Bridging divides: the UAE as a collaborative blueprint for a volatile world

Non-oil sectors now account for more than 74% of the UAE's GDP, driven by industries such as finance, technology, logistics and tourism. Image: Getty Images
Badr Jafar
Special Envoy for Business and Philanthropy, UAE and Chief Executive Officer, Crescent Enterprises- Adapting to disruptions requires not isolated effort but collective, collaborative action across governments, businesses and civil society.
- The UAE’s story over the past half-century provides a compelling case study in turning volatility into opportunity.
- The UAE’s collaborative and multi-stakeholder development model may hold important lessons for navigating the challenges of our time.
Our world today is hurtling through a period of profound transformation, where rapid change and growing complexity are redefining every aspect of human life. The Global Risks Report 2025 by the World Economic Forum highlights a stark reality: the accelerating pace of climate change threatens to surpass tipping points, while economic inequality deepens social fractures and strains international cooperation.
Simultaneously, emerging technologies such as generative AI, quantum computing, and synthetic biology are disrupting industries at an unprecedented pace and scale, reshaping not only economies but also societies and geopolitics. Add to this the predicted risks of stagflation, widespread cyber vulnerabilities, and global resource shortages – including energy and water – and we find ourselves navigating a perilous yet transformative moment in history.
But within this uncertainty lies immense opportunity. If the past decades have taught us anything, it is that innovation thrives in adversity. The challenge, however, is clear: adapting to these disruptions requires not isolated effort but collective, collaborative action across governments, businesses, and civil society. Indeed, as we stand on the cusp of a new era, the question is not whether we can adapt, but whether we will choose to do so together, leveraging shared values, and a long-term vision to turn today’s risks into tomorrow’s opportunities.
This convergence of crises demands new models of governance and partnership – ones that transcend traditional silos and harness the full potential of interconnected systems. In this context, examples like the UAE’s collaborative and multi-stakeholder development model may hold important lessons for navigating the challenges of our time.
A case study in turning volatility into opportunity
The UAE’s story over the past half-century provides a compelling case study in turning volatility into opportunity. It is not merely a story of natural resources or geography, though both have played pivotal roles along the way. Rather, it is a narrative of strong values, deep vision, and an unwavering commitment to collaboration – qualities that have transformed a young nation into a global leader in development, innovation, and sustainability.
When the UAE was founded 54 years ago, the challenges were daunting. With minimal infrastructure, limited natural resources beyond oil, and a volatile geopolitical landscape, success was far from assured. Yet the nation’s founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, laid the foundation for a vision that continues to guide the country: prosperity built on mutual understanding, inclusive multi-stakeholder collaboration, long-term thinking, and courage in action.
This vision manifested early in the UAE’s policies, emphasizing diversification and collaboration. Today, this ethos is reflected in the UAE’s status as a hub for global trade, a leader in low carbon and renewable energy, and a pioneer in leveraging technology for societal good. Non-oil sectors now account for more than 74% of GDP, driven by industries such as finance, technology, logistics, and tourism. Tourism, as one example, now accounts for almost 12% of GDP, more than in Italy, France, or the UK, and supports around one in nine jobs. A recent global survey by US News & World Report ranked the UAE the 3rd most economically influential country, after China and the USA. These achievements were not accidental – they were the result of deliberate and consistent efforts to build bridges across sectors and geographies, bringing together the government and private sector as partners, not adversaries.
At the heart of the UAE’s success is a core belief: society moves fastest when it moves together. This principle was exemplified in the UAE’s approach to hosting COP28, the largest and most inclusive climate summit in history. By bringing together governments, businesses, philanthropies, civil society, and Indigenous Peoples, the UAE demonstrated that tackling global challenges requires a multi-stakeholder approach. The result was unprecedented progress, including a commitment to triple renewable energy capacity, an agreement on doubling energy efficiency, and the operationalization of a loss and damage fund for vulnerable nations. Notably, the first-ever Business and Philanthropy Climate Forum at COP28 mobilized $7 billion in new commitments, proving that inclusivity drives impact.
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Development model in action
This is not just a strategy for hosting global summits; it is the UAE’s development model in action. Whether through the creation of Masdar, the world’s largest single investor in renewable energy, or Mubadala’s emergence as the most active sovereign wealth fund globally, the UAE has consistently demonstrated the power of collaboration in achieving outsized results. Africa offers a compelling example, with UAE companies consistently ranking among the top backers of new business projects on the continent, reflecting the nation’s commitment to fostering inclusive economic growth and innovation through strategic partnerships.
In a world of interconnected challenges, philanthropy and business are uniquely positioned to complement government efforts. The UAE, rapidly emerging as a global hub for strategic philanthropy, has wholeheartedly embraced this philosophy, leveraging philanthropic capital not merely to fill gaps but as a transformative tool to create enduring public value. My own role as Special Envoy for Business and Philanthropy reflects this steadfast commitment to fostering partnerships that combine the strengths of all sectors.
The UAE’s journey demonstrates that vision, inclusivity and agility are essential for turning complexity into opportunity, showcasing how long-term thinking, diverse collaboration, and adaptability can drive resilience and global impact.
Individually, no nation, organization or sector can tackle the world’s most pressing challenges. Together, we hold the collective wisdom and resources to forge a future defined by sustainability, inclusivity, and lasting prosperity – an opportunity to transform what is possible through unity and innovation.
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