Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of International Cooperation and Development, President of Zayed University, received and welcomed Dr. Jim Yong Kim, President of the World Bank Group, at Zayed University, Dubai campus on Sunday.

The visit came on the sidelines of the fourth edition of the World Government Summit, which is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The World Government Summit is set to run from February 8th to 10th, under the title “Shaping Future Governments” and with the participation of officials from 125 countries, including top dignitaries, leaders, and experts from the government and private sectors across the world.

The visit aimed at engaging young students from Zayed University in an open dialogue with the President of the World Bank Group and his distinguished delegates to voice their ideas, exchange their views, and share knowledge regarding projects supported by the Bank in order to enable the UAE to stay at the global forefront of innovation.

The event was inaugurated with a keynote speech by Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi.  

“It gives me great pleasure to welcome you today at Zayed University. I am also pleased to greet you, and to commend your efforts in fighting poverty, developing sound policies, and improve peoples’ livelihoods through your support for inclusive and sustainable development,” H.E Sheikha Lubna said in her speech on Sunday.

“Your visit represents a unique opportunity for our students, the heart of Zayed University, to inspire them and exchange ideas on how we can work together for a brighter future especially for the youth. Our students are excited to gain better understanding of the World Bank Group’s mission and operations and interact with respected delegates and experts in the field of development.

One of the most valuable actions of the World Bank is its growing openness to engage in dialogue with a variety of key constituencies including: academics, youth, non-governmental organizations, parliamentarians, and private sector. Thus, we take this opportunity to foster with you our knowledge on the development of the country’s youth, exchange views and experiences with our students, emphasize the importance of learning from new ideas-learning from both the successes and the failures of the past. Not only that, but also the importance of thinking critically and keeping pace with the rapidly changing world, and to bring about new concepts, ideas, and innovations,” H.E Sheikha Lubna added.

The event saw highly insightful talks and open discussions with Zayed University students.

For his part, Dr. Kim, President of the World Bank Group, expressed his pleasure at having the opportunity to visit the UAE for the first time and meeting Zayed University students to engage in an interactive discussions and constructive dialogues.

The World Bank President praised the UAE’s successful development experiment adding that its visionary leadership is always behind improvements and achievements witnessed in the UAE.

Dr. Kim also discussed the World Bank Group’s mission that aims to end extreme poverty by 2030.

Furthermore, the World Bank President praised the UAE’s keenness to consistently and directly communicate with its citizens, pay close attention to their views and ideas in order to enable them to fully participate in the society and achieve the interaction and cohesion that should lead to security and stability in the country.

The event was also attended by Professor Reyadh AlMehaideb, Vice President of Zayed University, Dr. Marilyn Roberts, Acting Provost of Zayed University, faculty members from different colleges at the University, as well as students from Zayed University and the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT).

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