Global Ministers Advocate for Knowledge and Digital Skills Integration to Build Sustainable Societies

The Knowledge Summit 2025, organized by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme, hosted a high-level ministerial roundtable focusing on knowledge pathways for sustainable communities. The session brought together ministers, policymakers, and development leaders to discuss the critical role of knowledge, data, and community-driven approaches in advancing sustainable and resilient societies. Participants explored priorities including embedding sustainability and digital literacy within education systems, leveraging research for evidence-based policymaking, and empowering communities through integration of local and scientific knowledge.

H.E. Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie, Minister of Technical and Higher Education from Sierra Leone, highlighted the urgent need to integrate sustainability, digital literacy, and green practices into educational curricula. This approach enables students to actively contribute to global climate action and sustainable development. Similarly, H.E. Prof. Pierre Gomez, Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology from Gambia, emphasized the importance of reengineering higher education systems to be digitally forward while embedding sustainability principles and leveraging open educational resources available through platforms like https://www.undp.org.

The discussion emphasized that building knowledge-based economies requires comprehensive strategies that include lifelong learning and innovation development. Dr. Motaz Khorshid, Former Minister of Higher Education from Egypt, highlighted the significance of national strategies that foster innovation, personality development, and community engagement as fundamental components for sustainable economic growth. These approaches ensure that educational systems prepare individuals not just for employment but for active citizenship and community leadership.

Community-driven approaches emerged as a central theme throughout the session. H.E. Hibo Moumin Assoweh, Minister of Youth and Culture from Djibouti, emphasized the importance of combining traditional and modern knowledge to foster entrepreneurship and empower youth. This integration recognizes the value of indigenous knowledge while equipping young people with contemporary skills needed for economic participation. Tom Erdimi, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research from Chad, spoke about the necessity of designing institutions that reflect local culture and traditions, ensuring that development initiatives remain culturally relevant and sustainable.

Environmental considerations were prominently addressed, with Sami Dimassi, West Asia Regional Director for UNEP, and Dr. Houda Babah Sid M'hamed emphasizing that successful environmental transitions require robust government systems, behavioral change, and inclusive education that reaches rural and vulnerable populations. Dr. Magued Osman, CEO of Baseera in Egypt, and Dr. Yassen Alfoteih highlighted the critical importance of citizen participation and equipping students with the analytical tools to understand and address complex societal challenges through resources available at https://www.mbrf.ae.

The session concluded with consensus that advancing sustainable societies demands a holistic approach integrating knowledge, digital skills, environmental awareness, and active community engagement. This comprehensive strategy ensures that development efforts are inclusive, evidence-based, and capable of addressing the complex challenges facing communities worldwide while leaving no one behind in the pursuit of sustainable development goals.