Al-Jalahma: Investment in Human Capital is a Fundamental Pillar of Development
State Minister for Youth and Sports Affairs, Dr. Tariq Al-Jalahma, affirmed that investing in human capital is the fundamental pillar for achieving sustainable development and building a knowledge-based economy. This stance aligns with the final statement of the 45th Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit, in which His Highness the Amir of the State of Kuwait, may God protect and guard him, emphasized the necessity of focusing on economic diversification and innovation as two key pillars for achieving sustainable growth.
Dr. Al-Jalahma stated in his speech during the opening ceremony of the Seventh Virtual Gulf Conference on “Technology, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship, and Artificial Intelligence for Economic Diversification,” held via Zoom, that the event brought together more than 100 local, regional, and international experts, 28 leadership figures including Sheikhs and ministers, 10 patent-holding inventors, and 10 startups. The conference featured 10 dialogue sessions spanning 10 hours daily. He noted that the State of Kuwait places great emphasis on supporting innovation, empowering youth, and enhancing entrepreneurship, in line with Kuwait Vision 2035. He added that these directions serve as a catalyst for continuing joint GCC efforts, exchanging expertise, and adopting initiatives that strengthen the innovation ecosystem, opening new horizons for youth and entrepreneurs, and contributing to the development and prosperity of our nations and peoples.
Conference Chair Dr. Hanadi Al-Mubarak, in her address, highlighted that His Highness the Crown Prince, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Amir of the State of Kuwait, may God protect him, emphasized at the Gulf-US Summit on May 14, 2025, the need to focus on the economy as a central pillar of our partnership. She noted the expectation to launch joint initiatives in investing in smart infrastructure, supporting the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, enhancing fair free trade, and stimulating small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as creating an integrated and resilient GCC economy capable of meeting youth aspirations through diversified income sources.
Dr. Al-Mubarak, Advisor for Economic Diversification and Innovation, explained that we gather today under the conference theme, “An Innovative Gulf Toward a Diversified Economy,” reflecting our commitment to unifying Gulf and Arab efforts, exchanging expertise, and building effective partnerships between the public and private sectors to create an environment that stimulates innovation and smart digital production, thereby elevating our countries to the ranks of leading global economies.
She added that the conference, which emerged from the Arab-Gulf Initiative for Economic Diversification launched in 2020, has transformed into a practical reality intersecting with Kuwait’s Vision, which focuses on artificial intelligence and digital transformation, building advanced digital infrastructure to enhance competitiveness, and transitioning to smart e-government to facilitate operations and services, increase private sector participation, and develop non-oil sectors to diversify income sources. Furthermore, it empowers Arab and Gulf visions that meet the aspirations and ambitions of our peoples, underscoring the importance of enabling joint Arab and GCC work and advancing cooperation across educational, health, technological, environmental, and commercial levels.
Dr. Al-Mubarak concluded her speech by noting that global powers have focused their future visions on the importance of the innovation system, artificial intelligence, and the digital economy as key drivers for sustainable economic growth, diversification, and global competitiveness.
Princess Duaa bint Mohammed, a community work pioneer, CEO of Al-Mahera Education Company, and former Chair of the Arab Women Authority in Saudi Arabia, participated in the opening ceremony. She highlighted the complementary relationship between educational technology, financial technology, and artificial intelligence as the fundamental pillars of the future economy. Princess Duaa emphasized in her speech that investing in smart educational and training technologies is a strategic investment in building human capital and preparing qualified cadres to lead the financial technology sector. She noted that the future economy will not be created by material resources alone, but by minds capable of innovation and adapting to changes.
His Highness Sheikh Salem Al-Qasimi, Member of the Executive Council and Head of the General Civil Aviation Authority in Ras Al Khaimah, praised the importance of the conference in his opening remarks. He stated that the United Arab Emirates has made investing in human capital, knowledge, and innovation a steadfast approach, viewing technology as a partner in development, a means to enhance quality of life, and a source for building a more diversified and sustainable economy. Sheikh Al-Qasimi said, “The UAE has, within a few years, established its position as a global hub for business, innovation, and investment, providing a flexible legislative and regulatory environment, advanced digital infrastructure, and an integrated system supporting the new economy, attracting global companies, entrepreneurs, talents, and competencies from around the world.”
For his part, Dr. Abdel Wahab Ghoneim, Advisor to Cambridge College UK and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Smart Solutions for Studies and Business in the Arab Republic of Egypt, explained in his speech that the world is experiencing complex geopolitical and economic conditions that have led to a slowdown in the global economy and disruptions in supply chains. He affirmed that applications of the Fourth and Fifth Industrial Revolutions, primarily digital transformation and the digital economy, form the core wing of sustainable development. He noted that the digital economy’s volume approaches 50% of the global economy, while e-commerce reaches approximately $29 trillion, according to UNCTAD reports. Dr. Ghoneim concluded his speech by calling on Arab countries to prioritize scientific research and development, allocating budgets ranging from 2% to 3% of GDP to support it, alongside providing necessary studies and financing for entrepreneurship projects to ensure global competitiveness.
For her part, Princess Hind bint Abdul Rahman Al Saud, International Ambassador for Community Responsibility in Saudi Arabia, stated in her speech that the conference represents, for the seventh consecutive year, a pioneering model and one of the most distinguished Gulf and Arab initiatives in the field of economic diversification based on innovation, technology, and artificial intelligence. She concluded her address by thanking Conference Chair Dr. Hanadi Al-Mubarak and the organizers, emphasizing that this event strengthens partnerships and the economies of the Gulf and Arab regions.
On his part, Eng. Mohammed bin Omar, Secretary General of the Arab Organization for Communication and Information Technology in the Republic of Tunisia, highlighted the importance of holding the conference at a time when the world is witnessing one of the greatest economic and technological transformations. He affirmed that the rapid development of artificial intelligence is laying the foundation for a new global economy where concepts of productivity and competition rules are changing. Eng. bin Omar explained that artificial intelligence has become a strategic benchmark for measuring countries’ readiness for the future and stimulating innovation. He noted that economic diversification in the Arab region has become an urgent necessity requiring investment in the knowledge economy and entrepreneurship, and building digital systems that transform data into added value.
Sheikh Fajr bint Ali Al Khalifa, Founder and Chair of the Fajr Foundation for Self-Development and Vice Chair of the Arab Advisory Council in the Kingdom of Bahrain, addressed the necessity of making economic diversity and technological innovation two fundamental pillars for achieving sustainable development in the region. She emphasized that rapid global transformations have made economic diversity an urgent necessity that is no longer classified as a future option, stressing that technology acts as a driving force to reshape economies, enhance productive sectors, and create new growth opportunities.
