Baku (UNA) – The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in partnership with Ada University and the Institute of Development and Diplomacy of Azerbaijan, held a roundtable on strategic foresight on Friday (May 10, 2024), with the participation of experts in the field from several countries and from research and strategic planning centers in Azerbaijan, with the aim of exchanging experiences and knowledge on promoting the culture of foresight to contribute to decision-making.
At the beginning of the table, which was held at the university’s headquarters in the Azerbaijani capital, Baku, Dr. Feriz Ismail Zadi, Vice President of Ada University, delivered a welcome speech in which he stressed the importance of the table’s topic, appreciating the role of ISESCO and its keenness to cooperate in the field of strategic foresight and enriching it with in-depth studies, and its important role in disseminating The culture of foresight in the countries of the Islamic world.
In his speech, Dr. Salem bin Mohammed Al-Malik, Director-General of ISESCO, pointed out that the uncertainty the world is witnessing today in terms of the future, successive changes, and emergency events make strengthening strategic foresight an urgent necessity and of utmost importance in dealing with this scene tainted by uncertainty, and confronting its ongoing challenges, to shape A path with clear dimensions, where effective practical scenarios are evident for making the right decisions.
He reviewed the rapid transformations the world is witnessing, led by successive technological development booms, highlighting the effects of employing artificial intelligence on the work environment, which is linked to the loss and decline of traditional professions, and the emergence of unexpected jobs, as expectations and statistics indicate that about 85% of the jobs foreseen in 2030 were not envisioned. After all, this confirms the importance of the role of strategic foresight.
The Director-General of ISESCO stressed the organization’s awareness of the great importance of developing a culture of foresight, and the necessity of encouraging countries to give priority to long-term planning in their action plans, stressing that ISESCO will continually maintain its leading position in adopting foresight through many initiatives, programs and activities.
After that, Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of the Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector at ISESCO, noted the theme of the table, which coincides with Azerbaijan’s approach to anticipating the future, pointing out that the development of the world requires studying possible scenarios for the future and preparing to face challenges and invest in opportunities.
For his part, Dr. Qais Al-Hamami, Director of the ISESCO Center for Foresight and Artificial Intelligence, highlighted the role of university students in shaping the future, as they are the leaders of tomorrow, which requires training and developing their skills to keep pace with the requirements of the future.
After that, the discussion sessions began, on the topics of foresight, management, public policies, and the Azerbaijani experience in the field.
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