The Summit, held under the patronage of the UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior and with the endorsement of the European Commission, examined the critical impact of investments in security, mobility and traceability systems and in identity schemes in particular.

It focused on the overarching objectives of stability, infrastructure development and the strengthening of rule of law and human rights, while looking at new avenues of economic development. These included technology-supported opportunities for increased automation, transparency, accountability and security of transactions. The Summit focused on the multiple drivers of innovation and on how sustainable growth is increasingly pursued through the modernization of ICT infrastructures and identification schemes in particular.

ID World Abu Dhabi 2013, whose activities extended over two days, brought together leading experts from all continents, with speakers from 33 countries actively engaged in the effort to build a common vision and offer a platform for high-profile networking and cross-fertilization, in view of the design and deployment of innovative projects. The Summit was hosted once again by the prestigious and highly influential government organization, the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR). It was supported for the sixth consecutive year by the Emirates Identity Authority, acting as official local endorser welcoming the delegations in the name of the hosting country. Abu Dhabi Police endorsed the inaugural launch of the Future Cities EMEA conference held on the occasion of the Summit.

As annual international gathering and regional appointment of the ID World community, ID World Abu Dhabi built on the success and all-time record attendance of over 500 participants of last year’s event, which established it as a cornerstone, must-attend appointment for government representatives and all players involved in government sector-related innovation, including the Postal and Healthcare sectors. Reaching yet another milestone in 2013, it surpassed all previous editions in terms of quality of attendance and debate, as well as satisfaction of participating organisations involved as sponsors, exhibitors and conference delegations.

“ID World Abu Dhabi 2013 has proved unique in two important respects," says Sophie B. de la Giroday, Host of the Summit and President of Wise Media. “First, it has prompted an interdisciplinary examination by leading technology experts, end-users, as well as policy makers and analysts, of the relationship between digitalisation, statistically secure identity schemes and sustainable economic growth, tracing the progress from technology development to infrastructure development to sustainable economic growth. Second, the Summit has taken place at a time when policies affecting long-term management of migration flows, as well as production and employment, are being discussed and developed.”

The Summit began with a plenary conference session on Global Trends where high-ranking public sector officials from the United Nations, the FBI, as well as State Secretary-level government speakers from emerging countries discussed how present investments in digitalisation, automation and identity technology in particular affect the security, job creation, employment and economic growth of nations and urban aggregates alike. While the Summit was designed to address the impact of the digital revolution and modern identity schemes on sustainable economic growth, it has given particular attention to specific industry sectors and critical areas that call for necessary innovations, which pave the road to the creation of globe-spanning Trust Models and which are most affected in the era of digitalization and cross-border trade and travel.

The Summit’s plenary session was followed by two days of workshops and interactive debate on Services to the Citizens, Delivery Models, Border Control, Managing Global Migration, Track and Trace Systems, Retail and eCommerce, Smarter and Safer Cities, Mobile Payments, Secure Authentication, Transparent Supply Chains, Healthcare Innovation, Postal Innovation, as well as Secure Transactions and necessary innovations for achieving a secure and sustainable digital economy.