Dubai Future Foundation maps 14 solutions to reshape humanity’s future

Dubai Future Foundation has released a special edition of its annual Global 50 Report, presenting fourteen opportunities for international collaboration selected from more than 200 future scenarios explored since 2022.

“We continue to collaborate with global experts in foresight and future design, building on Dubai’s leadership as a hub for activating future opportunities and as an international platform for cooperation,” said Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of Dubai Future Foundation.

“Our objective is to create common ground around global solutions that strengthen communities and safeguard a better future for humanity.”

Mapping opportunities across global megatrends

The report, titled Global Solutions and Shared Futures, addresses ten megatrends including Materials Revolution, Technological Vulnerabilities, Energy Boundaries and Future Humanity.

The opportunities range from establishing unified goals to protect outer space as a shared resource to developing public-interest artificial intelligence frameworks and reimagining quality of life metrics beyond traditional economic measures.

Among the 14 pathways examined are the creation of a global equity fund for long-term challenges, international frameworks for genetic governance, centennial plans for planetary health restoration and global business licensing systems for small enterprises.

The report also explores achieving climate neutrality, expanding satellite internet access and embedding foresight into diplomatic practice.

Belhoul emphasised that humanity’s shared future depends on the ability of countries, institutions and societies to address emerging challenges together.

“This report highlights promising opportunities that can form a shared global pathway forward,” he said. “Our future depends on our ability to work together, transcend traditional boundaries between sectors and nations, and guide cooperative efforts with wisdom and clarity of vision, paving the way for a new era of growth, prosperity and quality of life.”

The report was developed with contributions from experts including Habiba Al Mar’ashi, co-founder and chairperson of the Emirates Environmental Group, Sara Hooker, vice-president of research at Cohere Labs, Sulaiman Al Ali, chief commercial officer at Space42, and Fatma Al Jasmi, professor of biochemical genetics at United Arab Emirates University.

International contributors include Rufus Pollock, founder of the Open Knowledge Foundation, Christopher Johnson of the Secure World Foundation and Creon Butler, director of the global economy and finance programme at Chatham House.