Opening remarks by Mr Bradley James Busetto at the Summit of the Future side event: A vision for an intelligence-driven future for Maldives"

Your Excellency President of the Republic of Maldives Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, distinguished Cabinet Ministers, Ambassadors and High Commissioners, esteemed guests from the government, academia, civil society and students

Assalam Alaikum and a very good afternoon 

It is with profound gratitude that I extend a warm welcome to you all at this gathering of the Maldives side event for the “Summit of the Future” titled “A Vision for an Intelligence-Driven Future for Maldives.”

We are truly privileged to have this event graced by His Excellency President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. I also extend my sincere greetings to the esteemed Cabinet Ministers, officials from the Government of Maldives, esteemed participants from both public and private academic institutions whose unwavering support and collaboration are crucial to realizing our shared vision for sustainable development for all Maldivians.

I am also especially pleased to welcome Mr. Steve Leonard, a global tech leader and a builder of innovation ecosystems – and also a dear friend - to this event. His expertise and insights will help us understand how a whole-of-society approach to problem-solving can lead to intelligent systems and innovative technologies that can benefit generations to come. 

Today’s event marks a pivotal moment as we align our work with the broader international conversations that will be held at the Summit of the Future in New York from 22 to 23 September 2024.  Recall that the Summit of the Future is about how we all work together for a better present and safeguard the future.   And It is great news that His Excellency the President would be leading the delegation of Maldives for this Summit.

Our primary objective today is to explore how intelligence-driven transformation can effectively address both current and emerging challenges faced by the Maldives.   For example, how can AI and intelligence driven future help increase climate resilience? Or make waste management more efficient? Or increase food self-sufficiency?  Or make government services more easily available to citizens? And diversity the economy. 

The commitment to an intelligence-driven future is not merely a strategic option; it is a critical imperative for ensuring economic stability, social resilience, and environmental sustainability.   Even more fundamentally it should be a driver of good governance - the foundation of any society.  

By focusing on an intelligence-driven future – and thank you to the President for coining that term at the SIDS4 conference earlier in the year - Maldives aims to harness the power of data, technology, and innovation to make informed decisions that will propel the country forward. 

This meeting serves as a call to action for all stakeholders— government leaders, international organizations, academia, civil society, and the private sector—to collaborate in crafting policies and frameworks to enable an intelligence-driven future. By leveraging our collective expertise and commitment, we can position the Maldives as a leader in digital resilience and innovation – and hopefully set a benchmark for other Small Island Developing States. 

I believe Maldives can and must transform itself from Small Island Developing State to the leading Small Island Digital State.   I truly believe Maldives can be the Estonia of the SIDS, a leader in digital transformation that can show the path for other countries. 

I am encouraged by initiatives such as Digital Maldives for Adaptation, Decentralization, and Diversification (DMADD) Project. This project aims not only to enhance our digital infrastructure but also to ensure that the benefits of digitalization reach every citizen, from the bustling capital to the most remote islands. 

It is important to acknowledge the challenges in front of us. The fact of Maldives’ dispersed geography, and the gaps in comprehensive data protection and cybersecurity frameworks, are real hurdles. And the digital divide, particularly gender disparities in access and digital literacy, remains a critical issue that requires real policy solutions.

Our agenda today includes keynote addresses from our esteemed speakers, and I hope a dynamic panel discussion featuring leaders from the Maldivian government, academia, and the tech sector. 

We hope this event sparks galvanizes more energy, more investment, more concrete actions towards an intelligence-driven future. 

Thank you once again for your presence. We look forward to a productive and enlightening discourse as we embark together on this important journey.

Thank you.