Nahyan bin Mubarak Opens 2nd Int'l Sustainable Futures Conference

Photo : Abu Dhabi Media Office

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, opened the 2nd International Conference on Advancing Sustainable Futures 2024 (ICASF ’24) at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Abu Dhabi. The event, led by Abu Dhabi University (ADU), will run until December 12, 2024. It brings together more than 60 speakers and experts from over 90 countries, such as leaders, teachers, researchers, and decision-makers. The event will include 330 studies picked from 700 entries.

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Important guests at the event included Dr. Ali Saeed bin Harmal Aldhaheri, Chairman of ADU; Professor Ghassan Aouad, Chancellor of ADU; Professor Sherine Farouk, Associate Provost at ADU; Her Excellency Berangere Boell-Yousfi, UN Resident Coordinator for the UAE; and Professor Amr Ezzat Salama, Secretary General of the Association of Arab Universities and former Minister from Egypt.

Sheikh Nahyan spoke about how the UAE is working to build a better and fair future under the guidance of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. He said the UAE is trying to create a society that grows with new ideas and tools while caring for the environment and people. He shared that the UAE is following the world’s plan to reach the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. These goals focus on fairness for the economy, society, nature, and culture.

Sheikh Nahyan said that to build a better future, we must care for the earth, work together, and be kind to others. He also said that while we discover and create new tools, we must keep values like kindness and fairness. He explained that technology can help us, but it should always be used for good and safe changes for all.

He talked about how tools like computers and digital programs are helping change many parts of life, like schools, hospitals, businesses, and governments. He said this event is a good place to share ideas about these changes.

The conference is called "Innovation and Digital Transformation for Sustainable Futures." It is supported by Abu Dhabi University and other groups like Emirates Red Crescent, Adeeb Group, and Inovartic Investment. This event shows ADU’s care for the environment. Last year, the university was praised for its efforts to protect nature.

Professor Ghassan Aouad, Chancellor of ADU, said this event is important because it helps people work together to protect the planet. He said it teaches young people to lead and solve problems like air pollution and climate change.

On the first day, the talks included how schools can help reach world goals, how businesses can help poor people, and how women can succeed in today’s world. There was also a discussion about money and how to use it wisely to protect the planet. A special session started the Arab Universities for Climate Change Knowledge Network to share ideas to protect nature in the region.

The event will continue with many more talks over two days. Topics will include how to improve schools, hospitals, and businesses; how to help people in need; and how to help young researchers. Many important groups and universities are part of this event.

This conference shows how Abu Dhabi and the UAE are leaders in solving big challenges to make the world better for future generations.