DUBAI: On the second day of the World Governments Summit (WGS) 2024, Dr. William Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya, delivered a main address on navigating the future through visionary leadership and embracing new technologies to collectively build a prosperous and resilient future for all.
He highlighted the importance of fostering international collaboration, and championing innovative, sustainable governance. He noted that Dubai is the ideal place to discuss current and future challenges facing governments around the world, given the city’s courageous decision-making, sophisticated infrastructure, proactive ideas, and its employment of the latest technologies.
The Kenyan president also praised His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, for providing nations of the world with the opportunity to participate in constructive dialogue at the WGS about the future of governments.
Reflecting on the vital role innovation plays in shaping the world
today, Ruto said, ‘Nothing in the past century compares to the scale of transformation, as well as implications of disruptive social economic change, as that which we have experienced over the past decade with the explosion of ICTs, robotics, machine learning, and, of course, artificial intelligence.’
‘At times, innovation brings with it resistance and attempts to suppress,’ the Kenyan president stated, which stems from a fear of the unknown. However, he stressed that ‘this can be a real drawback to the progress of governments.’
‘All change produces its winners and losers. However, if governments are to remain relevant, agile, and responsive, they must facilitate, encourage, and champion change. From my experience with innovation in Kenya, struggles must never be grounds to stand in the way of solutions which respond to humanity’s needs.’
Ruto also noted that digital services in Kenya have increased to 18 percent and that his country’s government aims to automate 100% of all services. He also highlighted t
he ability of technology to transcend borders in offering various opportunities that have been otherwise inaccessible to Kenyans in the past. ‘That is what technology, innovation, internet, and power can bring,’ he noted.
The President of Kenya also addressed Africa’s abundant endowment of resources, noting that the continent harbours the highest green power energy potential. ‘Africa is the de-facto epicentre of a green industrial revolution,’ he said.
Ruto added, ‘We cannot allow the fear of an unknown future to sacrifice future possibilities.’ If there was ever a case for great urgency to define the green framework for development, it is now, he said, and urged mobilising collective action to work towards a thriving planet in the future.
Source: Emirates News Agency