Ministry of Economy and Tourism organises ‘Economy Through the Eyes of Great Arab Minds’ event to advance innovation and creativity and support new economy initiatives in the UAE

Event highlights the experience of Professor Badi Hani, winner of the Great Arab Minds Award in Economics 2025

The Ministry of Economy and Tourism organised the “Economy Through the Eyes of Great Arab Minds” event at its headquarters in Dubai, with the aim of highlighting outstanding Arab thinkers in the field of economics, reinforcing their role in sustainable economic development, and promoting the integration of economic thought into policy and practice.

The event was held under the Great Arab Minds initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The event provided an interactive dialogue platform that shared the inspiring intellectual and human journey of Lebanese Professor Badi Hani, winner of the Great Arab Minds Award in Economics for 2025. The session highlighted key pathways to success and real-world challenges across his academic and professional career, as well as the role of economic thinking in creating meaningful impact. This contributes to fostering a culture of inspiration and applied knowledge within the Ministry and beyond.

The event was attended by H.E. Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, along with several deans, faculty members, academics, and university students specializing in economics, business administration, and public policy from universities across the UAE. Several employees from the Ministry of Economy and Tourism were also present.

In his speech at the event, H.E. Al Saleh affirmed that the UAE continues to strengthen its position as a global hub for knowledge and innovation. This is achieved by investing in creative minds as the most valuable resource and by elevating economic thought as a key tool for creating impact and guiding strategic decision-making.

H.E. explained that the event seeks to highlight the experience of Professor Badi Hani, one of the most distinguished Arab figures in contemporary economic thought. It offers a practical example of how economic thinking can be translated into tools and decisions with tangible impact on policymakers and society, while focusing on success pathways, real-world challenges, and the role of economic thought in driving development.

The Undersecretary further emphasised that the Great Arab Minds initiative represents a leading Arab model for empowering creative thinkers and nurturing talent. It provides youth and researchers with opportunities to enhance creative thinking, transform knowledge into economic projects and tangible innovations, and strengthen analytical thinking and the ability to make strategic economic decisions.

H.E. added that the Ministry of Economy and Tourism aims to create an enabling environment for innovation, connect knowledge with the new economy, and strengthen the role of universities and youth in shaping the future of the Arab economy through this initiative. H.E. also highlighted that the UAE has successfully positioned itself as a global hub for exceptional talent, ranking among the top ten countries worldwide for the first time in the International Institute for Management Development’s World Talent Ranking 2025 in Lausanne, out of 69 economies.

H.E. also highlighted that the number of companies operating in new economy sectors reached 56,000 by the end of the first half of 2025, underscoring that economic thought is not just about figures; it is a tool for shaping a sustainable and innovative future capable of transforming knowledge into tangible economic and social impact.

The event featured an in-depth dialogue session with Professor Badi Hani. The agenda included an open discussion on new global economic trends and future solutions for sustaining economic growth that keeps pace with rapid transformations. The discussion engaged the academia and drew active participation from university students.