UAE participates in the inaugural Global Talent Summit 2024 in Hong Kong and showcases its commitment to fostering a competitive environment for global talent

Initiatives and projects under the UAE Strategy for Talent Attraction and Retention highlighted

The Ministry of Economy (MoEc) participated in the Global Talent Summit 2024, held recently at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai. The invitation to attend the Summit was extended to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by Chris Sun, the Secretary of Labour and Social Welfare in Hong Kong.

The Ministry presented a white paper titled ‘Unlocking Success: Strategies for Successful Talent Acquisition and Retention in the UAE,’ highlighting the nation's efforts and expertise in creating a competitive environment for attracting and retaining talent in line with the international best practices in this field. It also outlines the implementation of various talent attraction and retention policies.

Fatima Al Hajri, Director of the Investment and Talent Attraction Department at the Ministry of Economy, emphasized the significance of the UAE Strategy for Talent Attraction and Retention. She highlighted its role in solidifying the UAE's position as a preferred destination for international talent, in addition to various initiatives undertaken by the government since the launch of the Strategy in 2021 with an aim to create an enabling environment for talented and qualified individuals. The objective is to provide more opportunities and enablers to inspire greater innovation and creativity, ultimately enhancing the country's competitiveness in talent attraction and retention and improving its standing in global competitiveness indicators.

Al Hajri outlined that Talent Attraction and Retention Committee has effectively executed more than 90 per cent of the initiatives and projects under the UAE Strategy for Talent Attraction and Retention. Prominent initiatives include those pertaining to the residence system in general, and the Golden visa and Green visa in particular. Moreover, legislation has been introduced to enhance talent attraction and retention, alongside various projects and programs targeting the attraction and retention of talented students. These accomplishments have been attained through three years of consistent efforts since the strategy's launch in 2021.

On the sidelines of the Summit, Fatima Al Hajri held a meeting with Chris Sun, the Secretary of Labour and Social Welfare of Hong Kong, and Anthony Lau, Director of Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE). The purpose of the meeting was to discuss talent attraction and retention policies and to gain insights into global trends in the field.

The Summit was organized with the aim of fostering regional exchanges and supporting cooperation in talent attraction.  It brought together international leaders from various sectors including politics, academia, and business to exchange insights and experiences in the field of talent development. The Summit attracted approximately 3,400 participants and reached an additional 50,000 participants through live broadcast.

The event featured multiple sessions that focused on the significance of talent flow as a crucial driver of economic growth and sustainable progress, to explore how global talent hubs can shape strategies to attract and retain talent, while emphasizing the creation of an institutional culture that values and embraces talent. Additionally, there was a focus on empowering future generations by preparing and shaping the next generation of talent and leaders.