UAE – The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is holding the largest international gathering for standards in its first in-person Annual Meeting in more than two years, centered around the theme “collaboration for good”.
The world’s top leaders from standards, business, civil society, academia and media are attending the meeting in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), hosted by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT), ISO member for the UAE.
“In the spirit of collaboration that underpins everything ISO does, we come together this week to work toward solutions.
“I have seen first-hand how standards shape our world. It takes collaborative leadership, agreed standards and regulation, established policies, and great initiative to solve global problems,” ISO President Ulrika Francke commented.
This extraordinary event takes place at a critical moment in history from 19 to 23 September 2022, convening nearly 5 000 participants to tackle global issues and find solutions to the world’s most urgent challenges including climate action, sustainability, water scarcity and energy.
“Standardization has never been so important given the world’s economic and environmental challenges. This week’s meeting is vital not just to the global industrial ecosystem, but more broadly to trade, economies and climate action,” His Excellency Omar Suwaina Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, UAE, said in his opening speech.
He pointed out that standardization, with its impact on trade, has a crucial and long-term role in supporting sustainable economic development.
“By extension, ISO plays an important part in enhancing trade in local, regional and global markets. The UAE shares ISO’s commitment to developing quality infrastructure, not just to support economic growth, but to enhance sustainability and consumer satisfaction,” he said.
Participants will advance long-standing economic, environmental, and societal agendas while addressing urgent global concerns, all while building on the foundations of a global standards system.
The majority of the discussion and debate this week will center on the ISO Foresight Trend Report. Its objective is to advance standardization in light of the increasing complexity of the modern world, says ISO.
The Annual Meeting offers a special setting for reconnecting, exchanging ideas, and advancing standards-related solutions.
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