The Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit (GMIS), hosted by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) at the Abu Dhabi Business Week, announced today (December 5) that the first-of-its-kind 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. 

 

Since its initial publication by the Global Initiative for Industrial Safety in September, the Manifesto has resonated with stakeholders across diverse industries and markets, solidifying its position as a pivotal framework for fostering safer, more sustainable industrial practices. 

 

With over 1,000 sign-ups and interest from leading organisations, the Manifesto is driving transformative change in industrial safety, representing a global call to action which unites stakeholders to ensure that industrial progress and workers safety go hand in hand.

 

The Manifesto marks the first major milestone of the Global Initiative for Industrial Safety, launched as a key outcome of the 2021 edition of GMIS. 

 

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, 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."

 

Brigadier General Salem said: "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."

 

Delivering his keynote address, Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cyber Security for the UAE Government, highlighted how the emirates 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," he stated.

 

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  International Labour Organisations.

 

Powerful keynote addresses were delivered during the summit, showing overall consensus on the need for a common framework to address global safety concerns.

 

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.

 

He further highlighted that through the "Make it in the Emirates" initiative, the UAE strengthens global partnerships and propels innovation.

 

Spotlighting the Manifesto of Global Industrial Safety, Luomei Shu, Director of UNIDO Institutional Partnerships in the Investments and Technology Promotion Offices (ITPOs) and Institutional Partnerships Division, 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. This is certainly possible, if the international community responds to it. However, it’s not just one employee, one company, or one country can improve safety. It is a shared responsibility."

 

Mohammed Kamali, Chief Trade and Industry Officer at Abu Dhabi Investment Office, emphasised the UAE’s proactive role in advancing industrial safety and sustainability.

 

“The Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit is a testament to meaningful collaboration. Implementing advanced technologies is not only a powerful tool for productivity but also embeds safety as a cornerstone of our industrial evolution,” he added.-TradeArabia News Service