The World Governments Summit Organization has announced the release of its latest report, “The ABCD Playbook: Crafting innovative policy,” in collaboration with Oliver Wyman, a global management consulting firm and a business of Marsh McLennan (NYS: MMC), and Knowledge Partner of the Summit.
The comprehensive guide is designed to assist governments and businesses in crafting innovative and enduring policies amidst an increasingly complex global landscape. The report introduces the ABCD framework – Agility, Buy-in, Convergence, and Durability – as essential qualities for successful policy innovation.
In light of recent global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the playbook provides invaluable insights into how agility in policymaking can lead to effective crisis management. The UAE’s exemplary response during the pandemic serves as a key case study within the report. By rapidly adapting policies and infrastructure – such as implementing one of the highest per capita COVID-19 testing rates globally, along with stimulus packages worth AED 388 billion ($107 billion) – the UAE demonstrated how agility can build resilience against future challenges.
The ABCD Playbook also emphasizes stakeholder engagement (Buy-in), aligning new policies with existing frameworks (Convergence), and ensuring long-term effectiveness (Durability). These principles are particularly relevant for GCC governments aiming to foster public-private partnerships, drive economic diversification, and achieve sustainability goals aligned with national visions like UAE Vision 2030.
Reem Baggash: A Guide for Designing, Developing, and Implementing Effective, Flexible, and Sustainable Policies
Reem Baggash, Deputy Director of the World Governments Summit Organization for Strategy, Content, and Communications, emphasized that the Innovative Policy Quadruple Framework serves as a practical guide for governments and organizations to design, develop, and implement policies that are effective, agile, and sustainable. She noted that the framework is tailored to meet current demands while addressing future challenges and evolving dynamics. It aims to deliver measurable outcomes that positively impact various sectors and enhance the overall quality of life within communities.
Baggash further stated that the World Governments Summit Organization is committed to enriching government knowledge through the latest trends, methodologies, frameworks, and innovative solutions. This is achieved through specialized forward-looking reports published in collaboration with leading knowledge members, think tanks and academic institutions from around the globe. She noted that the Innovative Policy Framework is part of a broader series of reports and research papers released by the Summit throughout the year, reaffirming its role as a global hub for advancing government knowledge and expertise.
Sami Mahroum, Director of Public Policy at Oliver Wyman, commented on the significance of the report: “In today’s fast-paced world, it is crucial for businesses and policymakers in the UAE and across the GCC region to adopt innovative approaches that are not only responsive but also sustainable over time. The ABCD Playbook offers a strategic framework that empowers decision makers to navigate complexities while leveraging our region’s unique strengths. By emphasizing these qualities, organizations can effectively manage complex environments, ensuring that policies not only meet immediate demands but also remain effective and relevant over time.”
The playbook stresses tailoring these principles to local contexts – considering governance models and socio-cultural dynamics – to maximize policy impact. It serves as a “compass” for navigating complex environments and creating impactful solutions that harness innovation and technology.
Borko Handjiski, Partner, Government and Public Institutions at Oliver Wyman, and co-author of report, added: “This playbook isn’t just about frameworks – it’s about providing roadmaps enabling regions like ours to lead the way in crafting innovative and enduring solutions. By applying these insights from The ABCD Playbook, businesses and governments in the GCC can enhance their policy design processes – ensuring they remain competitive on a global scale while addressing local needs effectively.”
Comprehensive Methodology
The report presents in-depth insights into the role of resilience in effective crisis management policymaking. It highlights the UAE’s exemplary response during the COVID-19 pandemic, showcasing the country’s ability to swiftly align policy with infrastructure—evidenced by implementing one of the highest COVID-19 testing rates per capita globally and launching stimulus packages totaling AED 388 billion (USD 107 billion). These measures underscore how proactive governance can foster resilience in the face of future challenges.
The Innovative Policy Quadruple Framework also emphasizes the importance of engaging stakeholders from the private sector and broader society, as well as aligning new policies with existing frameworks to ensure long-term effectiveness and sustainability. These pillars are especially vital for governments in the GCC region, which are focused on strengthening public-private partnerships, accelerating economic diversification, and advancing sustainability goals in line with their national visions.
Key highlights of the report
- Agility: The report emphasizes dynamic policymaking. The UAE’s rapid response during crises like COVID-19 serves as a model for leveraging existing assets against emerging challenges.
- Buy-in: Stakeholder engagement is crucial for policy success. Case studies such as Singapore’s NEWater recycling initiative illustrate how public participation transforms policies into shared responsibilities with long-term impact.
- Convergence: Aligning new policies with existing frameworks is essential. The European Green Deal exemplifies how synchronized strategies can support ambitious sustainability goals like those under UAE’s Net Zero 2050 initiative.
- Durability: Policies must adapt while maintaining core objectives; examples include Japan’s energy efficiency Top Runner Program demonstrating built-in adaptability ensures long-term success.
Relevance to the region
The UAE and GCC countries lead global innovation efforts towards economic diversification and technological advancement, particularly in these areas:
- Enhance resilience amid global disruptions.
- Foster public-private partnerships driving innovation.
- Align policies with national strategies (e.g., Vision 2030).
- Build public trust through inclusive policymaking.
You can find the full report here: https://bit.ly/4dROYav
