UAE Hosts Second Future of Work Forum at World Governments Summit 2025
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, in partnership with the World Governments Summit Organisation, convened the second edition of the Future of Work Forum as part of the World Governments Summit 2025.
The event brought together global policymakers, economic experts, and business leaders to explore the evolving dynamics of the labour market.
The forum featured six key sessions addressing critical topics such as wage policy formulation, the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on productivity and work patterns, and the role of academic institutions in bridging the skills gap.
Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, emphasized the forum's role in shaping a sustainable and innovation-driven future workforce. He highlighted the UAE's progressive labour policies, which have propelled private sector growth by 17% and workforce expansion by 12% by the end of 2024. He also noted the country's focus on digital transformation and economic diversification.
Al Awar underscored key initiatives, including the Unemployment Insurance Scheme, expanded Wage Protection System (WPS), and enhanced visa programmes designed to attract global talent. He further highlighted the UAE's global ranking improvements, particularly in labour force participation, employment rates, and talent attraction.
The sessions featured discussions on minimum wage legislation, economic trends, AI's role in labour markets, and future work models. Notably, experts explored the shift towards freelancing, flexible work arrangements, and the need for regulatory frameworks to ensure economic stability and social protection.
The forum reinforced the UAE's commitment to a knowledge-based economy, with a 280% increase in accredited vocational institutes since 2019. Future collaborations with over 50 entities are expected to enhance employment opportunities, strengthening the link between education and labour market demands.
The event concluded with insights on labour market flexibility and sustainable workforce strategies, solidifying the UAE's leadership in shaping the future of work on a global scale.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
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