Former Prime Minister of Malaysia welcomed participants of the Open Dialogue at the National Centre RUSSIA

Former Prime Minister of Malaysia Mahathir Mohamad addressed the participants of the second day of the Open Dialogue "The Future of the World. New Platform for Global Growth" during the session "Presentation of the Future of the World" at the National Centre RUSSIA.

Mahathir Mohamad is known as the person who transformed a raw-material-based country into a leading exporter of high-tech products. The former Prime Minister of Malaysia shared his experience with the experts and essayists of the Open Dialogue and wished them a successful session.

Due to his advanced age, Mahathir Mohamad was unable to attend the Open Dialogue at the National Centre RUSSIA in person — this year he turns 100. He delivered his address in digital format.

"I would like to thank the National Centre RUSSIA for inviting me to speak before you and share my thoughts with the participants of the Open Dialogue, which is held under the slogan 'The Future of the World — New Platform for Global Growth.' Today, the world is in a state of turmoil and uncertainties, both in matters of governance and economy. Technological progress has brought much to humanity, but these very achievements have created dangerous weapons. At the same time, the development of science and technology saves a huge number of lives. The most interesting development is related to artificial intelligence — AI, which promises limitless knowledge in whatever fields that mankind had ever ventured and explored," Mahathir Mohamad emphasized.

The former Prime Minister of Malaysia also noted that the world today is changing at an incredible pace. In order for new technologies to improve people's lives, it is necessary to teach the younger generation how to work with them, Mahathir Mohamad believes.

"Education is especially of the essence, and if these new sciences and technologies can be made accessible to all school-going children, then they will become great tools for a more equitable and just society. I believe we can build a better world in which technologies and intelligence, laced with humanity, will become the basis for the new world growth, and at the same time, the deterrent to wars and belligerence," Mahathir Mohamad said in his address to the participants of the Open Dialogue.

The second day of the Open Dialogue continued with panel pitch sessions featuring experts and essay authors across all four tracks: "Investments in Human Capital," "Investments in Technology," "Investments in the Environment," and "Investments in Connectivity."

The international project Open Dialogue "The Future of the World. New Platform for Global Growth" is taking place at the National Centre RUSSIA from 28 to 30 April 2025. The event brings together international experts from leading think tanks, including 24 world-class experts, as well as from development institutions, academia, government agencies, business associations, youth organizations, science community, and media. Authors of the best essays on the future of the world from 42 countries also joined the event. The works were selected by the expert council of the National Centre RUSSIA from among 696 essays written in 18 languages. In total, the participants of the Open Dialogue represent 48 countries from all continents of the Earth.