Arab countries are more than able to play significant part in the 4IR

Jordan's Prime Minister Hani Al Mulqi has called on Arab leaders to set the necessary legislation and instruments to produce knowledge and channel these developments towards the progress and wellbeing of societies.

He also has asserted that Arab countries are more than able to play a significant part in the Fourth Industrial Revolution or 4IR and young people are the most effective weapon in their arsenal.

He was speaking at the inaugural session of the Knowledge Summit 2017, which started today in Dubai, themed "Knowledge and the 4th Industrial Revolution".

The event is being held under the patronage of the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and the directives of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, MBRF.

The session was moderated by Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, Director-General of the Expo 2020 Bureau.

"The 4IR stands out from its predecessors because it includes all people, all societies and governments, unlike the previous revolutions which were limited to certain specific sectors," Al Mulqi explained. "Arab governments must work to develop their operations to suit the changes that this revolution brings, and to channel them to serve Arab societies."

"We cannot let what happened in the previous revolutions happen again," he urged, adding, "Arab countries were completely uninvolved in the Second Industrial Revolution, and we simply received the technologies of the Third, without any contribution from our end. We do have the ability to play a big role in the Fourth Industrial Revolution; we must also have the will to do so. The UAE has made great strides in that regard, and its successes are a source of pride for all the countries of the region."

The Jordanian Prime Minister expressed his disagreement with the notion that technology will increase unemployment, saying, "Technology will not replace humans as this goes against the basic law of supply and demand. Unless these technologies leave room for people to have jobs, these people will not have the money to buy the products these technologies will produce. We simply need to adjust our policies and steer them towards the benefit of the people."