The 2024 Global Digital Economy Conference (GDEC) Middle East DigitalEconomy Development Forum was held at the China Innovation Center in the UnitedArab Emirates (UAE) on May 28. This year marks the 40th anniversary of China and theUAE's diplomatic relations. About 200 experts, scholars, entrepreneurs, and governmentofficials in the digital economy sectors of China and the UAE convened at theforum under the theme "Joint Exploration and Friendly Partnership inGlobal Digital Development" to discuss the trend of digital economydevelopment, foster international exchanges, and facilitate industrialcooperation.

A photo taken on May 28, 2024 shows the poster of the furum. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

As an important partner of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the UAEholding the sub-forum not only signifies a further expansion of the globaldigital economy's "circle of friends" but also reflects the GDEC's determinationto promote the development of the digital economy in the Middle East throughinternational cooperation. During the forum, attendees discussed strategies toenhance the level of collaboration and exchange between China and the UAE inthe realm of the digital economy. They also shared ideas on the creativeintegration of digital economy cooperation carriers among different regions,such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Riyadh, which would serve asa launching pad for Chinese enterprises looking to expand internationally,tackle digital economy issues jointly, and explore new models, technologies,and business forms.

Hamdan Zakaria Doleh, chairman of China Innovation Centre in UAE, addresses the forum, Dubai, UAE, May 28, 2024. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Addressing the forum, Hamdan Zakaria Doleh, chairman of ChinaInnovation Centre in UAE, highlighted the shared goal of Dubai and Beijing infostering digital economy cooperation. He also talked about opportunities forfurther cooperation in key areas such as fintech, e-commerce, smart cities, AI,cloud computing, big data, and meta-universes, with the goal of promotinginnovation and prosperity on both sides.

Mao Dongjun, deputy director of Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology, addresses the forum, Dubai, UAE, May 28, 2024. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

In his speech, Mao Dongjun, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Bureauof Economy and Information Technology, emphasized the importance of the globaldigital economy as a new engine of economic growth and called on China and theUAE to strengthen cooperation in the development of the digital economy and tojointly explore new modes of promoting the innovation and transformation of theglobal digital economy. He also introduced Beijing's progress and achievementsin promoting the construction of a benchmark city for the global digitaleconomy. He expressed his vision of promoting international exchanges andcooperation through the 2024 Global Digital Economy Conference to jointlypromote industrial development.

Attendees from China and the UAE engaged in a fruitful debate during thekeynote speech session of "Open, Win-Win, Development," during whichspeakers from both nations shared their insights, experiences, and advice ondigital economy development.

Zhang Jianlun, director of the Digital Economy Promotion Division of the Information Technology Development Department at the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) delivers a keynote speech at the forum, Dubai, UAE, May 28, 2024. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

With the facilitation of the BRI, BRICS,China-Arab bilateral cooperation, and other intergovernmental cooperationmechanisms, China and the Arab world can further strengthen their digitaleconomy exchanges and collaboration, according to Zhang Jianlun, director ofthe Digital Economy Promotion Division of the Information TechnologyDevelopment Department at the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology(MIIT) of the People's Republic of China.

Daniel Sellers, manager of the Investment Promotion Department at Dubai Chamber of Commerce (DCC), delivers a keynote speech at the forum, Dubai, UAE, May 28, 2024. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Daniel Sellers, manager of the Investment Promotion Department at the DubaiChamber of Commerce (DCC), noted that the Chamber had set up four offices in Chinathat help facilitate investment flows in both directions and bringinternational enterprises to Dubai.

Zhang Jinrui, deputy director of the Electronic Information Industry Department and deputy director of the Digital Economy Working Group at Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology, delivers a keynote speech at the forum, Dubai, UAE, May 28, 2024. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Beijing is making great strides in establishing itself as a global digitaleconomy benchmark city, according to Zhang Jinrui, deputy director of theElectronic Information Industry Department and deputy director of the DigitalEconomy Working Group at Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and InformationTechnology. The city plans to promote digital transformation as a driving forceof economic growth through policy support, technological innovation, andindustrial upgrading, and it is committed to becoming an innovation leader on aglobal scale.

Nabil Arnous, executive director (commercial) and client experience expert of the Ras Al Khaimah Digital Assets Oasis, delivers a keynote speech at the forum, Dubai, UAE, May 28, 2024. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Nabil Arnous, executive director (commercial) and client experience expertof the Ras Al Khaimah Digital Assets Oasis (RAK DAO), presented RAK DAO as a"free zone" devoted to the future of corporate enterprises. Thecompany will collaborate with an extensive network of partners to foster thegrowth and innovation of startups in blockchain, gaming, NFT, and other relatedindustries.

Claire Wang, client engagement manager of International Free Zone Authority of Dubai, delivers a keynote speech at the forum, Dubai, UAE, May 28, 2024. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Following an overview of the International Free Zone Authority of Dubai (IFZA),Claire Wang, client engagement manager of IFZA, offered advice on businesseslooking to operate in the UAE.

Guan Xuehui, deputy general manager of UFIDA Network Overseas & managing director of the Middle and Eastern Region, gives a speech at the forum, Dubai, UAE, May 28, 2024. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Guan Xuehui, deputy general manager of UFIDA Network Overseas &managing director of the Middle and Eastern Region, spoke about how to build a globaldigital firm in the age of digital economy.

A photo taken on May 28, 2024 shows the panel discussion session during the forum. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

During the panel discussion session, guests from the Center forInternational Economic and Technological Cooperation affiliated with theMIIT, UAE-China Innovation Center,360 Consultancy Ex. Capgemini, EY, Eurus Technologies, Zhongguancun SpaceInformation Technology Alliance, and Donghua Yiwei Technology Co., Ltd., amongother companies and institutions, discussed the digital economy developmentefforts, innovative practices, and accomplishments of both China and the UAE,as well as new opportunities and challenges of an integrated digital economystrategy, offered suggestions for enhancing digital economy cooperation on aglobal scale, and proposed ideas for fostering closer ties between the twonations in this area.

Attendees of the forum take a group photo in Dubai, UAE, May 28, 2024. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

During the forum's closing remarks, You Jing, director of the InformationTechnology and Software Services Department at Beijing Municipal Bureau ofEconomy and Information Technology, invited international attendees to the 2024Global Digital Economy Conference, which will be held in Beijing from July 2 to 5. 

A number of agreements have been struck during the forum, including aframework to facilitate long-term cooperation, an expansion of the scope ofinternational cooperation in the digital economy, and the promotion of digitaltalent development and exchange. This forum strengthened the partnershipbetween the UAE and China in the digital economy, injected new momentum intothe economies of both countries, and contributed to the prosperity of theglobal digital economy sector. 

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