For the Second Consecutive Year: Dr. Moutaz Al-Riahy at the World Bank Group’s Youth Entrepreneurs Summit in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Moutaz Al-Riahy, CEO of C.R.E.T.A Group , has made a notable return to Washington, D.C., participating for the second consecutive year in the World Bank Group’s Youth Entrepreneurs Summit 2024. The summit, themed “Advancing Progress: Youth Leading Digital Transformation,” is a prestigious gathering aimed at empowering young innovators to shape the future of the digital world.
Dr. Al-Riahy shared insights into his invitation to this year’s summit, where he was selected alongside 250 change-makers from across the globe. His selection underscores the summit’s mission to enable youth to explore innovative ideas that address developmental challenges while equipping them with the necessary tools to spearhead impactful initiatives. The summit also serves as a platform to foster dialogue between young leaders, the World Bank Group, and key global stakeholders, with a particular focus on leveraging technology to tackle development issues.
Dr. Al-Riahy highlighted that the current edition of the summit is primarily focused on accelerating digital transformation by empowering youth to be at the forefront of innovation and positive change.
A Return to the Summit: Dr. Al-Riahy’s Continued Impact
Dr. Al-Riahy’s participation in the 2023 summit marked his initial entry into this global forum, where he was recognized as a leading entrepreneur and delegate. The previous summit concentrated on local solutions as a fundamental approach to addressing global challenges, particularly in the context of climate change and sustainable economic development.
In the 2024 edition,
Dr. Al-Riahy’s contributions revolved around presenting new perspectives in the fields of sustainable energy and the circular economy, utilizing modern technology and artificial intelligence in line with his work and vision. His re-selection for 
the summit was no coincidence; it followed his development of a comprehensive project that employs blockchain technology to create an interactive database. This database is designed to identify problems and propose solutions, effectively connecting international industrial and academic sectors with local communities.
Dr. Al-Riahy described blockchain as a decentralized interactive software system that ensures the highest levels of security and information-sharing among relevant parties. He emphasized its role in promoting sustainable development by enhancing financial inclusion and providing a secure platform to support entrepreneurs in remote areas, thereby creating new job opportunities.
Additionally, Dr. Al-Riahy highlighted the technology’s role in combating climate change through carbon certificate trading and funding renewable energy projects, thus accelerating the transition to a sustainable world. Moreover, he discussed the importance of open and flexible educational platforms that ensure quality education and equal opportunities for all.
Selection Criteria and Global Representation at the Summit
The summit brought together 250 young change-makers from around the world. Dr. Al-Riyahi shed light on the selection criteria, which included innovation and creativity in proposing technological solutions to both local and global challenges, as well as outstanding academic and professional achievements.
Participants were also chosen based on their ability to propose local solutions tailored to different communities, with a focus on their use of modern technology and artificial intelligence in their projects. Their alignment with the United Nations’ and World Bank Group’s Sustainable Development Goals also played a crucial role in the selection process.
The summit featured a diverse group of young entrepreneurs representing various nationalities, adding richness to the discussions and cultural exchange.
Reflecting on the contributions of his generation and their impact on the younger generation, Dr. Al-Riahy described them as pivotal in presenting new ideas and practical solutions, particularly in real-world World Bank projects known as the Challenge Case. “Our participation was instrumental in shaping a more sustainable and inclusive future,” Dr. Al-Riahy stated, echoing the sentiments of Anna Bjerde, World Bank’s Managing Director of Operations, who remarked, “You are not the TikTok generation; you are the generation of artificial intelligence.”