Dubai Ruler cites Dh2.1 trillion of projects at Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Forum

Centre · 2The annual Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Forum opened on Tuesday 13 October at Dubai World Trade Centre, bringing together 1,000 government and private sector leaders to discuss Dubai's future priorities and leadership development. 1 2 Centre · 1The forum is held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and is organised by the Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Leadership Development (MBRCLD). 1 Centre · 1Ahead of the event, Gulf News reported that the programme would include panel discussions, workshops, Leadership Majlis meetings on the future economy and future cities, the graduation of a new cohort of MBRCLD leaders, and planned memoranda of understanding with government entities and international academic institutions. 1

Centre · 1Opening the forum, Mohammad Al Gergawi, chairman of The Executive Office of Sheikh Mohammed and of MBRCLD, paid tribute to Sheikh Mohammed, saying he had built "a city where talents go" and promising to preserve what he had built. 3 Centre · 1On the sidelines, speakers told Gulf News that artificial intelligence is a key consideration for leaders: Brand Finance's David Haigh called AI and technology among the most significant issues, and economist Nouriel Roubini said AI offers a "massive tailwind" to the global economy while acknowledging it could displace workers over the longer term. 3 Centre · 1Joao Albuquerque of Bjarke Ingels Group argued that Dubai's next phase of urban development should centre on energy efficiency, mobility and public spaces designed around people rather than cars. 3

Centre · 2Sheikh Mohammed said the total value of active projects in Dubai had reached Dh2.1 trillion, covering real estate, aviation, transport, infrastructure and quality-of-life initiatives, and that the emirate's momentum would not slow. 4 2 Centre · 1He called it "the ideal time to invest in Dubai and its infrastructure", and according to The National said the emirate was "building a city within a city" with further projects to be announced. 2 Centre · 2The breakdown includes Dh1.1 trillion for real estate to 2030 (with about 350,000 residential units planned, per The National), Dh128 billion for Al Maktoum International Airport, Dh328 billion for expanding the Emirates and flydubai fleets, Dh18.7 billion for an Emirates engineering and maintenance complex, Dh151 billion for power and water grids, Dh80 billion for the Dubai Strategic Sewerage Tunnels, and about Dh100 billion each for DIFC expansion and road and transport projects. 4 2

Centre · 1Gulf News also listed Dh30 billion for the Tasreef rainwater drainage project, Dh10 billion for expanding the Dubai Exhibition Centre and Dh4 billion for the Dubai Blue and Green Spaces Roadmap. 4 Centre · 2The two outlets describe the 260 million passenger figure differently: Gulf News says Dubai is preparing to accommodate 260 million passengers annually over the next decade, while The National says Al Maktoum International Airport is designed to handle up to 260 million passengers a year. 4 2 Centre · 1At the forum, Sheikh Mohammed presented the Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Medal to Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality, and the Mohammed bin Rashid Sash to Cabinet Affairs Minister Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Gergawi for more than three decades of public service. 4