The UAE is gearing up for the kick-off of the country’s Innovation Month, UAE Innovates 2024, starting on February 1 and spanning the entire month.
This national event stands as the world’s largest of its kind, with a primary focus on impactful innovations, aiming to celebrate innovation, innovators, and creative ideas. The month includes hundreds of activations, marking a renewed initiative since 2015, distributed over the weeks of the month and moving across all emirates and regions of the country.
UAE Innovates 2024 commences in Abu Dhabi from February 1 to 7, before moving to Ajman and Umm Al Quwain from February 8 to 14. It then proceeds to Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah from February 15 to 21, concluding in Dubai from February 22 to 29.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Government Innovation (MBRCGI), in collaboration with the executive councils of all seven emirates, oversees the coordination and registration of diverse activities for the UAE Innovates 2024.
Government entities at both federal and local levels, private companies, and UAE’s innovative community members can register their events for the initiative through the website: https://uaeinnovates.gov.ae/
Huda AlHashimi, Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Strategic Affairs, affirmed that the UAE government, led by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has embraced innovation as a fundamental driver for continuous development. Over the past decade, the government has transformed innovation into an essential component of its identity and work methodology, turning government entities into effective design centres and innovation incubators across diverse fields.
AlHashimi stated that UAE Innovates stands as the world’s largest and most prominent national event. Its purpose is to disseminate the culture and practices of innovation across the government, private sector, and society. This annual platform highlights the nation’s pioneering accomplishments, projects, and initiatives over the entire year.
AlHashimi highlighted that this year’s focus on the social impact of innovation aligns with the government’s prioritisation of innovation as a pivotal force for driving positive change across all societal segments. This underscores the country’s dedication to advancing human development and elevating the overall quality of life.
Over 29 days, the country will host a myriad of events, including competitions, hackathons, exhibitions, workshops, conferences, and panel discussions. These events are centred on the importance of innovation in societal life, celebrating innovative experiences that have positively impacted Emirati society.
Concluding the month, the MBRCGI will organise the UAE Innovates Exhibition from February 27 to 29 at Emirates Towers in Dubai. The exhibition comprises three main events, including innovation talks, displays of innovations by government and private entities, and the announcement of winners of the House of the Future competition launched by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, and supervised by the Mohammed bin Rashid Housing Establishment in collaboration with MBRCGI.
Additionally, MBRCGI will organise an initiative titled “Made for UAE Innovates”, designed to shine a spotlight on ambitious Emirati innovators. The initiative aims to support them in developing their products and expanding the scope of their businesses. It involves enhancing their capabilities and entrepreneurial skills through specialised workshops held in partnership with Noon.
At the end of the UAE Innovation Month, the MBRCGI will honour the recipients of the 4th UAE Innovates Award, featuring a new category recognising the ‘Most Impactful Social Innovation.’
The new category aligns with the focus of UAE Innovates 2024 on innovations that generate significant societal impact, contributing to the improvement of services’ effectiveness, efficiency, and overall influence on society.
The award categories include: Most Innovative Use of Resources, Most Innovative Digital Transformation, Most Impactful Social Innovation, Most Innovative Government Process, Most Innovative Disruptive Project, and Most Innovative Project in Sustainability.
Ministries and federal government entities are holding a multitude of events as part of their involvement in UAE Innovates 2024. The Ministry of Finance is initiating a new round of Pitch@Gov, while the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment is leading a range of activities, including the Environmental Innovations Council, Agricultural Innovations Council, AI Challenge, and more.
In the line-up of events, the Ministry of Economy is set to unveil its new intellectual property system. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Justice is orchestrating the Alternative Means of Litigation Forum, bringing together stakeholders, clients, and employees to discuss emerging judicial topics and innovative solutions.
The Emirates Schools Establishment is hosting a forum on ‘Generative AI in Education,’ while the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority is organising the 7th UAE Hackathon, themed ‘Today’s Challenges, Tomorrow’s Solutions.’
The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security is involved in various initiatives, including labs, workshops, interactive programmes, hackathons, competitions, and innovation exhibitions. Additionally, they are holding community activities in public places and showcasing innovative projects.
The General Civil Aviation Authority is organising innovation talks, an innovation lab, and a showcase of innovative practices, among various other events.
UAE Innovates was initiated in 2015 as the UAE Innovation Week, later transitioning to the UAE Innovation Month during its third edition in 2017. Over the past eight years, it has developed into a significant event celebrating innovation and innovators, fostering a culture of creativity in society.
UAE Innovates is integral to the government’s continuous endeavours to nurture innovation in the public sector. Recognising new achievements and solutions, it positions the UAE as a global hub for innovation.
Over eight years, UAE Innovates has engaged over 1.5 million members of the UAE community and generated extensive interaction on various social media platforms, accumulating more than 10 million views. Through over 6,500 events, involving 130 entities from the government, private and academic sectors, numerous projects and initiatives have transformed into new business models, advancing the comprehensive development efforts led by the country across various domains.
News Source: Emirates News Agency