It is a pleasure to greet this gathering organized by UNESCO — and I thank you for your focus on developing the world’s ability to look ahead.

That is the essence of the Futures Literacy initiative.

Like other forms of literacy, Futures Literacy enhances our ability to sense, and make sense of, our ever-changing world.

It helps us to prepare for an uncertain future marked by rapid technological advancements, including in artificial intelligence, gene editing, neurotechnologies and robotics. 

And by promoting thinking at the early stages of these and other new developments, it will help us to develop an ethical way forward.

I wish you a successful journey into today’s uncharted expanses and look forward to the contributions that Futures Literacy will make as we strive to build a peaceful, prosperous world for all on a healthy planet.