A city focused on innovation and sustainability
Explore how Dubai ’ s growth as a global knowledge hub is driven by innovation and forward-thinking
Dubai ’ s growth as a global knowledge hub is driven by innovation and forward-thinking . A business-friendly ecosystem , dedicated knowledge clusters and targeted investment in key sectors align with world-leading technological and sustainability initiatives to drive the rapid development of the knowledge economy in Dubai .
This , combined with the emirate ’ s strategic location , world-class infrastructure and ease of doing business philosophy , makes it the natural choice for both multinational business headquarters and business events , and the ideal destination for associations wanting to develop locally and expand into the world ’ s highest potential economies , across the Middle East , Africa and Asia .
Through the UAE ’ s National Strategy for Advanced Innovation , the country is focused on goals and outcomes in seven areas : Exploration ; Living and life ; Future skills ; Green power ; Quality of health ; Transport ; Harnessing technology to serve humankind .
Contributing to this , the recently-launched Dubai Research and Development ( R & D ) Programme aims to support key economic sectors and create new opportunities for growth by providing a comprehensive framework for research , development and innovation across the emirate .
The Programme outlines Dubai ’ s top priorities in research , development and innovation , and regulates projects , initiatives and legislations , as well as funding and investment in this area . It also aims to increase domestic spending on such projects and maximise the engagement of the private sector in launching and funding R & D projects .
The Dubai R & D Programme is based on four pillars : ( 1 ) Providing a roadmap and a comprehensive governance model ; ( 2 ) Setting top priorities for R & D ; ( 3 ) Governing funding and investments ; and ( 4 ) Increasing Dubai ’ s R & D expenditure and maximising the private sector ’ s engagement .
Clean energy and sustainability The UAE ’ s strategic initiative for net-zero emissions by 2050 made the country the first in the Middle East and North Africa to undertake such a strategic initiative . Dubai also launched its own Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050 to provide 100 % of the city ’ s total power capacity from clean energy sources by 2050 .
One of the most extensive clean and renewable energy projects that Dubai Electricity and Water Authority ( DEWA ) is implementing to achieve this target is the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park , the largest single-site solar park in the world . With a planned capacity of 5,000 MW by
46 / CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD / ISSUE 122