The UNLOCK Forum, which will be held between January 14th and 15th of 2018 in Dubai, UAE, will bring together leading international experts on Blockchain technology, as well as more than 400 attendees from across the region. The forum aims not only to increase awareness and knowhow on Blockchain technology and its implementation across various sectors, but also to showcase Dubai Blockchain Strategy’s achievements and future plans for 2020 and beyond. Dubai is revered as one of the only governments globally to have embraced Blockchain in its entirety and across the full spectrum of government services where the technology could be applied.  

Smart Dubai is the office driving Dubai’s citywide smart transformation with a vision to make Dubai the happiest city on Earth. It is the key entity behind implementing the Dubai Blockchain Strategy announced by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF). 

“Dubai has been making great strides in its citywide smart transformation, tapping all cutting-edge technologies in an effort to tailor them to cater to the needs of its citizens,” said H.E. Dr Aisha Bint Butti Bin Bishr, Director General of the Smart Dubai Office. “The Dubai has taken a confident lead in launching bold and pragmatic initiatives and projects that use technology to make people’s lives easier and happier. We, at Smart Dubai, are committed to achieving our mission and objectives to make Dubai the smartest and happiest city in the world and are always ready to provide support for and share our extensive expertise with events and projects that can spread progress and happiness in Dubai and the UAE.”

For his part, Wesam Lootah, CEO of Smart Dubai Government Establishment (SDG) added, “Blockchain is one of the most revolutionary breakthroughs humanity has had in recent years, but the world remains hesitant – and, at times, averse – to explore and use the technology to its full potential. This is not the case in Dubai, where the government launched the Dubai Blockchain Strategy to become the first government in the world to completely forego paper transactions and carry out all of its business through Blockchain technology by 2020. Dubai also recently held the Global Blockchain Challenge, through which we sought to offer a glimpse and a roadmap to the endless opportunities that this technology can offer.”

Blockchain is considered to be the most innovative invention in the past 200 years. It is already being implemented across the financial sector, supply-chain operations, venture capitalist sector, retail, real-estate and more. However, seeing as it is a nascent technology, there is still a lot to learn as it grows and establishes itself.  

Walid Abou Zaki, Executive Director of Al-Iktissad Wal-Amaal, stated, “Unlike the days of the internet boom, innovation today is not only a Silicon Valley trademark; today, with mobile, internet, and the proliferation of technology, the MENA region can embark and build its own innovative Blockchain solutions, applications and platforms. With the support of pioneering governments such as Dubai, it is possible to build an ecosystem that can export expertise to the rest of the world. We are proud to be holding this conference in Dubai, with the support of Smart Dubai, and invite all to participate in creating the future today.”