The UAE and the World Economic Forum (WEF) announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to establish and launch the Global Regulatory Innovation Platform (GRIP). The agreement was revealed during the 55th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum, taking place in Davos, Switzerland, from 20–24 January 2025. The MoU was signed in the presence of H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority.
Objectives of the Global Regulatory Innovation Platform for stakeholders
The platform aims to understand, assess, and create human-centered legislation that benefits communities in a time of rapid technological and digital advancements. It will offer a nurturing environment for regulatory innovation, equipping stakeholders with advanced tools and methodologies to evaluate the readiness and effectiveness of legislative frameworks. Moreover, GRIP seeks to foster international collaboration on adaptable governance models to tackle future challenges and opportunities.
Key attendees
The signing ceremony was attended by Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, UAE minister of Cabinet Affairs, and Professor Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum.
The agreement was signed on behalf of the UAE by Maryam bint Ahmed Al Hammadi, UAE minister of State and Secretary-General of the Cabinet, and on behalf of the World Economic Forum by Alois Zwinggi, managing director of the Forum.
Maryam bint Ahmed Al Hammadi stated: “The partnership with the World Economic Forum to establish and launch the Global Regulatory Innovation Platform embodies the vision and directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai. This initiative reinforces the UAE’s role as a leading regional and global hub for international cooperation and supports global efforts to achieve comprehensive and sustainable development, fostering stability, prosperity, and well-being for all communities.”
UAE’s commitment to modernizing legislation through the Global Regulatory Innovation Platform
Al Hammadi added: “The platform aligns with the UAE’s forward-looking approach to fostering innovation across all sectors, particularly in legislative frameworks. Over recent years, this commitment has led to the UAE achieving an unprecedented milestone by modernizing over 80 percent of its national legislation, demonstrating its adaptability and progressiveness.”
She also emphasized the key objectives of the collaboration with the World Economic Forum, which include developing and launching the Future-Readiness Index for Legislation, publishing the Global Guide for Regulatory Innovation, building an international network of experts, policymakers, and legislators, enhancing the capacity of legislative professionals, and establishing a global knowledge platform for legislative innovation. The initiative will also organize dialogues on regulatory innovation and host the Global Legislative Forum.
Moreover, Al Hammadi concluded: “The launch of GRIP enhances the UAE’s position as a global hub for international organizations, businesses, and institutions seeking a supportive and flexible regulatory environment. It also positions the UAE as a knowledge center and a platform for sharing expertise in cutting-edge legislative developments.”
