KHALED AL KHAWALDEH (ABU DHABI)
The inaugural Hili Forum kicked off on Monday on Abu Dhabi's Saadiyat Island, bringing together hundreds of academics, ministers, diplomats and experts to discuss global affairs, trade relations and the changing shape of the international arena.
The forum, which is a collaboration between the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR) and the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy (AGDA) aims to be the UAE's flagship strategic platform and will witness a number of high-profile guests, including the former Prime Minister of Sweden Carl Bildt, and former Foreign Minister of State for External Affairs of India Dr. Shashi Tharoor as well as Ambassadors and ministers address the room.
Many of the talks centred around the increasing fragmentation of the global economy amid increasing protectionist policies and geopolitical tensions particularly due to the ongoing war in Gaza and Ukraine.
"We in the UAE are big believers in the importance of dialogue, and I think it is vital that we expand our platforms for dialogue, and when necessary, establish new forums like this, so we can explore various ideas and perspectives," H.E. Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, Diplomatic Adivsor to the UAE President, told the crowd at the St. Regis Hotel on Monday.
"Somewhat paradoxically, we are seeing advancement in the world and changes that are exciting, as well as regression in other areas, and the concurrent rise of disorder. This duality also characterises our region."
Dr. Gargash implored the audience to take an open-minded approach, emphasising the importance of this moment and the critical juncture that the region and the world generally found itself at.
"I believe that it is incumbent on the countries of our region, Arab and non-Arab, to institute the necessary dialogue for a new framework. In order to tackle the tensions in our region, we have to change the trajectory of the past decade of frequent conflict and instability and forge a new understanding to ensure that the younger generations in the Middle East embark on future where the new cornerstones are shared stability and prosperity."
The Hili Forum will take place over the next two days and will include dozens of esteemed speakers covering a variety of geopolitical and economic discussions.
The forum, which derives its name from the Hilli oasis in Al Ain, a former meeting place where ideas were exchanged in ancient times, plans to be an annual event.