AMMAN – HE Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, founder and chairman of Talal
Abu-Ghazaleh Global Digital (TAG.GD), and the
Honorary President of the Bosphorus Summit’s Board of Trustees, inaugurated the
17th Bosphorus Summit in Istanbul.
He delivered his keynote address through an interactive,
program-generated digital twin, which replicates his image and voice. In his
address, he highlighted the escalating global challenges and the surge of wars
and conflicts across the world. He further called for genuine international
action to end such acts and rebuild a just World Order capable of protecting
human life and safeguarding dignity.
Moreover, Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh emphasized that the world is
experiencing today successive crises; some of them human-made and others
resulting from natural disasters, pointing out that the rapidly escalating
global wars over the years compounded by a lack of decisive international
political will to address them, could result in negative consequences extending
far beyond current conflicts.
Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh went on to add that humanity is currently
witnessing severe models of destruction, displacement, extermination,
starvation, torture, and deliberate mass killing in Gaza, West Bank, Lebanon,
and Sudan. He noted that such tragedies need a genuine international stance
that goes beyond silence and hesitation in decision-making to stop aggressions
and hold perpetrators accountable.
Furthermore, Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh stressed that nations responsible for
waging these wars should realize that their continuation will bring nothing but
destruction, devastation, and chaos that will impact all. He asserted that conflicts
among major powers seeking global domination perpetuate crises, making
consensus on a new World Order to control global affairs; one based on justice
and cooperation, free from dominance and subjugation, an urgent necessity.
Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh called for serious action to restore the standing
of the United Nations (UN) and international organizations, enabling them to
fulfill their responsibilities in preventing wars and pursuing peaceful dispute
resolution in accordance with international law and the UN Charter. He noted
that continued silence and hesitation in the face of violations undermine trust
in the international system and the reason for its establishment.
Concerning the Palestinian cause, Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh said that the
ongoing occupation, escalating daily attacks, and the extermination and
displacement suffered by the Palestinian people, represents a profound
international failure that requires action to restore justice and restore
respect for international law, pointing out that the Palestinian people
continue to endure the consequence of this tragedy amid what he described as a
dangerous international silence.
Additionally, Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh shared his vision for humanity’s
future, affirming that peace could be achieved by investing in human
development, not only by stopping wars, and by providing equal access to
education and knowledge for all, and empowering youth with the necessary tools
of technology and innovation to enhance their capacity to shape their future.
In this context, Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh reviewed his newly-launched
initiative, the Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Global Digital Polytechnic (TAG.GDP), driven
by his firm belief that education is a fundamental right for all and that
economic circumstances and geographical borders should never restrict
individuals from acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary for their future.
He clarified that TAG.GDP seeks to build a global digital learning
institution that delivers applied and professional education, enabling
individuals to acquire the knowledge and skills necessitated by today's world,
especially in technology, artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and
innovation. This would positively contribute to building a world where
knowledge opportunities are accessible to all, and where humans are empowered
to shape their futures rather than fall victim to conflicts and wars.
In conclusion, Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh emphasized that a world which
invests in minds and equips youth with the tools of knowledge, technology, and
innovation, offers humanity a genuine opportunity for peace, stability, and
prosperity, stressing that the future of humanity must be built on knowledge
and cooperation, not weapons and conflict.