World Government Summit in Dubai to Host 15 Global Forums in Late March

Mohammed Abdullah al-Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of the WGS Organization. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Mohammed Abdullah al-Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of the WGS Organization. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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World Government Summit in Dubai to Host 15 Global Forums in Late March

Mohammed Abdullah al-Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of the WGS Organization. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Mohammed Abdullah al-Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of the WGS Organization. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The World Government Summit (WGS) revealed it will host this year 15 forums to explore the most important global trends defining the next decade.

The Summit’s eighth edition, which will be held at the Expo 2020 Dubai at the Dubai Exhibition Center in late March, will bring together the world’s most prominent talents to discuss vital sectors and develop ideas and visions for a new future.

The WGS will host for the first time this year the Global Crypto Forum and the Global Metaverse Forum to discuss the most prominent global trends during the current decade.

It will also organize the first Arab Meeting for Young Leaders, the Arab Government Administration Forum, Cybersecurity in Aviation Forum, the Investopia Investment Summit, in addition to the TIME 100 Gala, and the Forbes 30 Under 30 Forum.

The WGS continues to host major forums that comprise key pillars for global communities and their future, namely: the Climate Change Forum, which focuses on the UAE hosting of the (COP28), and the Global Energy Forum, the Global Health Forum, the SDGs in Action, the Government Services Forum, the Women in Government Forum, and the Gender Balance Forum.

Mohammed Abdullah al-Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of the WGS Organization, said the Summit has become the largest global platform for shaping the future of governments.

His remarks were made in a speech delivered at the WGS Dialogue, which was held at the Museum of the Future in Dubai on Monday.

He said that the Summit – which will soon complete its first decade of operations – has “evolved into an incubator of innovative solutions at the decision and policymaking level, where ideas, knowledge and success stories are shared and transferred by pioneering government officials, leaders and industry experts.”

“We need to enhance the participation of young people – who make up two-thirds of the region’s population – in decision-making positions to provide a platform where their voice can be heard,” Gergawi said, noting that the Summit provides an annual platform for Arab youth to share their aspirations and future visions.

“WGS also witnessed the appointment of the UAE’s youngest minister of youth, the launch of youth councils and youth strategies, the creation of youth policies, and the launch of the Arab Youth Center to prepare a pioneering model for empowering the largest social segment in the Arab world,” he added.

Gergawi pointed out that hosting the Summit at Expo 2020 Dubai is symbolic of the UAE’s connected, forward-looking philosophy.

“Organizing WGS 2022 at Expo 2020 Dubai will make for an exceptional event,” he said.

“It will build on the achievements of this incredible expo which overcame unprecedented challenges and disruption to bring people together in the most challenging of times.”

“We are connecting the world’s greatest minds to create the future we all want,” he stressed.



Vale Partners with China’s Jinnan Steel to Build Iron Ore Processing Plant in Oman

The logo of the Brucutu mine owned by Brazilian mining company Vale SA is seen in Sao Goncalo do Rio Abaixo, Brazil February 4, 2019. (Reuters)
The logo of the Brucutu mine owned by Brazilian mining company Vale SA is seen in Sao Goncalo do Rio Abaixo, Brazil February 4, 2019. (Reuters)
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Vale Partners with China’s Jinnan Steel to Build Iron Ore Processing Plant in Oman

The logo of the Brucutu mine owned by Brazilian mining company Vale SA is seen in Sao Goncalo do Rio Abaixo, Brazil February 4, 2019. (Reuters)
The logo of the Brucutu mine owned by Brazilian mining company Vale SA is seen in Sao Goncalo do Rio Abaixo, Brazil February 4, 2019. (Reuters)

Brazilian miner Vale, one of the world's largest iron ore producers, said on Monday it had partnered with China's Jinnan Steel Group to build an iron ore beneficiation plant in Oman to produce high quality pellet.

With the front-end investment exceeding $600 million, the plant, which will be located in Oman's Sohar port and free trade zone, will provide higher quality iron ore for producing pellet and hot briquetted iron (HBI) locally, reducing environmental impact, Vale said in a statement on its WeChat account.

The Sohar plant is scheduled to start commissioning in mid-2027, processing 18 million metric tons of iron ore annually to produce 12.6 million tons of high grade concentrate, it said.

"We are strengthening our capability to meet rising global demand for high grade iron ore and further expand our exposure in the Middle East region," said Gustavo Pimenta, chief executive officer (CEO) at Vale.

Vale will invest $227 million for the connection of the beneficiation plant and the pellet and HBI production facility while Jinnan Steel, a private steelmaker headquartered in north China's Shanxi province, will invest about $400 million for the building and the operation of the plant.

Vale did not disclose the equity share held by each party.