Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government co-edits and authors book on ‘Anticipatory Governance’ as a guide to shape policies for a responsible future
- HE Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri: “Proactivity is a key pillar for the visionary leadership of the UAE, and the book presents a knowledge-rich reference that inspires decisionmakers to build a more sustainable and proactive future.”
- The book was edited by a distinguished group of academics and global experts in governance, including Prof. Melodena Stephens, Professor at MBRSG.
Dubai, 11 March 2025: The Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government (MBRSG) has co-edited the book ‘Anticipatory Governance: Shaping a Responsible Future’. The book offers new insights, in-depth analyses, and studies aimed at supporting policy decisionmakers in developing anticipatory governance systems capable of shaping and adapting to future challenges.
The book was launched at the Investopia 2025 event, in the presence of His Excellency Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy, and Chairman of Investopia. The event focused on the future of investment and took place over two days on February 26 and 27 at the St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort in Abu Dhabi, hosting a series of high-level discussions with leaders and specialists and fostering dialogue on shaping a more prosperous future for 3.5 billion people worldwide.
The book was edited by a distinguished group of academics and global experts in governance, including Prof. Melodena Stephens, Professor at Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government (MBRSG); Prof. Raed Awamleh, Senior Advisor & Governance Expert, General Secretariat, Executive Council, Government of Ajman; and Frederic Sicre, Consultant at Tardis consulting in Dubai, Paris, and Geneva. It features valuable contributions from international researchers and experts.
His Excellency Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri said: “Proactivity is a key pillar for the visionary leadership of the UAE and the advanced approach it has embraced to anticipating and shaping the future. Today, it forms an integral part of the governance element in the new economic model the country has developed, in line with the principles of the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision. This model offers flexibility, sustainability, and competitiveness, while keeping pace with global trends and capitalising on future opportunities.”
H.E. Al Marri stressed that this approach has become essential in governance processes, as well as in the development of legislative and regulatory frameworks for the business environment, ensuring continued economic growth and enhancing the readiness of governments and companies for future developments.
“The launch of the book ‘Anticipatory Governance’ during Investopia 2025 reflects a commitment to fostering global dialogue on the concepts of the knowledge economy and the new economy, as well as the importance of proactivity in the development of future sectors, technology, and innovation,” H.E. explained. “This book serves as an important scientific reference for decision makers and researchers, offering insight, analyses, and innovative tools that contribute to advancing governance mechanisms and supporting the creation of more dynamic and agile economic systems capable of seizing opportunities in an era of unprecedented change.”
His Excellency Dr. Ali bin Sebaa Al Marri, Executive President of the Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government, said: “The book represents a pioneering step in expanding publications in the fields of development and administrative planning, and in promoting scientific dialogue. It is a great resource and reference for decision-makers offering innovative solutions for proactive and forward-looking planning for governments.”
His Excellency said that he was proud of this publication, which was a collaborative effort with leading writers and researchers in administration and government planning. It underscores MBRSG’s dedication to knowledge development, empowering decision-makers to proactively and flexibly shape the future. It also supports research and intellectual initiatives that strengthen and promote modern governance systems.
The book has been endorsed by prominent figures in public administration and policymaking.
Mohamed Alsharhan, Managing Director of the World Governments Summit, emphasised that the book serves as a valuable foundation for understanding how to transform traditional administrative systems into dynamic frameworks capable of adapting to contemporary challenges.
José María Figueres Olsen, Former President of Costa Rica, also commended the book, describing it as “an essential reference for policymakers seeking to build more efficient and innovative governance systems.”
The book introduces Anticipatory Governance as an agile and innovative approach that focuses on predicting and addressing future challenges before they arise, rather than responding to crises after they occur. It examines how governments should foster leadership and skills necessary to understand trends and data to imagine and shape a better future. Further, the chapters look at advanced tools like systems thinking, back casting and technologies, such as predictive analytics, or in silico regulations, to enhance decision-making processes and promote public value. Additionally, the book explores critical issues including early childhood education, space entrepreneurship, crisis management, new technology like cybersecurity, quantum computers and synthetic biology, and other topics that contribute to the development of more resilient and responsive governance systems.
The book enlists 31 contributors from 11 countries. It is divided into four sections, the first of which focuses on what anticipatory governance means, while the second section is about leadership and transformation. The third section entitled ‘Governing Advanced Technology’ focuses on emerging technologies and the impact they can have on the future generation. The fourth section of the book is about ‘Learning from the Past: Guardrails and Opportunities’.
One chapter covered in the book is about the transformation of the space sector. It analyses how advancements in miniaturisation and digitalisation have reshaped global competition in this field. However, the book underscores the importance of long-term planning and sustained budget allocations as essential factors for ensuring continuity and progress in the space industry.
As a practical demonstration of the anticipatory governance approach, another chapter presents a case study from Brazil, where the Ministry of Agriculture employed risk analysis and threat prediction to protect crops from agricultural pests. By applying data analysis techniques, the government successfully prevented the spread of an agricultural disease that could have caused significant economic losses, underscoring the importance of early planning in crisis prevention.
Another chapter, explores strategies for enhancing responses to health crises and natural disasters by using predictive analytics, enabling more precise resource allocation and improving the delivery of humanitarian aid during emergencies.
In its final chapters, the book examines synthetic biology, an emerging technological field with significant potential, alongside its ethical and regulatory challenges. They highlight the topics importance using comics made with generative AI. The authors underscore the necessity of establishing clear regulatory frameworks to maximise benefits while mitigating risks that could have irreversible consequences.
Amid growing global challenges, the book presents a forward-looking vision for advancing anticipatory governance, highlighting that the success of governments in the twenty-first century depends not only on their ability to address problems but also on their capacity to anticipate and prevent them.
A series of virtual panel discussions will be held focusing on the book, the first of which, titled ‘Anticipatory Governance: Shaping the Future in Uncertain Times’, will be held on 11 March 2025 at 9:00 PM on the Zoom platform. To join the session, click the following link: https://mbrsg-ae.zoom.us/meeting/register/IZVB0EWrQZ-LpEWZXRsjOA -END
