His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai visited the 40th edition of GITEX Technology Week, on Wednesday.
The event being held at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from December 6-10 features 1,200 exhibitors from around the world. It's the world’s only live, in-person global technology event to be held amid the pandemic.
During the tour, His Highness highlighted the importance of the technology sector in transitioning to the future, adding that focused efforts are required to generate innovative technologies that can tide over the challenges posed by the pandemic and revitalise humanity’s journey of progress.
"The decision to organise GITEX as an in-person event reflects our determination to overcome the current circumstances. It also reflects the UAE’s commitment to supporting its major partners in the global technology industry across the world. By organising GITEX this year, we seek to strengthen and expand our long-standing partnership with them to accelerate our shared journey to the future," said Sheikh Mohammed.
"I would like to commend the efforts of the event’s organisers in holding this major global event. Exhibitors from 60 countries have placed their trust in Dubai’s ability to offer them a healthy and safe environment both at the event and during their stay in Dubai," His Highness added.
"Technology is an important tool to enhance people’s lives and enable them to overcome challenges and turn them into opportunities. As the region’s technology hub, we seek to create a highly conducive environment to promote greater investments in the sector and attract the world’s best talent to develop innovative solutions that can help us strengthen our progress towards sustainable development," Sheikh Mohammed explained.
. @HHShkMohd visits @GITEXTechWeek. #Dubai pic.twitter.com/GrahXQPtmp
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) December 9, 2020
Sheikh Mohammed was accompanied by H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group; Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of Dubai World Trade Centre Authority (DWTCA), and Khalifa Saeed Sulaiman, Director-General of the Dubai Protocol and Hospitality Department.
During the tour, His Highness visited a number of pavilions of companies, where he was briefed about their offerings and latest technological innovations.
The 40th edition of GITEX Technology Week, which concludes on December 10 serves as an umbrella for the region’s leading technology shows, including GITEX Future Stars, the region’s largest tech startup event; the Gulf Information Security Expo and Conference (GISEC), the region’s most renowned cybersecurity conference and exhibition; Future Blockchain Summit, the leading platform for transformative technology; and the inaugural edition of Marketing Mania, the new platform for brand marketers.
The event has attracted major technology players as well as many government and private sector organisations.
This year’s edition of GITEX has a lineup of over 350 in-person speakers, from 30 countries, covering major technology trends including artificial intelligence, 5G, future mobility, security and Blockchain among others.