Summary Report of the Keynote Address: Potential for Technology and Startup Cooperation – The Dubai Innovation Model

Global Investment & Cooperation Forum for Peace and Prosperity (GIFPP)

**Date: ** June 8, 2025
**Venue:** Bangkok, Thailand
**Speaker:** Professor Dr. Martin Spraggon Hernandez – Strategic Advisor to the Governments of Dubai & Abu Dhabi, CEO of MentorVerse, and President of 9S UNION

1. Introduction and Objectives
   In his keynote speech at GIFPP, Professor Martin Spraggon Hernandez presented Dubai’s pioneering innovation ecosystem, emphasizing the potential for technology and startup cooperation between Dubai and GIFPP member countries—including Vietnam, Thailand, the UAE, and others. Under the theme “Potential for Technology and Startup Cooperation: Dubai’s Innovation Models,” he illuminated why Dubai has become a global hub for innovation and how other countries can learn from and partner with it to promote sustainable development and shared prosperity.
2. Key Content of the Keynote2.1. Why Choose Dubai?

   Professor Spraggon highlighted several factors that make Dubai an ideal destination for technology and startup collaboration:
   – Strategic Location: Dubai serves as a gateway connecting the Middle East, the Gulf, South Asia, and Europe, with Emirates airline linking to over 150 global destinations.
   – Business-Friendly Policies: Dubai permits 100% foreign ownership and offers personal income tax exemptions, creating a highly conducive business environment.
   – Government-led Innovation Vision: Initiatives like Dubai 10X, Smart Dubai, Dubai Smart City, Dubai Future Foundation, and the National AI Strategy 2031 propel innovation.
   – World-Class Infrastructure: Robust infrastructure supports rapid growth for startups and enterprises.
   – Easy Access to Capital: A vibrant investment ecosystem exists through hubs like In5 Innovation Hub, AstroLabs, and Hub71.
   – Global Connectivity: Events like GITEX Global and the ArabNet Digital Summit offer extensive international networking opportunities.

   Notable Examples:
   – Area 2071, under Dubai Future Foundation, is an innovation hub that connects startups, universities, and government entities.
   – The Smart Dubai project integrates technology into all aspects of urban life—from AI-driven public services to smart transportation systems.

2.2. What Makes the Dubai Innovation Model Unique?

Professor Spraggon identified four distinctive features of Dubai’s innovation ecosystem:
– Visionary Government Leadership: Initiatives like Dubai 10X promote exponential thinking, aiming for global innovation leadership.
– Public-Private Partnerships (PPP): Collaborative platforms like the Dubai Future Accelerators (DFA) foster co-creation between startups and government agencies.
– “Fail Fast” Culture: The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) encourages experimentation and learning through failure.
– Global Network Integration: Events like GITEX Global connect Dubai with international partners, enabling broad-based cooperation.

Illustrative Case:
– The DFA program enabled startups to work with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Dubai Police on projects like smart traffic management and AI security systems.

2.3. Prominent Examples and Opportunities for Cooperation

Professor Spraggon presented several promising areas for international collaboration:

Smart Cities and Urban Technologies:
– Smart Dubai Initiative: Integrates AI, IoT, and blockchain into smart grids, autonomous public transport, and AI-driven healthcare.
– Dubai Autonomous Transport Strategy: Aims for 25% of transportation to be autonomous by 2030, with solutions such as Mobility-as-a-Service and AI traffic management.

Cooperation Opportunity: Startups from Vietnam and GIFPP countries can collaborate with RTA on smart transportation and urban development technologies.

Fintech and Blockchain:
– DIFC operates a Regulatory Sandbox supporting startup experimentation in blockchain, digital currencies, and AI-driven financial services.

Cooperation Opportunity: Fintech startups from Vietnam (such as those supported by VNSIF) can partner to develop inclusive and transparent financial solutions.

2.4. Key Lessons and Takeaways

Professor Spraggon concluded with several important insights:
– Proactive Innovation Ecosystem: Dubai doesn’t wait for innovation—it creates favorable conditions via policy, capital, and infrastructure.
– Government Partnership Advantage: The Dubai government acts as a co-creator, not merely a regulator, through programs like DFA and the Regulatory Sandbox.
– Global Cooperation Potential: Countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, and Singapore can adopt the Dubai model and collaborate in areas like Smart Cities, Fintech, and AI.
– “Liquid Mindset”: The biggest challenge isn’t generating new ideas—but shedding old mindsets and embracing continuous experimentation and innovation.

3. Significance and ImpactProfessor Spraggon’s keynote provided profound insights into Dubai’s innovation model—not only as a source of inspiration but as a guiding framework for GIFPP member nations. As President of 9S UNION, he underscored that cooperation among countries, especially in technology and entrepreneurship, is key to achieving global peace and prosperity.

   Examples like Smart Dubai, the Autonomous Transport Strategy, and DIFC’s Regulatory Sandbox position Dubai as a living lab for innovation—where startups from Vietnam, Thailand, and beyond can co-create solutions to global challenges such as climate change, inequality, and urban governance.

4. ConclusionProfessor Spraggon’s keynote at GIFPP reaffirmed Dubai’s role as a global innovation model—driven by government vision, public-private cooperation, and exponential thinking. Through strategic areas such as Smart Cities, Fintech, and Blockchain, Dubai opens broad cooperation opportunities for GIFPP member countries, including Vietnam.

   Call to Action: Professor Spraggon urged nations to adopt a “liquid mindset,” break free from outdated constraints, and collaborate with Dubai to build a global innovation ecosystem—where technology and entrepreneurship serve as engines of peace, prosperity, and a sustainable future for Generation Z and beyond.