2030. To help promote and achieve all of this, DEWA is developing an interactive innovation centre, equipped with the latest technologies in clean and renewable energy, to enhance national energy skills, support business competitiveness and encourage social awareness about renewable and sustainable energy. The centre's design features five floors over its 90-metre height in a project that will be complete by 2017. The authority also launched an R&D centre in 2014, which is currently under construction and set to be complete by 2020. This centre will focus on four operations, which are:
1
monitoring energy consumption, the effect of new technologies on the grids, renewable energy and storage technologies, electric vehicle infrastructure, 3D printing, and using drones in operations and maintenance.
3
Energy Efficiency Cooperate
with partners and educational institutions all over the world, invest in innovation and creativity, and work to develop the next generation's capabilities of using solar energy through many pioneering initiatives.
4
Water Work to develop sus-
tainable solutions to desalinate and purify water using solar energy. Also aim to develop technology to produce drinking water by collecting humidity from the air.
Producing electricity using solar energy Research, con-
ducted in cooperation with international organizations, will focus on studying photovoltaic panels, and limiting the impact of dust, to maintain their performance.
2
Integration of Smart Grids Conduct research to
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RTA Has Set Strategies TO SHAPE THE FUTURE OF TRANSPORT TEXT
Volocopter
photo RTA
Roger Kellerman Ensuring people can move freely and quickly to their destination is pivotal to the economic success of today's world cities. The transport system that a city puts in place to achieve this is equally pivotal to that city's own desired future destination. Understanding this, Dubai's transport system is on track for a very smart future, one where 25 per cent of all trips will be smart or driverless by 2030 and 50 per cent of private cars will have self-driving features within the next ten years. The Emirate is already using new technology to address the opportunities and challenges facing the transportation sector, but whilst Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), has said he is ‘optimistic for the future of transportation’, he has also cautioned that ‘questions and challenges remain’ too. In order to grapple with such questions and tackle any challenges, the RTA has set strategies to shape the future of transport. The Dubai Self-Driving Strategy is one of these,
aiming to achieve at least 25 per cent of all trips in Dubai through selfdriving transport by 2030. There is also the recently approved ‘RTA Digital Strategy’, focusing on innovative technology solutions tailored for end users. “Our Dubai Self-Driving Strategy is the world's largest multi-modal self-driving strategy available,” says Mattar Al Tayer. “We are not only focusing on private vehicles, but also targeting seven public transport modes to become self-driving. Moreover, we are currently studying and piloting several futuristic modes.” “We also believe the RTA Digital Strategy will be a world benchmark approach,” says Mattar Al Tayer. “We have already started our transformation and we are proud to say that Dubai has already implemented some future modes.” Controlling all the modes of transportation in the city is the Enterprise Command & Control Centre (EC3), while the Dubai Integrated Mobility Platform is a one-stop application for users to plan and book their entire journeys. In the future, these journeys will also be able to be done
on some of the key projects that RTA is currently working on, such as The Route 2020 and a world first Autonomous Air Taxi (AAT). The Route 2020 includes the extension of the Dubai Metro Red Line 15 kilometres from Nakheel Harbour and Tower Station to the site of Expo 2020. Comprising an 11-kilometre long viaduct and four-kilometre long underground rail tracks, it will have seven stations: five elevated, two underground. It is the AAT, however, that has really captured the world's imagination and its test run has been a success. Capable of carrying two passengers, the AAT has a variety of features that include top security and safety standards. It is also fitted with optional emergency parachutes, nine independent battery systems and a battery quick-charge and plug-in system. In the prototype version, this takes two hours to reach full charge, a time that will be significantly reduced in the production version. Powered by clean electricity and featuring low noise levels, AAT is also an environmentally friendly vehicle. The current prototype version has 2017 No. 06 BIR | MEETINGS INTERNATIONAL
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photo iStock.com/Grafissimo
“50 per cent of private cars will have self-driving features within the next ten years”
a maximum flight time of approximately 30 minutes at a cruising speed of 50 km/h, with a maximum air speed of 100 km/h. “Over the next five years, the RTA will collaborate with the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority and the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority to ensure that the operational requirements for implementing AAT services are put in place,” says Mattar Al Tayer. “These requirements include developing laws and policies governing certification of the aircraft and AAT operations at an Emirate and Federal level. “In addition to that the operational requirements will define aerial routes and corridors, design and locate take-off and landing points, set standards for official operators of AAT services in Dubai, identify the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders, and specify security and safety standards for the AAT,” adds Mattar Al Tayer. “It also comes as part of RTA's efforts to provide autonomous transportation by conducting the required technological tests of those vehicles under the climatic conditions of Dubai,” continues Mattar Al Tayer. “The move echoes Dubai's Smart Autonomous Mobility Strategy that MEETINGS INTERNATIONAL | BIR No. 06 2017
seeks to transform a quarter of the total mobility journeys in Dubai into autonomous transport by 2030.” “One further objective is to enhance the integration between mass transit modes and people's happiness by providing smooth, fast and innovative transit modes,” says Mattar Al Tayer. Dubai's Transport Innovation
Dubai Metro is fully driver-less (650,000 passengers/day). Self-driving shuttles already trialed in Dubai Downtown and Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR). RTA started testing hybrid taxis in 2009, with the current taxi fleet including over 900 hybrid taxis, around 10 per cent of the total fleet. Dubai has already the largest global Tesla public fleet of 200 electric airport limos. Since 09/09/09, RTA has deployed a world-class unified and seamless fare collection system for public transport (NOL). RTA has implemented smart solutions, such as: Smart Car Rentals, Smart Bus Shelters, Smart Yard Testing and Virtual Reality Training for New Drivers.
Currently over 173 smart services, reducing the number of customer visits by more than 50 per cent in the past two years.
photo Nikandtam
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Top Treats BY SEAN CONNOLLY TEXT
Roger Kellerman Located at the top the Dubai Opera, one of the UAE's most iconic buildings, the eponymous Sean Connolly at Dubai Opera is the British born chef's first restaurant in the Middle East. Sean Connolly is one of Australia's and New Zealand's most instantly recognizable and respected chefs, with restaurants in Auckland, Adelaide, Sydney and Byron Bay. His trademark down-to-earth cooking style and enthusiasm for food have earned him an array of awards and industry accolades throughout the Southern hemisphere. With over 25 years’ experience in the kitchen, he has also become a household name for his entertaining TV series, which are broadcast in 35 countries worldwide. His latest creation in Dubai is a contemporary brasserie with an uncomplicated and produce-focused
menu serving seafood and steak that can be enjoyed in the main restaurant, the cocktail Pearl Bar or on the rooftop terrace with its impressive views of the Burj Khalifa. The design of the restaurant was inspired by the highly irregular shape and scale of the Dubai Opera building. Each design element within the venue has explored ideas of the sea, from the oyster with its combination of smooth, sensual surface and textured outer shell to the oceanic tones and colours of corals and pearlescent hues. So how does all this work? Well, on exiting the elevator to go into the restaurant there are a set of impressions that instantly create a feel-good factor: the smell of excellent food, the greeting of well trained staff that awaits you immediately once the elevator doors open, some extremely
well chosen and quaintly old-fashioned music filling the air (despite this perhaps being a touch too loud …) All in all, very good vibes right from the off. It was no surprise that despite our plans to enjoy some of Mozart's Cosi fan Tutte and then to eat elsewhere, the allure of the restaurant was too strong and we made time for a quick sample of the kitchen and an accompanying glass … While savouring a delicious snack and exquisite wine, from our vantage point we could also have a good check of the Raw Bar, Fire Bar, central Pearl Bar and the outdoor rooftop terrace. Along with the opera going on inside, this is all in very good tune and certain to hit the high notes.
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Solar Panels on the Roofs OF ALL BUILDINGS BY 2030 TEXT
Roger Kellerman Dubai has through Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) made considerable progress in advancing its efforts to achieve the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050. Sheikh Mohammed launched the strategy to make Dubai a global centre of clean energy and green economy. The plan consists of five main pillars: Infrastructure, legislation, funding, building capacities, and skills, an environmentally friendly energy mix. The infrastructure pillar includes initiatives such as the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, at a total investment of AED 50 billion. By 2030, the solar park will generate 25 per cent of the total power MEETINGS INTERNATIONAL | BIR No. 06 2017
output of Dubai. It also includes a comprehensive innovation centre and the establishment of a new free zone, called the Dubai Green Zone, to attract research and development centres and emerging companies in clean energy. The second pillar focuses on the establishment of a legislative structure supporting clean energy policies in two phases. The first will implement through the Shams Dubai initiative, which aims to encourage building owners to place solar panels on the roofs and link them to DEWA's power network. The second phase includes coordination with Dubai Municipality to issue a set
of decisions on the integration of consumption rationalization technology and energy production, and the requirement to install solar panels on the roofs of all buildings in Dubai by 2030. The third pillar is related to financing solutions for investment in research and development on clean energy and its application. This component includes the establishment of the AED 100 billion Dubai Green Fund, which will help provide loans for investors in the clean energy sector in The Emirate at reduced interest rates. DEWA will ensure the demand management and economic value of the project.
photo DEWA
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PROGRESS | 37
The fourth pillar will build skills and knowledge through global training programmes in clean energy, in cooperation with international organizations and institutes such as the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), and global companies and R&D centres. The pillar will contribute to the creation of a sustainable model for research
commitment to deploy an infrastructure and charging stations for electric vehicles is another area of sustainability in which Dubai is taking a leadership role. Shams Dubai is an initiative that encourages customers to install photovoltaic panels to generate electricity at home from solar power. The electricity is used on-site, and
“The solar park will generate 25 per cent of the total power output of Dubai” and development in the area of clean energy based on specialized skill sets for this market. The fifth pillar focuses on creating an environmentally-friendly energy mix with solar power generating 25 per cent, nuclear power 7 per cent, clean coal 7 per cent, and gas 61 per cent by 2030. The combination will gradually increase the employment of clean energy to 75 per cent by 2050, providing Dubai with the smallest carbon footprint city in the world. In support of the Smart Dubai Initiative, DEWA has launched three initiatives that will contribute to transforming Dubai into the smartest and happiest city in the world within three years and promoting sustainable development. These actions include: installing solar power in homes and buildings, setting up intelligent meters and grids, and developing electric vehicle charging stations and infrastructure. The Green Charger initiative encourages people to switch to electric vehicles and drive them, by providing battery charging stations at convenient locations like parking lots, malls and fuel stations. DEWA's
the surplus is exported to DEWA's grid. An offset between exported and imported electricity is conducted, and the customer account is settled based on this offset. The smart meters and smart applications initiative involves the deployment of smart meters in combination with making electricity and water systems smarter. It will provide additional services that will be available to customers at their fingertips. With the aid of a computer or smartphone, it will allow them to monitor their electricity and water consumption and assist in controlling in-home usage to save energy. Dubai Plan 2021 addresses the future of Dubai's urban environment including both natural and built assets and looks at the living experience of the people of Dubai, and its visitors as a result of their interaction with this environment and the economic and social services provided. Also, the plan also focuses on the economy, which is the city's development engine and its fuel for its march forward. The Smart Dubai initiative and Dubai Electricity & Water Authority's
three actions are fully-aligned to the Dubai Plan 2021, as they will all contribute to the four primary objectives to achieve a smart and sustainable city. The first is a smart, integrated and connected city, supported by the Green Charger and Smart Grid initiatives. The second is that Dubai will be sustainable with its resources, supported by the Shams Dubai initiative and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. DEWA is committed to ensuring the third objective, that environmental elements are clean, healthy and sustainable, by ensuring sustainability within its vision, mission, and operations. The authority is also committed to the development of a safe and resilient built environment by supporting and implementing the Green Building regulations alongside Dubai Municipality.
2017 No. 06 BIR | MEETINGS INTERNATIONAL
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VOLUNTEERS | 39
Sharing IS A PART OF THE CULTURE TEXT
Roger Kellerman
▲ photo Atti Soenarso
photo Community Development Authority, Dubai
Ahmed Hassan Lootah Head of Volunteer Section, CDA The Community Development Authority (CDA) is the body responsible for the development of regulations as well as for services such as those for people with special needs, financial benefits, family consultations and human rights. Some of the other services they provide are in having responsibility for the interface between people and the authority itself. We spoke to Ahmed Hassan Lootah, Head of Volunteer Section at CDA, about the scope of their work, about volunteering and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). How does CDA engage with the business community?
“One of our services is the provision of licenses, so we are responsible for licensing civic society with respect to regulating their work and activities. We regulate and provide licensing services to non-profit social clubs and
associations that organize ongoing social, cultural, artistic or entertainment activities. This is to regulate the activities of clubs and associations and monitor the quality of services they offer to the general public.” “Another side we have is with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), which is an aspect where we aim to cooperate with the private sector and bridge social gaps to promote the role of sustainable development. We try to get a contribution from the private sector, so we work a lot with the business community by way of engagement in organizing. Sometimes we have big events in the city that require a lot of manpower, and they always seek help from volunteers to give them a helping hand, which is something we can help with.” Can you tell us more about the Dubai Volunteering Programme?
“It is an initiative launched by CDA to manage volunteering services in the UAE, with a special focus on The Emirate of Dubai. The programme links initiatives and events of various authorities and organizations with willing volunteers, thereby fostering a spirit of unity and volunteer work throughout the community.”
“Under the slogan ‘Volunteering makes the UAE proud’, the programme provides those who want to volunteer with the opportunity to register and actively serve the community, as well as help, spread a culture of volunteerism across the UAE. The programme invites young men and women, academics, professionals and experts to devote their time and efforts to improving people's lives, supporting the community and uplifting themselves through a sense of fulfilment.” How did the programme start out? How much has it grown?
“It was started by us and is our responsibility; we work as an umbrella to maintain the relationship between volunteers and the establishment. We have the authority of x-company that support us by announcing about us CDA and the smart mobile applications. We have an online form here. And then it gets announced and published. Another side of the supporter we have access for the volunteers. Any individual or nationality can take part and via information provided by us they can see on their mobile where they can help out. We create volunteer profiles, 2017 No. 06 BIR | MEETINGS INTERNATIONAL
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“The social responsibility programme will be introduced in all schools … volunteering is one of the mandates for graduation”
and we also create lists of volunteers and where and whom they can help.” “Today we have 7,200 volunteers in the programme, of which 49 per cent are women. Age stats show that more than 60 per cent is between the ages of 18 to 35. Volunteering starts from as young as six years old, which might seem to be a very low age, but written parental consent is required for all children under 18 years, and of course volunteers must be able to physically fulfil any duties of a role. We have a good number of secondary and school–age people among the volunteers. Regulation has been approved for the age of volunteering and social responsibility starting from next year, and the social responsibility programme will be introduced in all schools in Dubai.” What is the most common thing that volunteers help out with?
“We have different categories – we have event management, casual work, disaster work and social work. For disaster work, we have other organizations helping aside from us. From our part I can say that the majority of volunteering falls under social work – we have a lot of social operatives, such as for special needs or taking care of MEETINGS INTERNATIONAL | BIR No. 06 2017
the elderly. The other element is in working together with other government departments. Expo 2020 will have to rely on volunteers, and we will need 30,000 of them to manage it.” Do you expect the volunteer programme to grow?
“Yes. The number of volunteers in 2017 exceeds that of 2016, and this is thanks to the information in schools and universities. Volunteering is one of the mandates for graduation; pupils have to fulfil a specific number of volunteer hours to graduate.” Will there be a lot of students involved in Expo 2020?
“Expo 2020 will require people from different fields, different nationalities and different age groups because visitor expectations will be high. It will therefore definitely have volunteers from universities and schools, and from different age groups.” Looking in detail at CSR, is it a growing sector in Dubai?
“As a driver of society's development, CSR is very important here, and it is of growing importance. A large proportion of the key players in Dubai – the top management of companies, all
government authorities and much more besides – all put a major focus on this topic. Sheikh Mohammed has announced that in 2017 the UAE is focusing on it, showing that it stems from the top, with leadership giving a primary focus to CSR and questions of CSR. From the many initiatives going on you can see that it is of prime interest to every sector, both government and private, and it is growing by the day.” “There was a major brainstorming event involving Sheikh Mohammed with all the relevant departments of government and the private sector there to educate about what CSR means, where the channels for it are and where it should go. CDA had focused on CSR a lot for that and contributed a full session. It is something that is growing.” “The number of volunteering organizations is also a growing sector, increasing by 54 over the year. A year ago, it was 67 and now it's 103. The numbers of volunteers have also increased, from 57,200 in 2016 to over 70,228 at this point of 2017, a figure that continues to rise. These are all important questions, and we will keep focusing on them for the future.”
INFRASTRUCTURE | 41
The Aim 500 KM TOTAL CYCLE NETWORK LENGTH BY 2021 Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), has announced that they have completed 90 per cent of a new cycling route in the Mushrif, Mirdif and Khawaneej areas. The 32 kilometre route, scheduled for completion in November, was introduced in collaboration with Sheikh Hamdan, the Dubai Crown Prince, to encourage people to exercise and cycle. It is anticipated that the new infrastructure will promote a healthier lifestyle and boost alternate
modes of environmentally friendly transport. The scope of the project also includes the construction of two new bridges for cyclists and pedestrians on Al Khawaneej and Al Madinah. These specific spots were chosen for their population density, scenery, convenience and level of traffic safety. This new infrastructure will add to an already impressive cycling network in Dubai. “The RTA has implemented 218 kilometres of cycling routes in recent years in areas such as Seih Al Salam,
Bab Al Shams Al Qudra Road, Dubai Water Channel, Jumeirah Road, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Road and Al-Mankhool Road,” says Al Tayer. From 2018 to 2021 the RTA intends to provide a further 234 kilometre of cycle network through Al Warqaa, Jumeirah Beach, Wind Al Shaba, Expo 2020, Downtown, Jebel Ali, Al Quoz, Karama, Oud Metha, Al-Qusais and Al Barsha, with the aim of taking the total cycle network length in Dubai to around 500 kilometre by 2021.
photo iStock.com/Dmytro Aksonov
The World's First SMART POLICE SERVICES CENTRE A Smart Police Services Centre, the first of its kind anywhere in the world, has been inaugurated in Dubai by Sheikh Mohammed, who instructed the Dubai Police to open more such centres in residential and commercial districts in Dubai. These centres will provide the very best-in-class smart services, facilitate easy access and communication between the public and the police,
and limit the effort and time needed by clients, thereby making them happier. Sheikh Mohammed also expressed his pleasure at accelerating the development of the Dubai Police and the commitment of its leaders to offer world-class services to the public. Major-General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of the Dubai Police, informed Sheikh
Mohammed that the centre would operate around the clock to provide 27 services to the public, ranging from traffic to criminal and community, in addition to a further 33 fully automated sub-services.
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SPACE DEVELOPMENT | 43
Mars 2117 BUILDING A COLONY ON MARS TEXT
Atti Soenarso
photo Daniel Cheong
The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) is a Dubai Government entity that aims to promote scientific innovation and technological advancement in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Centre works on missions and researches into space science and technology, which is very much in line with the UAE's quest to develop this sector and build national skills through it. MBRSC is currently developing and spearheading projects and programmes under the umbrella of the UAE National Space Programme. These projects include the Emirates Mars Mission – Hope Mission, the Mars 2117 Programme, the UAE National Astronauts Programme and the Integrated Satellite Manufacturing Programme. Since 2006, the Centre has launched two Earth Observational Satellites – Dubai Sat-1 in 2009 and Dubai Sat-2 in 2013 – as well as a communication Nano-Satellite, Nayif-1, in 2017. At the moment, it is working on Khalifa Sat, the first satellite to be built locally by Emirati engineers and that is slated for launch next year. “We started out in 2006 with a small group of engineers who all moved to South Korea as part of an initiative with the Korean government, as the main target for us was to acquire the know-how,” says Mohammed Abdulrahim AlHarmi, Director
of Corporate Development at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre. “By 2009 we had already launched Dubai Sat-1. In that programme, our involvement was 30 per cent, but when we started Dubai Sat-2, our involvement increased to 50 per cent for the partnership. We also took the lead, with our engineers involved in the design, manufacture, implementation and testing of different materials that we used.” Continuing to acquire know-how and assert a leading role, the Centre today has more than 180 employees, 100 per cent of whom are Emiratis, and 40 per cent of the engineers are women. These figures meet the targets set out in the Centre's strategy that was developed in line with the decree set out by Sheikh Mohammed and that aim to contribute to the knowledge-based economy and objectives set out in the Dubai Plan 2021. The Dubai Plan itself sets out the principles of making Dubai a sustainable, leading global city, at the heart of which is a strong focus on the development of the country's youth. “When we talk about engineers and scientists, we are focusing on developing the youth of the UAE, which was the kick-start for the programme,” explains Mohammed Abdulrahim AlHarmi. “There are also many different departments – the space development part, admin,
finance, developing applications, software, even image processing – so we had a team that was gradually improving with us and this was our first target.” “After launching Dubai Sat-2 we became more recognized, and the rulers of the country gave us a lot of credit for what we were doing,” adds Mohammed Abdulrahim AlHarmi. “In 2015, together with the UAE's Space Agency, we announced to design and start a programme focusing on the atmosphere of the ‘red planet’, Mars. We think this is a good mission, as many programmes that were launched before ours studied the atmosphere of Mars, but not over the four seasons.” To pursue a programme that is a departure from those previously carried out, the centre is currently developing an imaging satellite that will study the atmosphere of Mars over a 9-year period. Further boosting the programme is the involvement of engineers in the USA from the outset by way of a collaborative partnership that is mostly educational and with different Universities, Colorado and Arizona being two strategic academic partners. “We chose these strategic academic partners because they already had experience and knowledge in different missions and so we didn't have to start from scratch,” says 2017 No. 06 BIR | MEETINGS INTERNATIONAL
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Mohammed Abdulrahim AlHarmi. “We added this new system to the Mars programme, called Hope, and we utilize them to do something they have never done before, i.e. to study the full Martian atmosphere. It should be launched by 2020 and it takes about eight months to reach, orbit and study the atmosphere of Mars, and this work will be given back to the scientific community.”
teachers. What makes it sustainable is that they will train themselves, train other people in the future and always go back to the people.” “That will all come at a later stage and will take us closer to 2120 when we have an astronaut in space,” adds Mohammed Abdulrahim AlHarmi. “For that we will make sure the astronauts can fly to the International Space Station (ISS), do their research
“This programme involves being part of building a colony on Mars” “From there we then pushed on to another programme, Mars 2117, which was also presented to us from the higher level of leadership in our country,” adds Mohammed Abdulrahim AlHarmi. “This programme involves being part of building a colony on Mars, which takes a lot of management and research. But this is the plan – we've now also got Mars 2117.” Returning from Mars to more earthly issues, in designing their programmes the centre has managed to lean on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) ideals in thinking of their missions, in particular the issue of making their work sustainable. “Between Mars 2020 and the launch of Mars 2117 we also recently announced our first UAE astronaut programme that is in its initial phase and which we have called the ‘sustainable astronaut programme’,” says Mohammed Abdulrahim AlHarmi. “We call it the sustainable programme because we want to sustain it for 25 years, so we will pick a number of astronauts from The Emirates who might be engineers, doctors, pilots or MEETINGS INTERNATIONAL | BIR No. 06 2017
and come back. I feel enthusiastic about this, as we have never owned or built a satellite before, but we are building one now.” With so much going on at the Centre it is important to have a suitable arena to share the breaking news. Fortunately, Dubai is playing host destination for Expo 2020, which is when the Mars mission will be launched to the wider public. However, there is also work of equally astronomical significance being carried out at the Centre, albeit much closer to ‘home’. “There is a project taking place at the Centre called The Sustainable Autonomous House, which is highly important,” says Mohammed Abdulrahim AlHarmi. “This house generates its own electricity and measures the temperature of your body when in the house, thereby making you comfortable. It's a house that stays 23 degrees inside when the outside temperature is 52 degrees, the first of its kind in a region that is very hot and where the humidity is very high.” “Since the establishment of the MBRSC, it has been adopting
the knowledge transfer strategy to develop new technology on UAE soil,” adds Mohammed Abdulrahim AlHarmi. “To fulfil that goal, they built strategic partnerships with the leading academic institutions specialised in developing research studies on efficient houses, such as the University of Bergamo and the Passive House Institute in Germany. It then developed a new concept of this kind of smart home to fit with the local environment in the UAE.” Producing solar energy and relying on smart technical and engineering solutions to adapt to hot and humid climate challenges, the house was designed to meet energy consumption and sustainability criteria. It showcases the effectiveness of using green and smart techniques to implement the UAE's strategy for green development and Dubai's own Clean Energy Strategy. The Sustainable Autonomous House has already won the 2017 Mena Green Building Award under the ‘Green Residential Building’ category. As the first of its kind for the specific environmental climate present in the region, the model is also certified by the Passive House Institute in Germany. The Centre now looks forward to constructing an integrated model of an essential component in smart cities, for which this is one of the future accelerators. Transforming the housing sector from an energy consumer to energy provider and reducing the central power production load on the national economy, this smart home will also be very attractive to a global economy that tends to invest heavily in renewable energy projects. There are further plans afoot to conduct studies linking the project with Dubai's electricity grid, thereby offering surplus energy storage, as well as complementary studies to secure
SPACE DEVELOPMENT | 45
“The astronauts can fly to the International Space Station, do their research and come back”
Mohammed AlHarmi
water efficiency and sufficiency in these houses. When it comes to transferring the abundance of knowledge accumulating in Dubai, there is no smarter way than to host a global congress to get the key messages out. It is therefore timely that The International Astronautical Federation (IAF ) announced that Dubai was the winning city to host the 71st International Astronautical Congress (IAC), the largest specialised conference in the global space sector, at a ceremony held during IAC 2017 in Adelaide, Australia. MBRSC will be the hosting organizer, and the event will be held in conjunction with the UAE Space Agency. Since 1950, IAF has been holding the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) annually in cooperation with the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) and the International Institute of Space Law (IISL) in one of the IAF member countries. The IAC is one of the leading space conferences worldwide, and attendees include presidents and CEOs of international space agencies, decision-makers, researchers, academics and professionals in the space sector, welcoming 5,000 participants from 70 countries.
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46 | KELLERMAN
Roger Kellerman Publisher, business intelligence analyst, trend creator, educator and networker. Has over 30 years’ experience of the global meeting industry. Founder of Mötesindustriveckan. twitter.com/thekellerman photo Sara Appelgren
The 10X Initiative PUTS DUBAI IN THE PROVOCATIVE LEAD OF THINKING It was as late as in February 2017 that Dubai was the first government in the world to establish X-units across all entities, and first to embrace disruptive innovation in government enterprise. They also told all government entities to develop structured plans to deliver breakthrough and radical moonshots within only one month. The Dubai 10X initiative sets the Government of Dubai on a mission to be ten years ahead of all other cities – hence the name 10X (with X symbolizing experimental, out-ofthe-box, future-oriented, exponential thinking). Sheikh Hamdan said: “Traditionally, governments are known all over the world to be resistant to change and bureaucratic organizations that are last to adopt a disruptive innovation. The future is a collection of ideas and ambitions that are made and tested in experimental laboratories, and 10X transforms Dubai into the world's largest laboratory for governments of the future.” Placing the initiative in context, Sheikh Hamdan stated: “The future belongs to those who affect radical changes, not those who make minor, MEETINGS INTERNATIONAL | BIR No. 06 2017
gradual improvements. The future will not be as patient with us as the present. I am calling on all government leaders and employees to embrace disruptive innovation and find new, creative and truly disruptive approaches and technologies to delivering their mission rather than incremental and minor improvements.” Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the largest of the seven emirates forming the federation. They have put 65 government entities through workshops, and now their Plan identifies 25 goals, distributed cross five strategically sectors, that will ensure Abu Dhabi continued progress. These goals will be achieved through a series of 83 integrated programs and projects, which will be continuously monitored, and assessed to ensure smooth and tangible progress towards the delivery of the Abu Dhabi Plan. In the Saudi Arabia, there is the project of the megacity Neom – called the land of the Future, where the most significant minds and best talents are empowered to embody pioneering ideas and exceed boundaries in a world inspired of imagination. It
looks like it is in the Middle East it is happening. Looking at Europe, we got the Brexit; we got the Catalonia crisis, we got the right-wing movement who wants to turn back time. In Forbes ranking of the Best Countries in the World for Business 2017 is Sweden number one. The US was number one in 2006. Today they are number 23. The 10X initiative puts Dubai in the provocative lead of thinking, not only in the Middle East but the world. We will, of course, continuing to follow Dubai very close.
WHAT IF A POPULAR BUSINESS CITY WAS ALSO ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST INNOVATIVE? Dubai is a modern city that embraces new and progressive ways of doing business. This open environment allows not only the constant exchange of knowledge and expertise across traditional and emerging business sectors, but also the widest range of sound investment opportunities. Discover all that’s possible in Dubai at visitdubai.com