The foundation highlighted important future issues at Expo 2020

The Karl-Adam Bonnier Foundation closed out 2021 by hosting the Smart Society Summit at Expo 2020 in Dubai. Together with the Swedish Institute and Business Sweden, we invited dignitaries and business leaders from Sweden and the Gulf region to discuss how we can create the smart societies of the future. Both H.M. The King and Minister for Foreign Trade and Nordic Affairs Anna Hallberg attended on site in Dubai.

December 15 was Sweden’s national day at the world exhibition Expo 2020 in Dubai. Throughout the day, extra attention was paid to the Swedish pavilion where the seminar Smart Society Summit was arranged.

Smart Society Summit offered insights from 25 influential dignitaries and business leaders from Sweden and the Gulf region on issues related to electrification, digitisation and innovation in critical sectors such as health, transport, energy and the environment. The purpose was to expose Swedish companies’ and their global partners’ capacity for international cooperation.

Speakers at the event included Dr. Eiman Al-Mutairi, Deputy Minister of Trade, Reem Ebrahim Al-Hashimi, Minister of International Cooperation and CEO of Expo 2020, Björn Rosengren,
CEO ABB, Börje Ekholm, CEO Ericsson, Christina Friborg, Sustainability Director SSAB, Christian Levin, CEO Scania, Martin Lundstedt, CEO Volvo Group, Cecilia Edström, Board Member Bactiguard. The seminar concluded with comments from Jacob Wallenberg, Chairman of Investor. The discussion was led by the foundation’s Forum Manager and moderator Elizabeth Walentin.

The development of the Smart Society Summit took place in close collaboration between the foundation, Business Sweden and the Swedish Institute.

– – In the foundation’s activities, a recurring and important question is how companies can create better conditions for international outreach and accelerate sustainable development. It was therefore obvious for us to become involved in Expo. With the foundation’s broad network of contacts in the business world, we have been able to open doors and contribute with both insights and ideas in the development of the Smart Society Summit. It has been a rewarding collaboration to say the least,’ says Tor Bonnier, chairman of the Karl-Adam Bonnier Foundation.

The World Expo in Dubai, which runs from 1 October 2021 through 31 March 2022, brings together 190 of the world’s countries under the theme ‘Connecting Minds – Creating the Future’. The purpose of the Swedish participation is to strengthen the image of Sweden and Swedish companies abroad.

– – We want the world to see Sweden as a pioneer in the global transition to sustainable growth. That is why it is important that we are present to show tomorrow’s solutions and invite for dialogue on our common challenges. Smart Society Summit was an important piece of the puzzle in that work,’ says Jan Larsson, CEO of Business Sweden.

If you want to access the Smart Society Summit in retrospect, you will find the entire seminar here. You can also listen to the foundation’s podcast, Smart Society Sweden, which was launched in connection with the event. You can listen to the podcast here. During the year, the Karl-Adam Bonnier Foundation will continue to work with the theme Smart Society as part of the regular foundation activities.