Oman, South Africa, and Saudi Arabia get new C4IR establishments
Harnessing advanced technologies
The World Economic Forum (WEF) has announced the establishment of three new Centres for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR), which will launch in 2025. Based in Muscat, Pretoria, and Riyadh, these centres will focus on harnessing advanced technologies to address critical global challenges and provide tailored solutions that meet national and regional needs. The WEF also confirmed the renewal of the C4IR in the United Arab Emirates.
These new announcements were complemented by the release of the 2023-2024 C4IR Network Impact Report, which showcased the network’s significant strides in using technology to tackle some of the world’s most pressing problems. With the three new centres joining the WEF’s growing global network, the Forum aims to foster innovation and collaboration to drive transformative change in various sectors.
Børge Brende, President and CEO of the World Economic Forum, said, “The upcoming launches of three new C4IR Centres underscore our commitment to shaping a future where technology better serves humanity. With our growing network of global partners, we will continue to harness the power of innovation to address society’s most pressing challenges and create localized solutions with international reach. “
Oman
C4IR Oman will be hosted by the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology and align with the country’s ambitious “Vision 2040” strategy. The centre will be the first of its kind in Oman and will focus on artificial intelligence (AI), energy transition, and quantum technologies. These areas are key to supporting Oman’s digital transformation and long-term sustainable growth.
The centre’s initiatives aim to position Oman as a leader in technological innovation in the region. Said Mohammed Ahmed Al-Saqri, Oman’s Minister of Economy, stressed that the centre would equip the nation’s youth with the necessary tools, technologies, and skills to excel in the digital era. “Through innovation and entrepreneurship opportunities, we aim to build skills that drive growth and advance Oman forward,” Al-Saqri noted.
South Africa
The South Africa Centre for Industry and Technology, hosted by the University of Pretoria, will focus on South Africa’s readiness for the future of global value chains, energy transition, and inclusive digitisation. The centre will leverage partnerships with government, academia, and business to accelerate innovation and address the challenges of decarbonisation and cross-industry digitisation.
Francis Petersen, Vice Chancellor and Principal of the University of Pretoria, highlighted that the centre would prepare South Africa for future manufacturing and advance its sustainable energy transition. “The Centre will help position South Africa for manufacturing readiness and support its sustainable energy transition towards net zero,” he explained.
Riyadh
The Riyadh Centre for Cyber Economics, hosted by the Global Cybersecurity Forum, will focus on the economic dimensions of cybersecurity. It will research the intersections between cybersecurity resilience and financial stability and address the challenge of reducing cyber disparities across regions and sectors.
Majed bin Mohammed Al-Mazyed, Governor of Saudi Arabia’s National Cybersecurity Authority, stressed that the centre would be crucial in driving research and cross-sector collaboration to enhance global cybersecurity. “Cybersecurity is a catalyst for economic growth and social prosperity,” Al-Mazyed said. “The Centre for Cyber Economics marks a decisive step towards advancing knowledge and understanding of the economic dimension of cybersecurity to safeguard economic growth.”
C4IR Network impact
The WEF’s newly released 2023-2024 Impact Report highlights the progress made by the C4IR Network. Over 70 initiatives were launched in the past year, involving more than 300 global partners. These initiatives focused on seven core thematic areas: AI, energy transition, biotechnology, sustainability, and the upskilling of tomorrow’s workforce.
The report underscores the Forum’s commitment to using technology to drive sustainable, inclusive growth. It also highlights 12 case studies from countries such as Azerbaijan, India, Israel, and the United States, demonstrating the tangible impact of C4IR’s work on global challenges.
As the WEF expands its global reach by launching new centres in 2025, its mission will remain central to tailoring technological solutions to each region’s needs.
The C4IR Network is a platform for multistakeholder collaboration designed to maximise the benefits of exponential technologies while addressing their associated risks. The WEF launched the first C4IR in 2017 in San Francisco, and since then, the network has expanded to include centres in various countries around the world. These centres focus on AI, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, and energy, driving global innovation and collaboration to create a sustainable future.
Image: The WEF has confirmed the renewal of the C4IR in the United Arab Emirates. Credit: Pavel Danilyuk
Last Updated on 2 weeks by Arnold Pinto
