Why you should attend this year’s Global Citizen Forum

The Global Citizen Forum Annual Summit, which returns to Ras Al Khaimah this December for a third consecutive year, will once again bring together business and political leaders from across the world to connect, engage, and promote the concept of global citizenship.

This year’s summit promises to build on the momentum generated by last year’s event, which saw the likes of singing sensation and philanthropist Ricky Martin, new age guru Deepak Chopra, and Grammy Award-winning musician and producer Wyclef Jean grace the stage.

2022 Highlights

Staged under the patronage of HH Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah and UAE Supreme Council Member, and in partnership with the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), the 2022 summit welcomed more than 650 speakers and guests, hailing from over 90 countries.

It represented the first instalment of a scheduled ‘trilogy’ of themed annual events staged in Ras Al Khaimah, based on the concept of The Butterfly Effect. The title was inspired by the long-held theory that all things are interconnected, and that every act, no matter how small, can serve as a catalyst for significant change.

In line with this, the 2022 event promoted the theme of Human Metamorphosis and aimed to identify global challenges through the prism of five adaptive pillars: Mobility, Sustainability, Technology, Governance, and Culture.

Through a series of sessions featuring world-renowned experts in their fields, the event showcased the concept of global citizenship and how people can come together to change the world for the better.

The summit featured a host of topical discussions, from global economics and the escalating refugee crisis, to empowering female leadership and unlocking technological advances for human health and wellness.

Summit attracts world-renowned changemakers

The globally renowned event continues to draw an exciting line-up of global changemakers, government leaders, celebrities, and organisations dedicated to unlocking opportunities to create a better world.

In 2022, attendees participated in 22 interactive sessions and immersive experiences led by visionaries and changemakers including Ricky Martin, Deepak Chopra, Richard Quest, Vishen Lakhiani, Karen Wazen, Chris Voss and Wyclef Jean.

Other high-profile speakers and delegates included the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Hon. Gaston Browne; Actor, producer and presenter of La Magia del Caos podcast, Aislinn Derbez; Economist Nouriel Roubini; Member of the European Parliament, Elena Yoncheva; Senior advisor and representative to the GCC Countries, UNHCR, Khaled Khalifa; and vice president and commissioner for Promoting the European Way of Life, European Commission, Margaritis Schinas.

Speakers across the two-day event collectively called for a renewed focus on self-growth and human connection to empower humanity to succeed in our ever-changing world.

Meanwhile, notable attendees at the star-studded Global Citizen Gala, which was staged in support of UNHCR, the Ricky Martin Foundation and the Global Gift Foundation and was hosted by reality stars Sara Al Madani and Kris Fade, included Huda and Mona Kattan, founders of Huda Beaty; Caroline Scheufele, co-president of Chopard; Bobby Sager, acclaimed photographer and humanitarian; and Grammy Award-winning musician, Ashanti.

In addition to an interactive mind-body-spirit programme of events, last year’s summit also sought to play its part from an environmental perspective, planting 700,000 trees in the Brazilian Amazon to offset carbon emissions.

2023 event not to be missed

Following last year’s ground-breaking event, organisers say the 2023 instalment promises to further drive conversations on how the world can collectively bring about global change and empower initiatives that bridge dialogue with action.

Set to be staged at Ras Al Khaimah’s world-class Al Hamra International Exhibition & Conference Centre from 6-7 December, the 2023 summit again promises to bring together world-renowned changemakers, business leaders, heads of state and celebrities, to showcase the spirit of global citizenship, and promote dialogue and cooperation between the people from across the planet for the greater good, while showcasing the opportunities an interconnected world offers all of us.

To discover more about this year’s event, click here

To learn more about the work of the Global Citizen Forum, click here