Abu Dhabi Convenes Global Leaders, Sparking Worldwide Momentum for The Manifesto For Global Industrial Safety For Safer, Resilient Industries

• The Manifesto officially launched at the Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit held during Abu Dhabi Business Week on December 5.

• Top officials from MoIAT, UNIDO, ADIO, and ADCDA were joined by senior industry leaders to support the call for uniting efforts to address emerging and long-standing safety risks worldwide.

• Global consensus forms around the Manifesto, elevating safety investments as drivers of resilience and growth.

• Hosted by ADDED at Abu Dhabi Business Week, #GMIS2024 united leaders and experts to discuss advancing industrial safety and sustainability.

Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit (GMIS), hosted by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) at the Abu Dhabi Business Week, announced today that the Manifesto for Global Industrial Safety has gained widespread recognition and support from leaders and experts across the global industrial ecosystem. Officially launched during the summit’s 2024 edition (#GMIS2024), the Manifesto sets a new global benchmark for safety and sustainability in industrial practices.

Developed by the Global Initiative for Industrial Safety (GIFIS) in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Lloyd’s Register Foundation, the Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit (GMIS), and the Cambridge Industrial Innovation Policy (CIIP), the Manifesto provides a strategic blueprint for stakeholders to harness technology and effectively address safety risks for workers around the world. Top officials from the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, UNIDO, Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority, UAE Cyber Security Council, and Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) were joined by global safety leaders from governments, the private sector, academia, and international organisations to mark the official launch of the Manifesto and support the call to unite global efforts to address emerging and long-standing safety risks affecting workers around the world.

The Manifesto’s five guiding principles were explored during GMIS2024 discussions, which highlighted a clear consensus that investments in enhancing industrial safety are not just necessary for safeguarding the workforce and assets but are also critical drivers of long-term benefits and sustainable growth. Industry leaders and experts emphasised how prioritising advancements in technology and safety standards can lead to improved workforce protection, strengthened operational resilience, and a more sustainable industrial future.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, His Excellency Brigadier Acting Director-General Salem Abdullah Bin Barak Al Dhaheri, Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority Acting Director-General, said: “Investing in safety is not an additional burden but a strategic investment that ensures operational resilience, protects lives, and enhances confidence in industries. Without safety, innovations can become risks that threaten lives and the environment, hindering progress.”

His Excellency Brigadier General Salem added: “The theme of today’s summit, which unites industries, technologies, and ideas, is a clear message that calls for joint action. As industries are globally connected through supply chains, safety efforts must also be linked by a shared vision and integrated global standards.”

H.E. Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cyber Security for the UAE Government, highlighted how the UAE has consistently ranked high in global safety and security indicators, including cybersecurity, where it holds a leading position on the UN’s Global Cybersecurity Index. This underscores the importance of continuing to prioritise safety, security, and collaboration. Partnerships, communication, and information-sharing are vital to maintaining this progress and achieving a resilient and secure future.

The Manifesto outlines five guiding principles and vital contributions required from industry, government, academia, regulators, and international organisations to accelerate the safe adoption of technology in new industrial processes and to integrate technology-enabled safety solutions in traditional industries. Each year, approximately three million deaths worldwide are linked to insufficient safety measures and dangerous working conditions, resulting in an economic loss of 3.9% of global GDP, according to the International Labour Organisation.

H.E. Osama Amir Mohamed Fadhel, Assistant Undersecretary, Industrial Accelerator Sector for the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT), highlighted that, guided by Operation 300bn, the Ministry is crafting industrial policies that attract global investment and ensure the UAE remains at the forefront of global competitiveness. H.E. further highlighted that through the "Make it in the Emirates" initiative, the UAE strengthens global partnerships and propels innovation. He invited investors and companies worldwide to participate in the fourth edition of the "Make it in the Emirates Forum," scheduled to take place in May 2025 at ADNEC in Abu Dhabi.

Luomei Shu, Director of UNIDO Institutional Partnerships, underscored the GIFIS five guiding principles and the critical need for joint action, saying, “We need to ensure that access to technologies is evenly distributed and secured. However, it’s not just one employee, one company, or one country that can improve safety. It is a shared responsibility.”

Mohammed Kamali, Chief Trade and Industry Officer at Abu Dhabi Investment Office, remarked, “Implementing advanced technologies is not only a powerful tool for productivity but also embeds safety as a cornerstone of our industrial evolution.”

Since its initial publication by the Global Initiative for Industrial Safety in September 2024, the Manifesto has resonated with stakeholders across diverse industries and markets. The Manifesto for Global Industrial Safety is available for download at https://www.industrialsafetyinitiative.com/storage/GIFISManifesto2024.pdf.

#GMIS2024 took place on the second day of ADBW at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC). For more information, please visit https://gmisummit.com/.

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About GMIS:

The Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit (GMIS) was established in 2015 to build bridges between manufacturers, governments and NGOs, technologists, and investors to harness the Fourth Industrial Revolution’s transformation of manufacturing and enable the regeneration of the global economy.

To learn more, visit https://gmisummit.com/.

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